Frequently Asked Questions

America's Best Beverages is an annual competition recognizing the best functional, non-alcoholic, and adult alternative beverages on the market. Founded in 2024, the competition brings together industry experts to evaluate products across a wide range of beverage categories and crown the year's top performers.

Any beverage brand with products sold or intended for sale in the United States may enter. Startups, emerging brands, and established companies are all welcome.

Simply complete the online entry form, select your beverage category, and submit payment. After registration, you'll receive detailed instructions for shipping your product samples.

Shipping instructions and sample submission deadlines will be provided closer to the judging date. Once your entry is confirmed, we'll email detailed shipping information, including where to send samples and the quantity required. Please do not ship products until you receive these instructions.

Entry fees vary depending on the current registration period. Visit our Entry Page for current pricing and promotional offers.

Yes. Volume discounts are available for brands entering multiple SKUs. Discounts are automatically applied during checkout.

The entry deadline is September 31, 2026.

All products are evaluated through a blind tasting process. Judges assess beverages on taste, aroma, appearance, innovation, functionality, packaging, and overall consumer appeal.

Products compete for Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards within their respective categories. Select entries may also receive specialty honors, with one product ultimately named America's Best Beverage.

Winners will receive regional and national digital medals, along with unrestricted rights to use the medals in their marketing and packaging. The results will also be published on our website and shared with major industry publications and via social media. Double Gold winners will also have the opportunity to be featured in-store at exclusive retail partners.

You can find a list of past winners here.

No, the event is not open to the public, nor does it need physical participation from the entrants. Judges will be tasting and evaluating the beverages behind closed doors in Charleston, South Carolina.

Please subscribe to our newsletter via our official website for updates. You can also follow us on our social media platforms for news and updates.

If you have other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us through the "Contact Us" section on our website.

America's Best Beverages recognizes seven beverage categories: Functional Beverages, Hemp THC Beverages, Non-Alcoholic Beer, Non-Alcoholic Wine, Non-Alcoholic Spirits, Social Tonics, and Euphoric Beverages.

For detailed category descriptions and guidance on selecting the best fit for your product, please visit our About page.