2026 BFBC Pro Comp Entry Rules & Details!
Eligibility
The Best Florida Beer Competition (BFBC) is open to all commercial beers brewed and offered for sale in the State of Florida without significant changes or modifications to the beer recipe from the way is has been offered for sale to the public. Breweries, Meaderies, and Cideries must be fully licensed for the manufacture and commercial sale of beer, mead, or cider in the state of Florida. Breweries must have a Brewer’s Notice on file with the TTB. Eligible entries must be for sale or have been poured on premise on or before January 31st, 2026.
Entries
The Best Florida Beer Professional Competition is back and better than ever! For this year’s competition (2026), we’re announcing much earlier and opening the sign-up period well ahead of previous years, giving brewers ample time to plan their production and entries. We’ve also outlined clear guidelines on entry categories and planned group collapses, in alignment with the 2026 World Beer Cup Guidelines. These collapses were determined based on historical categorical entry numbers in this competition, market trends in style popularity, current WBC guidelines, and overall judging fit within each collapse. While we aim to stick with these planned collapses, adjustments may be made if entry numbers fluctuate significantly. For example, a high volume of Hefeweizen entries could lead us to judge it as a standalone medal group, while other Wheat/Rye categories remain grouped and judged per their specific guidelines. Ultimately, our goal is best possible transparency in category organization, and while we’ve made these decisions based on logical parameters, we welcome any questions you may have. Please reach out to Board@bestfloridabeer.org, and we’ll be glad to assist.
Categories:
Style | 2026 World Beer Cup Category
American Wheat | 1
Fruit Beer | 2
Fruited Wheat Beer | 3
Field / Herb / Spice / Pumpkin / Tea Beer | 4, 5, 7, 8
Chill Beer | 6
Chocolate Beer or Coffee Stout/ Porter | 9, 11
Coffee Beer (Non-Stout/Porter) | 10
Dessert or Pastry Stout (including BA iterations) | 12, 34
Honey Beer | 14
Session IPA / Hoppy Lager | 19, 41
Experimental IPA / New Zealand Style IPA / Fresh Hop | 23, 65, 22c
Experimental / Historical| 22 (except 22c), 24
Mixed Culture / Brett Beer / Wood-and barrel-aged Sour Beer | 28, 29, 35
Wood and Barrel Aged Strong Beer + Stout | 32, 33
Smoke Beer | 37
International Pilsner / Italian Pilsener | 39, 42
International Light Lager | 38
Dark Lager except Schwarzbier | 51
German Pils | 43
Bohemian Pils (Czech) / Czech Pale Ale | 999, 44 Note: While Bohemian Pils is not included in the 2026 WBC guidelines, entries in this category will be judged using the 2025 standards. This has consistently been a popular style in our competition, so we’re keeping it.
Munich Helles | 45
Dortmunder / Oktoberfest / Märzen / International Amber Lager | 46, 48
Vienna Lager | 47
Schwarzbier | 50
Bock / Doppelbock | 52,53
American-Style Light Lager & American-style Lager & | 54, 56
American Pilsner / Cream Ale | 58, 61
American Amber Lager | 62
American Barleywine / British Barley Wine | 66
Kolsch | 67
German Sour (Berliner/ Leipzig-Style Gose / Contemporary Gose) AKA Non-fruited. | 68, 69
Fruited versions of Contemporary Gose / Berliner-Style Weisse / Pastry Sour / Floridaweisse | 68b, 69b
German Wheat / Rye - Hefeweizen, Kristal Weizen, Dunkel Weizen, Weizenbock, Rye Beer | 13, 70, 71, 72
Saison / Belgian Blond / Witbier | 76, 80a, 75
Dubbel, Quad, Belgian Dark Strong | 81, 83, 84c, 84d
Belgian Strong Blonde / Tripel | 80b, 82, 84a, 84b
Belgian / French Ales (Biere de Garde, Oud Bruin or Red, Specialty Saison, Belgian Sour Ales/Spon), Belgian Style Fruit Beer | 77, 78, 79, 85
Altbier / English Bitter / Mild / English Brown | 73, 86, 89
Brown Porter / Robust Porter | 90, 91
Sweet/Cream/Irish Stout/Oatmeal Stout / Export Stout | 92, 93, 96, 97
American Imperial Porter / Baltic Porter / American Stout / American Black Ale | 20, 106
Imperial Stout | 94, 107
Irish Red | 96
Scottish Style Ales / Scotch Ale | 99, 100
Blonde/Golden Ale | 101
American Style Pale Ale | 102
Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale | 103
Imperial India Pale Ale | 111
Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale | 112
American Amber/Red | 104
American Brown | 105
American or English Style IPA | 113
Juicy of Hazy India Pale Ale | 114
West Coast Style India Pale Ale | 115
Cider – 201 through 206 (will split per entry justifications)
Mead - Per BJCP Guidelines as WBC does not include Mead currently.
