The U.S. Open Beer Championship, in its 18th year, will continue having the U.S Open Hard Seltzer Championship in the same competition timeline. Both competitions will take place during the same time frame, and the entry and receiving deadlines will fall on the same dates.

Although the Beer and Hard Seltzer Competitions will be taking place at the same time, the U.S. Open will continue to recognize two separate Grand National Champions and Top 10 for each competition. Each competition will have its own set of winners according to their respective categories.

The Hard Seltzer Championship will continue the THC category, as beverage producers continue to innovate with THC products. THC seltzers will fall under the non-alcoholic category 29.

Call for Entries

• 30 categories will be judged in 2026.
• Each company may enter up to 15 Hard and non-alcoholic seltzers.
• Entry fee: $85 per entry.
• Companies submitting five or more seltzers will be considered for the Grand National Champion award.
• Entry Deadline: May 22, 2026
• Arrival window: May 26–June 5, 2026

Awards & Recognition

• Traditional U.S. Open beer stein medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
• Company of the Year awards with iconic trophies.
• Overall winner crowned Grand National Champion with an in-person trophy presentation by the Directors.

U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Categories
1. Fruit
2. Fruits(2)
3. Mixed Fruit(3 or more)
4. Cherry
5. Orange
6. Herb & Spice
7. Lemon-Lime
8. Lemon/Lemonade
9. Limeade
10. Flavored Lemonade
11. POG
12. Mango
13. Cucumber
14. Watermelon
15. Grapefruit
16. Peach
17. Pineapple
18. Fruit & Berry
19. Berry
20. Blueberry
21. Raspberry
22. Blue Raspberry
23. Blackberry
24. Strawberry
25. Mixed Drink
26. Margarita
27. Agave
28. Cake, Pie & Pastry
29. Non-Alcoholic Seltzer(THC, Kava, ETC)
30. Anything Goes

Cheers, and wishing you the best of success,

Dow and Spencer