Alcohol-Free Beer Boom Sparks New Category at Perth Royal Food Awards
The 2026 Perth Royal Food Awards are set to showcase Western Australia's finest beers, from crisp lagers and juicy IPAs to innovative fruit-forward brews, as entries officially open for the prestigious competition. In a significant development, this year's awards will feature a brand-new dedicated trophy for alcohol-free packaged beer, acknowledging the rapidly expanding popularity of zero-alcohol options across Australia and beyond.
Recognising a Maturing Market
Organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of WA, the Perth Royal Food Awards beer competition is the first category to launch for the 2026 awards season, inviting breweries nationwide to submit their top products for blind judging by independent industry experts. Head judge Dan Feist, a Perth-based brewer with nearly twenty years of global experience, emphasised that the introduction of the alcohol-free category mirrors evolving drinking habits and a more mature consumer market.
"Non-alcoholic beer has been growing quickly, both internationally and here in Australia," Mr Feist stated. "We examined last year's entry data and identified sufficient non-alcohol beer submissions to justify a separate category. It's an incredibly exciting area where brewers are beginning to innovate extensively."
Driving Forces Behind the Shift
Mr Feist attributed this shift to a broader wellness movement and changing attitudes towards alcohol, particularly among younger demographics. "Brewers are responding to that demand by developing new techniques and fermentation methods to create alcohol-free beers that still deliver flavour, balance and drinkability," he explained. Judges will evaluate entries through a rigorous blind tasting process, focusing on appearance, aroma, flavour, and style and technical quality to award gold, silver, or bronze medals based on established quality benchmarks.
Even within the alcohol-free category, Mr Feist stressed that brewing fundamentals remain unchanged. "It's still judged within the style—whether it's a lager, pale ale or IPA," he said. "The key elements we're seeking are balance and drinkability. The beer must taste authentic to its represented style and remain enjoyable to consume."
Expanding Competition and Strong Local Scene
The Perth Royal Food Awards beer competition continues to rank among the program's most popular categories, typically attracting between 400 and 500 entries annually. The addition of the alcohol-free category is anticipated to draw even more submissions this year, as breweries aim to highlight their innovation in this fast-evolving market segment. This year's judging panel will comprise approximately 50 judges and 20 associate judges from across Australia, with experts travelling interstate to participate.
Mr Feist praised Western Australia's robust brewing scene, noting a diverse mix of regional producers, destination breweries, and hospitality venues crafting award-winning beers. "WA is a really interesting beer landscape," he remarked. "We have established breweries consistently producing high-quality beers, alongside newer brewers executing highly innovative projects. From breweries in Subiaco to destination venues in Margaret River, there's tremendous activity happening here."
Partnerships and Previous Success
Last year, Western Australia's Margaret River Brewing Co. secured the competition's top honour, Champion Beer, for its In the Pines IPA. The competition will also maintain its partnership with the Pink Boots Society, a global organisation supporting women and non-binary individuals in the fermentation industry. Through the Pathway to Judging program, two participants will engage in this year's competition—one as an associate judge and another in the stewarding team—gaining hands-on experience and mentorship in accredited judging.
Entries for the Perth Royal Food Awards Beer competition close on March 20. Judging is scheduled from April 22 to April 23, with winners to be announced in May, spotlighting the best in both traditional and alcohol-free brewing excellence.