The World Beer Cup guidelines can be found here - https://www.worldbeercup.org/compete/beer-styles/
We want to reiterate that the planned collapses are based on historical data. Last year was the first time we shared these in advance, and only a few adjustments were needed based on that years actual entries. In some cases, additional categories were judged on their own, while one or two were combined differently to keep each collapse competitive and aligned with overall entries.
If you have any questions about a specific category, planned collapse or happen to catch an inconsistency with category numbers above, please email board@bestfloridabeer.org, and one of us will get back to you.
Competition Entry Details:
• Entry Period: Open December 1, 2025, through January 18, 2026 (midnight).
• Drop-Off Dates: January 11 - 18, 2026 (close of business).
• Sample Requirements: Three (3) Cans or Bottles per entry. Beers will be served to the judges “blind” so the type of container, or any branding on packaging, will not be an issue. - Check out our Entry Guide for some feedback on how to submit your samples https://www.bestfloridabeer.org/submission-guide
Drop-Off Location:
Magnanimous Brewing, Seminole Heights, 6809 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33604.
Entry Fees and Payments:
• Entry Fee: $75 per entry, with a maximum of 10 entries per brewery (per location).
• Paying for Entries: Paypal is the preferred payment method and is available on the Reggie website during signup. If you need to arrange for alternative payment methods please email Board@bestfloridabeer.org and we will figure out accommodations.
Payment Deadline is: January 18th 2026 (midnight). all entries must be paid prior to the start of judging. Unpaid entries will be removed and will not be judged.
Peer-Reviewed Judging Process:
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 qualified team members 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 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. Please note that employees or owners of competition entrants must disclose their affiliation during initial sign-up. This protects the integrity of the competition by ensuring they are not assigned to judge categories in which their company has entries.
Judge Training/Sensory Training:
This year, in collaboration with Sensory-Sensei, we are offering a judge training and sensory class prior to the start of competition judging. The class will be held at Magnanimous Brewing Seminole Heights on Thursday 1/29/26 from 5-8pm. This is a ticketed event, and you must RSVP to secure your seat. All registered judges will receive complementary entry to the course courtesy of BFBC.
What Judges Receive:
Satisfaction of Supporting Excellence: Contribute to a peer-based judging system, ensuring only the best beers in Florida earn medals in their entered categories.
Brewers Ball Tickets: Each judge receives a personal, non-transferable ticket to Brewers Ball. Judges who complete 4 or more sessions earn an additional guest ticket (up to a maximum of 3 guest tickets).
Custom Judge Gifts: This year, we’ve put together some special, customized gifts for our judges.
Catered Meals: Each day, we provide a catered meal, with coffee, light breakfast, and snacks on weekends, plus a hearty lunch available for both AM and PM session judges to enjoy.
Beer! After each judging session, enjoy up to 2 beers on us at our host locations.
Travel Stipend for Long-Distance Judges: Judges traveling over 100 miles are eligible for a $150 hotel stipend if they judge a minimum of three sessions. This could include a Sunday double session and Monday night, or at least three of the four Saturday and Sunday sessions. To claim, submit your request via email to board@bestfloridabeer.org, and stipends will be paid after completion of your judging sessions.
What Stewards Receive:
Pride in Making a Great Competition Possible: Play a key role in supporting an exceptional competition.
Brewers Ball Tickets: Each steward receives a personal, non-transferable ticket to Brewers Ball. Those completing 4 or more sessions earn one guest ticket (up to a maximum of 3 guest tickets).
Custom Steward Gifts: Customized, high-quality gifts as a thank you for your help.
Catered Meals: Each day, we provide a catered meal, with coffee, light breakfast, and snacks on weekends, plus a hearty lunch available for both AM and PM session judges to enjoy.
Beer! After each session, enjoy up to 2 beers on us at our host locations.
