2025 Canned Challenge Plus Winners Announcement!
We are excited to announce that the judges have finalized the results.
Congratulations to all entrants, judges, and staff for all of your support!
2025 Double Gold Winners:
•Drink Wisconsinbly Cran Apple Vodka Cocktail
•Drink Wisconsinbly Cran Apple Vodka Cocktail
•Tieton Cider Works Huckleberry
•High Noon Tequila Seltzer High Noon Tequila Grapefruit
•High Noon Vodka Seltzer Vodka Grapefruit Seltzer
•Gigli Pineapple Mojito THC-Infused
•SOTO SAKE CORP SOTO Junmai Sake
2025 Packaging and Design Double Gold Winner
Currently Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc
For the complete list of 2025 winners,
The Canned Challenge Plus is the world's first professionally judged competition to define excellence in ready-to-drink alcoholic and infused drinks. The Canned Challenge Plus Tasting Contest will be conducted double-blind by a prestigious panel of mixologists, bartenders, beverage professionals, sommeliers, buyers, and trade members. The Canned Challenge Packaging and Design Contest will be juried by a committee of art directors, designers, and retailers, focusing on critical elements that help a brand stand out.
Ready-made alcoholic drinks are a rapidly growing market that offers convenience and enjoyment in a wide range of situations, including at home, on the beach, at events, on the boat, on the golf course, or while camping. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this growth, making canned alcoholic drink products the fastest-growing category in the beverage industry.
The 2026Canned Challenge Is coming soon! Canned and RTD beverages in all packaging types (canned, bottled, boxed, Bag-in-box, Tetra Pak®, pouch, etc.) in the following categories:
•Hard Seltzer •Spiked Spritzers •Premixed / Ready-To-Drink (RTD) Cocktails •CBD-infused •THC-infused •Hemp-infused •Non-alcoholic •Mixers •Hard Cider •Hard Kombucha •Sake
Are You Ready to Prove You're Ready to Drink Adult Beverage Stands Among the Best?
Enter the world's first professionally judged competition to define excellence in ready-to-drink alcoholic and infused drinks, judged by 24 of America's most respected, certified spirits authorities and buyers. Gain credibility, secure new distribution deals, and elevate your brand's reputation.
Why Enter?
✔ Get Discovered by Distributors, Importers, and Investors
Winning can help you land deals and grow your business.
✔ Build Customer Trust and Sales
Consumers trust award-winning brands over competitors.
✔ Win or lose, You Gain Exposure and Valuable Information
All winners receive publicity and social media promotion, are featured in Wine Country Magazine, and receive expert judge feedback.
✔ Gain Expert Insight
Every entrant may request copies of our professional judging sheets with notes from our industry-leading judges.
Winners Get Over $1,500 in Benefits.
- Physical die-cast medals ($60 value)
- Downloadable Digital Medal Graphics ($200 value)
- Publicity and coverage in Wine Country International ® magazine, reaching 600,000 affluent enthusiasts, and press release distribution to all national beverage news outlets. ($1500 value)
- Actual scores provided (100 pt scale) ($50 value)
- Recent studies have shown that 75% of consumers prefer to purchase award-winning products, and distributors and retailers favor representing brands that have received recent accolades.
- Showcase your results to grow your business.
How The Competition Works
We've made entering simple. Just follow these steps:
- Register & Pay – Secure your spot before Friday, October 10, 2025.
- Send Your Samples—Please ship eight 12 oz cans or any other packaging container (equivalent ounces=144) to us by October 14, 2025.
- Get Judged by Industry Experts – Our panel of 30 elite spirits/ drinks authorities scores your product.
- Win & Gain Recognition – Medals, media exposure, and credibility await the best brands.
