From spicy pickle beer to a can that must be inverted three times before pouring, here’s what we thought about the winners.

The craft beer aisle is enticing. Rows of colourful cans gleaming, it calls out to the idle shopper and says “you deserve a little treat”. Cheaper than a nice bottle of wine, more expensive than the swill you drank at uni – a singular can of craft beer, paired, perhaps, with a bag of chips, can provide the scaffolding for a stellar Friday night. Enjoy on the couch with the TV going or at sunset, on a picnic blanket with mates. But which can to choose? There is no illusion of choice in the craft beer aisle. The choices verge on overwhelming. There are cans from here, there, everywhere. There are fresh hops, APAs, IPAs, XPAs, ciders, nitros, sours – the list goes on.

If you’re prone to analysis paralysis, you can now chill out because the 2025 New World Beer & Cider Awards winners have just been announced. Think of it like a list of strong recommendations from your mate who knows way more about this world than you do. Judged by experts, the 25 winning cans come from the best, boldest and most innovative brewers in Aotearoa. 25 is still a lot to choose from though, so The Spinoff’s most discerning drinkers tried and reviewed 10. Here’s what we thought.

McLeod’s Blue Sky American Pale Ale

The older I get the more I find myself craving a “proper beer”, and the more I find myself drawn to Waipu’s finest, McLeod’s. They’ve been there all along, of course, but for the first decade or so of my craft beer drinking life I didn’t give them a second look, probably put off by the same small-town art gallery design aesthetic I now appreciate for its quiet dignity. Blue Sky – I bet they don’t even know that’s the name of a social media platform, and I love them for that – reminds me of the very first APAs I ever tried, amazed to have discovered a beer that was like an IPA but even nicer. It’s got plenty of hops, obviously, but it’s clear these guys give equal care to the malt, and I’m increasingly convinced that’s what makes all the difference. / Calum Henderson

Other takes:

“The can is giving Rita Angus mixed with RM Williams.” – Te Aihe

“Strong hops, the grapefruit comes through very tangy, not too heavy, maybe good for a session.” – Liam

Urbanaut Beat Street Hazy IPA

All beers should be low carb beer because as Urbanaut proves, you can remove the carbs and keep the flavour. “It makes me feel better about myself as I scoff this pizza”, one Spinoff staffer remarked as they grabbed another slice. Beat Street is dry and drinkable, with a light bitterness and distant fruit. Like seeing fruit salad through a bakery window or the memory of an apricot. I’ve always enjoyed the Urbanaut Cinematic Universe of beer design, with each of their labels distinct but within the same world. This can’s bright, floral livery is looking forward to the summertime on a crispy August day. / Ben Fagan

Other takes:

“This feels like it could be the beer of choice at a poetry slam… a Beat Street with your beat poetry??? I’d drink to that.” – Cal

“A nice summer beer, I could have two or three at sunset.” – Liam

“Makes me feel better about myself as I scoff this pizza. Not enough body for me though.” – Te Aihe

Garage Project Spicy Pickle Beer

This is not a beer for those looking to settle in for the night. This is an Occasion Beer. Picture it: you’re at a summer backyard barbecue, there’s meat cooking and potato chips on the table to tide you over. You just want one refreshing drink that’ll go well with everything and be a little bit fun. The Spicy Pickle Beer is what you need. It’s light and punchy, and really does taste like spicy pickle. Best of all, it won’t leave you with a heaviness in your gut the way other drinks tend to. I wouldn’t recommend drinking this at home in front of your heat pump, but for an unusual beer it can’t be beat. Lovely fun can design too. / Mad Chapman

Other takes: 

“I love it. I could session this.” – Jin

“Instant heartburn.” – Cal

“This would give me hectic reflux on its own… with a salty chip though? Yum.” – Bec

“Light and refreshing.” – Gemma

“This is not it for me, but seems like it’d pair nicely with a Fritz’s wiener.” – Liam

Isthmus 3D IPA

Jim Morrison once said “the west is the best” and while there is no evidence suggested by the Lizard King community that he was talking about West Coast IPAs, I reckon he would have found solace in this gentle yet complex drop. The layering of three hop dimensions into a well-balanced citrus toned beer is simply beyond this realm. Get a can and go write some poetry in the desert, you coward. / Guy Annan

Other takes:

“I feel like I can hear this beer. And it’s loud rock.” – Cal

“It has a heavy caboose. Strong on the backend. Real hoppy.” – Te Aihe

“Screams bachelor pad.” – Ellie

Good George Old School Alcoholic Lemonade

I wouldn’t normally go for an alcoholic lemonade. But I’ve been on a citrus buzz lately (’tis the season) and have made this lemon loaf four times. So when I sipped this bevvy, I was surprised, but also delighted, to find that it tastes like the lemon glaze that goes on the lemon loaf but in a sippable form. Tasting notes are icing sugar cut with citrus. It balances sweet with sour and fizzes softly on the tongue. Several people in the office said that this one tastes like Lift with a percentage. Lift goes great with fish and chips (especially if you’re really dusty) and I think this can will too. They’ve also kinda nailed the name here – Lift has been around since the 90s. Very summery. / Liv Sisson