Judging Dates and Locations
To increase access and encourage participation from judges across the state, we’ve expanded our judging footprint this year with multiple regional host locations. A Best Florida Beer Board Member will be on site at each location to oversee operations and ensure consistency across sessions.
We’re announcing dates well in advance so judges and stewards can plan accordingly. If you intend to participate, please sign up early. Early registration is critical to help us allocate beers, balance flights, and manage competition logistics effectively.
Tampa - Magnanimous Brewing (Seminole Heights)
Saturday, January 31, 2026
• AM Session: 9:00 AM
• PM Session: 1:00 PM
Sunday, February 1, 2026
• AM Session: 9:00 AM
• PM Session: 1:00 PM
Saturday, February 7, 2026
• AM Session: 9:00 AM
• PM Session: 1:00 PM
Sunday, February 8, 2026
• AM Session: 9:00 AM
• PM Session: 1:00 PM
Orlando - Ivanhoe Park Brewing (Lager Haus)
Saturday, January 31, 2026
• AM Session: 9:00 AM
• PM Session: 1:00 PM
Sunday, February 1, 2026
• AM Session: 9:00 AM
• PM Session: 1:00 PM
Jacksonville - Aardwolf Brewing
Saturday, January 31, 2026
• AM Session: 9:00 AM
• PM Session: 1:00 PM
Sunday, February 1, 2026
• AM Session: 9:00 AM
• PM Session: 1:00 PM
St. Petersburg - Grand Central Brewhouse
Thursday, February 5, 2026
• Single Session Start Time: 3:30 PM
Additional sessions may be scheduled as needed based on final entry volume and competition needs. Updates will be communicated directly to registered judges and stewards.
Register to judge - https://reggiebeer.com/ReggieEntry.php?CompetitionID=TMHJIG1000961&BeAJudge=1
Medal Winner Comp & Discounted Ticket Information:
Each medal awarded to a brewery earns their business one complimentary ticket to the Brewers Ball. For example, if your company wins 5 medals, you’ll receive 5 complimentary tickets. Additionally, all entrants will receive a 25% off discount code for any of their staff to use.
Medal Winner Brewers Ball Beer Requirements:
Medal-winning breweries are required to send or arrange for the delivery of either 1 x 1/6 bbl or 1 x 1/4 bbl keg of their medal-winning beers to the Brewers Ball on March 8th, 2026 - or 2 cases of cans/bottles. For convenience, a volunteer will be onsite at the FBG Fest on March 7th to accept drop-offs for those who wish to deliver their beers that day. Brewers must not remove kegs until the end of the festival. Please refer to the Keg Return section for details on drop-off, pickup, and donation information. Once tapped, empty kegs will be stored in our trailer and should be collected after the festival.
Note for cans or bottles products; we will have a dedicated section for these beers, with a volunteer assigned to pour and ensure the beer is shared thoughtfully among attendees.
Best of __ Trophy Categories:
For the 2026 Pro Competition, the trophy categories are as follows:
• Best Small Brewer (0-250 BBL Annual Production) (Runner Up & 2nd Runner Up)
• Best Medium Brewer (250-1,000 BBL Annual Production) (Runner Up & 2nd Runner Up)
• Best Large Brewer (1,000+ BBL Annual Production) (Runner Up & 2nd Runner Up)
• Best in Show – "Best Beer" (Runner Up & 2nd Runner Up)
• Best In Show Cider/ Mead- “Best Cider/Mead” (Runner Up)
*Note: Breweries with multiple locations are welcome to enter each location individually. Points earned are attributed solely to the specific participating location and are not combined for the brewery group as a whole. For example, if a brewery has two locations and both compete, the points earned by Location 1 apply only to Location 1's total for "Best Of" trophies. Currently, there is no "Brewery Group of the Year" accolade; however, this is under consideration and may be introduced in future events as the industry continues to evolve.
We look forward to an incredible 2026 competition and Brewers Ball!
Register on Reggiebeer.com HERE
Competition Entry Limit: 1000
Brewery Entry Limit (per location): 10
Cost: $75
Payment Deadline is: January 18th 2026 (midnight)
Entry Window: December 1st 2025 through January 18, 2026 (midnight).
Entry Delivery Window: January 11 - 18, 2026 (close of business).
Drop-Off Location:
Magnanimous Brewing, Seminole Heights, 6809 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33604.
Shipping Address:
Same as drop-off
Entry Link:
Judging:
This year we will have judging dates in Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and St Petersburg. A list of dates is below in the long writeup.