2025

BY TOM FIRTH, COMPETITION DIRECTOR, ALBERTA BEVERAGE AWARDS

On July 16, 2025, I walked in the door around dinnertime after three days of running the 13th edition of the Alberta Beverage Awards, put my feet up, and promptly took a nap.

It takes a heck of a lot of effort to put on a competition like this.

This year was smaller than most years – primarily due to a decided lack of American products, but at the same time, we had no better time to work with, taste, and promote other countries from around the world, and also from right here at home in Alberta.

Consumption trends continue to see most Albertans purchasing less alcohol in general, but we are so proud of our efforts to diligently work with all manner of non-alcoholic or alternative beverages – and take them as seriously as everything else – not something that virtually any other competition of this type can claim. We task our judges with not only finding what is “good” but also what “best” serves the consumer. It’s not easy keeping those two things in mind, but we work very hard at it.

One thing we do hear from producers and representatives of these products is “why should we enter this year? We don’t have anything new/We already won an award with this”. Tastes change, the market changes, and your competitors are moving forward too. A popular product from ten years ago might be still great, but the shelves and locals have lots of other great examples of the type too – does yours still stand out? Is a high tide floating all boats?

So with that, we do want to thank all the people in the beverage industry who trust us with their products, recognize the efforts we undertake to put on a great competition, and who use our results to share the good news with their patrons, reach new and enthusiastic consumers, and help trumpet the world-class selection of products we have in Alberta.

Thanks to our diligent and hardworking stewards and the rest of the team - Len Steinberg, Mairi, Paul, Grant, Alita, Pat, Colleen, and Dana. Our Stewards truly make this possible. We want to thank our sponsors: Medium Rare Chef Apparel, The Import Vintners & Spirits Association, The Alberta Liquor Store Association, Rök Water, and Spirit Wares as well as our venue, Calgary’s Carriage House Hotel & Conference Centre. Their excellent facilities and wonderful staff make our jobs easier. Special thanks to our photographer Jason Dziver, and to our valued judges who are featured later in these pages.

As every Alberta liquor store is different, in many cases we’ve included a rough range for the retail price – but it also never hurts to check the producer’s website to see about going right to the source. Each product also has a “CSPC” number, which can be used to help you find it at your local retailer or at liquorconnect.com.

Some products also have a symbol to identify products that not only did well this year, but also in previous years, so you know that this product is consistently good. Tastes change, and we love seeing these consistent award winners gracing these pages.

We’ve also split out the results into four broad sections. Wine, beer, spirits, and all the other wonderful, diverse products that encompass the world of beverages. Please take special note of categories you currently enjoy, but do take a look in the other sections – your new favourite tipple might be in there.