Other takes:

“Tastes like a Lift.” – Bec

“Tastes like a Lift.” – Tina

“Tastes like a Lift.” – Mad

Peckham’s Cidery & Orchard Classic Apple

I really love cider. I went through this phase of drinking Pals and other vodka style premix drinks, and I have to say that those taste like floor cleaner to me now. If I stuck with those, I thought, I would eventually end up looking like Beetlejuice. So, I turned my refined palate to cider. Now that I have a few favourites on rotation, cider is a preamble to my evening glass of red. In saying that, I have been drinking the Peckham’s range off the tap at Beer Spot and it is yum. This one is fizzy and has a caramel taste to it as well which makes me think of pudding, but it’s not too sweet so the balance is fully there. You could enjoy a few of these and feel pretty good, the colour is that of the beautiful amber like Kauri gum. I would definitely purchase and enjoy this. / Bec Murphy

Other takes:

“Smells like uni. Quite caramelised and cinnamon-y.” – Ellie

“Looks very organic.” – Guy

“I would drink this everyday at a festival and hold it too long.” – Mad

“Can design could be a bit poppier.” – Tina (designer)

Lakeman Primate Pilsner

While the artwork might have you believing this is some kind of hectic energy drink intended exclusively for 20-year-old males, don’t be deceived. Inside is a surprisingly light and easygoing brew. It’s lovely to knock back on a sunny day but still retains enough of the grassy zing that a pilsner aficionado would expect. As I sip and enjoy the gentle bitterness of the Primate Pilsner, I can’t help but wonder: how many beer-drinkers will make the mistake of passing over the Lakeman’s leering mug in favour of a lesser-tasting-but-more-appealing 440ml can? Don’t make that mistake. This delicious Taupō brew is the one for you. / Te Aihe Butler

Other takes:

“Tastes better than the packaging suggests.” – Mad

“I can see myself drinking this while watching rugby league.” – Cal

“Tastes like what it says on the can. Refreshing.” – Jin

“Pretty clean, quite light for a medium strength beer. Good for a session.” – Liam

Altitude Remarks IPA

This is a strong hazy that tastes lighter than it is, making it a dangerous session IPA. This is the brew you have after a big sesh on the slopes. The thick and creamy texture carries mellow, sweet notes of pineapple, peach, and nectarine with a slight tang from grapefruit. The cloudy consistency helps mellow out the otherwise strong fruit flavours. Nelson hops give this brew a distinctive cool-climate, white-wine fruitiness that sits on the pallet without punching you in the face. It’s juicy and bold, yet soft and mellow at the same time – everything you want from a full strength IPA. / Liam Rātana

Other takes:

“Picture this: you’re skiing. You’re five hours in. It’s perfect.” – Guy

“Feel like this is the beer I end up with every time I tell whoever’s buying the round to ‘surprise me’…” – Cal

“This is a garage beer. My dad would drink this after being in the garage all day. He’d sip it alone in the garage before coming into the house.” – Mad

Parrotdog Coconut Hazy IPA

This is the second or third beer you’d order at a craft beer bar while catching up with a friend you haven’t seen in a while. It’s fruity and mellow. It’s not too coconutty and is worryingly drinkable for six percent. It makes you look interesting, while secretly getting away with ordering a beer that tastes, for the most part, like a beer. “I ordered the Parrotdog Coconut Hazy,” you’d say. “Wow, what an interesting choice,” your friend would reply. “You must be very cool and interesting.” Meanwhile, you’d know that you’re drinking a beer that isn’t an upsetting novelty, but a chill, easy-drinking hazy. / Robbie Nicol

Other takes:

“I didn’t like that one.” – Bec (committed cider drinker)

“I’d probably drink this in Wellington, on a craft beer odyssey.” – Cal

“Smells nice, but does not taste like coconut.” – Jin

Three Sisters Lush Sour

I’ve always enjoyed fruity beers – they’re my beverage of choice when I’m out for just one drink. Lush by Three Sisters Brewery takes it to another level and I’m here for it. This is the perfect drink for brunch or a summer afternoon with friends, when you’re craving something fruity but not savoury, refreshing but not punchy. It’s ideal when you’re not quite ready for a cocktail but need something more interesting than your regular offerings. For the best drinking experience, I would serve Lush cold in a fun glass, perhaps with ice. Just don’t be fooled into expecting a bubbly, hazy ale when you pour. As the label suggests, this quite literally looks and tastes like a real fruit smoothie. If Guinness is a meal in a glass, this is the fruity, fun younger sibling. / Gemma Spring

Other takes:

“Doesn’t taste like a beer. I like it like I like juice. Mainly tastes of feijoa.” – Robbie

“If someone gave me this and didn’t tell me it was beer, I’d like that.” – Mad

“Tastes like something you’d drink when trying to get over a cold by mainlining as much Vitamin C as possible… while also wanting to get drunk.” – Cal