2026 Oktoberfest Professional Competition
The Best Florida Beer Oktoberfest Professional Competition is back! This year, we've extended the sign-up period even further to give brewers more time to plan their submissions, and we're again providing clear guidelines on entry categories and planned collapses. Plus, don't miss our award ceremony, which will be live broadcast on Facebook. Specific details are as follows:
Categories:
This competition will utilize the 2026 BA Style Guidelines (https://cdn.brewersassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/19140641/2026_BA_Beer_Style_Guidelines.pdf). We expect to have the following categories judged, and categories collapsed as follows:
American Oktoberfest / Marzen
German Oktoberest / Dortmunder
German Marzen
Vienna Lager
Munich-style Helles
German Wheat / Rye Beers
Kölsch-Style
Bohemian-Style Pilsener
German-Style Pilsener
Dark Euro Lager (Doppelbock, Dunkel, Schwarzbier, etc.)
Hybrid - Altbier / Keller / Zwickle
Alt Fermentables - Pumpkin / Field Beer
Smoke Beer (Please specify the base style)
Experimental / Specialty Beer - Anything Goes (must include base style and adjunct info)
Please note that if any of the categories within the planned collapses receive a significant number of entries, we may consider judging that category separately. For example, if there are a large number of Dunkel entries, it may become it’s own standalone medal category, while other entries in the Euro Dark Lager collapse will remain judged together but against their respective category guidelines. Our goal is to maintain the highest possible transparency regarding categories/collapses. As it stands, we made the above choices based solely on historical data, since we can’t perfectly predict what each of you will enter this year. If you have any specific questions about categories or entries, please email Board@bestfloridabeer.org and we will do our best to answer your inquiries.
Entering the Competition + Entry Drop-Off Info:
Entry Period: Open June 1st through August 30. Entries must be dropped off by August 30.
Entry Sample Requirements: QTY 3 - Cans or Bottles for each entry. Beers will be served to the judges “blind” so the type of container, or any branding on packaging, will not be an issue.
Entry Drop off: Magnanimous Brewing SEMINOLE HEIGHTS LOCATION (NOT The downtown TAMPA ONE) from 8/24 - 8/30. Competition sorting day is on September 2nd, so please be sure your entries are dropped off by 8/30!
Registration Link: https://reggiebeer.com/ReggieEntry.php?CompetitionID=QIPOTH1000992
Entry Fees and Payments:
Entry Fee: $50 per entry, with a maximum of 10 entries per brewery.
Paying for Entries: Paypal is the preferred payment method and is available on the Reggie website during signup.
However, should you need to pay via check please send to:
Linda - BFB Treasurer
℅ Best Florida Beer Competition
3007 W Leila Ave
Tampa, FL 33611
Checks must be received by September 5th, 2025, before the first day of judging, or your entries will not be judged for medal consideration. Please attach a letter notating the check number and the brewery/brewer being paid for.
Judging:
Judging Date(s): September 5th and 6th
Judging Location: Magnanimous Brewing Seminole Heights - 6809 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
Judging/Stewarding Sign-Up (Now Open): https://reggiebeer.com/ReggieEntry.php?CompetitionID=QIPOTH1000992&BeAJudge=1
Peer-Reviewed Judging: Best Florida Beer is dedicated to celebrating and rewarding your commitment to brewing world-class beer right here in Florida. We invite you to send a qualified team member to participate in judging or stewarding. First-time judges should have experience with sensory panels and a solid vocabulary for describing and evaluating beer. Our judging panel will also include other professional brewers, BJCP judges with a Certified or higher rank, as well as Certified and Advanced Cicerones. All judges are treated equally and have an equal say at the evaluation tables, regardless of rank or previous experience. That said, we strive to make all new judges feel welcome, and to help do so, we try to pair less experienced judges with seasoned ones to provide guidance throughout the process.
Awards:
Custom Oktoberfest Medals! Plus, Best of Show and Heavy Medalist Das Boot Awards.
Award Ceremony:
The ceremony will be held at Blind Tiger (Formerly C1949) on 9/19 from 6-9PM and will be live-streamed and recorded. The award ceremony is FREE to attend and will take place in their outdoor patio space. Please note that Blind Tiger plans to have several of the award-winning beers available on draft and/or in package, and WILL be open to the general public. Competition judges and stewards will receive 2 complimentary beer tickets at the award ceremony.
We look forward to a great competition!
Prost!
Previous Oktoberfest Competition Medal Winners