About the Maine Brewers Cup
The Maine Brewers Cup is a new statewide professional beer competition organized by the Maine Brewers’ Guild, celebrating the exceptional quality, creativity, and craftsmanship of Maine-made beer.
Launching in 2027, this competition brings together breweries from across Maine to showcase their work, receive valuable feedback from qualified judges, and earn recognition among their peers.
Featuring 21 medal categories encompassing more than 130 recognized beer styles, the Maine Brewers Cup celebrates the diversity of Maine’s brewing community and the people behind every pint.
Enter the 2027 Maine Brewers Cup
Registration opens November 15, 2026! All licensed, operating Maine breweries are eligible to participate, regardless of Maine Brewers’ Guild membership status.
Early bird registration is available through December 11, 2026. Registration closes February 5, 2027.
Before registering, please review the official competition documents to ensure your entries meet all eligibility, category, and submission requirements.
Competition at a Glance
Eligibility
Licensed, operating Maine breweries. Guild membership is not required.
All beer submitted must be commercially produced in Maine.
Entry Fees
Guild Members:
$40 early bird / $45 standard
Nonmembers:
$100 early bird / $105 standard
Registration
November 15, 2026 – February 5, 2027
Early bird ends December 11, 2026.
Beer Drop-Off
Regional locations:
February 1–5, 2027
Baxter Brewing:
February 8–12, 2027
Judging
February 17–21, 2027
Baxter Brewing
Interested in judging or stewarding? Scroll down to apply.
Awards
March 5, 2027
Battle of the Brewery Bands, following the New England Craft Brew Summit
Entry limits: Up to three beers per category and 40 beers total per brewery. Breweries entering more than five beers receive an additional $5 discount on each entry beyond the fifth.
Competition Categories & Rules
The inaugural Maine Brewers Cup features 21 medal categories encompassing more than 130 recognized beer styles. Judging will primarily follow the 2026 Great American Beer Festival Style Guidelines, with select exceptions using BJCP guidelines.
Breweries should review the official Competition Rules & Entry Guide and Maine Brewers Cup Style Guide before registering. These resources outline eligibility, categories, entry limits, packaging requirements, beer drop-off instructions, and judging procedures.
Beer submission: A minimum of 64 ounces of beer is required per entry. At least four individual containers are strongly recommended. Glass growlers are not accepted.
Judging & Awards
Entries will be evaluated in a professional, blind judging environment by qualified judges, including professional brewers, industry veterans, beer buyers, and BJCP-certified judges.
Participating breweries will receive first-round judging scoresheets electronically following the awards announcement, offering feedback on aroma, flavor, appearance, mouthfeel, and overall execution.
Gold, silver, and bronze medals will recognize excellence across the competition’s 21 categories. Additional honors include medals for beers brewed with 100% Maine-grown grain and Brewery of the Year awards for small and large breweries.
Winners will be announced March 5, 2027, following the New England Craft Brew Summit.
Become a Judge or Steward
Help make Maine’s first statewide professional beer competition a success!
We’re welcoming applications from experienced judges, BJCP-certified judges, brewery professionals, and enthusiastic volunteers interested in stewarding.
Applications are open through January 15, 2027.
Support the Maine Brewers Cup
The Maine Brewers Cup is made possible through the support of industry partners who believe in celebrating and strengthening Maine’s independent brewing community.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses interested in supporting the competition and connecting with Maine’s brewers.
For questions about the competition, registration, or sponsorship, contact info@mainebrewersguild.org.