Canyon Brewing Scores Big At 2025 New Zealand Beer Awards August 2025

Canyon Brewing has made a bold debut at the 2025 New Zealand Beer Awards, taking home an impressive seven medals from eight entries - including the coveted Best in Class trophy for its Vacation Hazy Pale Ale.

Held in Ōtautahi Christchurch, the annual Brewers Guild event brought together the best of Aotearoa’s brewing industry to celebrate craftsmanship, creativity and quality across the board. It marked the first time Canyon Brewing had entered the awards.

“Amazing work from our small brewing team, to be recognised on a national scale against so many amazing breweries was a true honour.” says Head Brewer Kit Clinton-Baker.

The competition was fierce, with the Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale category alone drawing 57 entries. Canyon’s Vacation Hazy Pale Ale stood out among just three golds awarded, ultimately claiming the trophy.

The night also brought recognition beyond the beers themselves. Canyon Brewing received an honourable mention in the Sustainability Award presented by New World for its commitment to low waste brewing, local sourcing, and regenerative practices - including growing its own malt in Central Otago and repurposing brewing by-products. The nod reinforces Canyon’s mission to craft beer that not only tastes good, but does good too.

Canyon Brewing's results:

Trophy Winner

• Vacation Hazy Pale Ale – Best in Class (Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale)

Gold Medal

• Vacation Hazy Pale Ale – Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale

Silver Medals

• A Feijoa Sour – Fruit & Flavoured

• Cardrona Hazy IPA – Juicy/Hazy IPA

• Zenkuro Dry Yuzu Rice Lager – Specialty & Experimental

Bronze Medals

• The Front Pilsner – NZ Lager & NZ Pilsner

• Canyon Gold Central Otago Lager – International Lager

• Punk Rat Double NZIPA – India Pale Ale

Canyon extends congratulations to all the award winners, including fellow Queenstown brewery, Altitude Brewing. The results are a testament to the incredible quality coming out of our region, and a strong reminder that Queenstown really is the home of the hazy. If you needed an excuse to explore the NZ Ale Trail, this is it.

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