Exclusive benefit for BA Export Development Program members
Not a member? Learn more about the Program benefits and fees.
International competitions serve as key platforms to raise awareness for American craft beer abroad and assist breweries with generating publicity for their brands in overseas markets. Export Development Program members are invited to submit entries for judging in the 2025 Brussels Beer Challenge.
Competition entry fees for up to three beers and a consolidated shipment to Belgium will be covered for all Export Development Program Members.
EDP Members: Please read all details below before registering.
About the competition:
The Brussels Beer Challenge aims to promote the beer industry in a market that is not only a benchmark for beer but also home to connoisseurs. During three days a tasting panel of internationally renowned beer judges will taste over 1,700 beers from around the world. The participating beers are divided into categories based on origin, type, and style and then evaluated. At the end of the three tasting days, the best beers, in each category, will be awarded a gold, silver, or bronze award. EDP members won 19 awards in 2024.
For more information, please visit www.brusselsbeerchallenge.com.
Event Timeline
- June 1 – Competition registration opens
- September 12– Deadline to register with both the Brussels Beer Challenge competition and the EDP for shipment (separate registrations, both are required). The official competition registration is open into October, however, EDP members participating in the consolidated shipment must complete the EDP shipment registration by September 12 to be included in the consolidated shipment to Belgium.
Important: The consolidation of samples for Brussels Beer Challenge overlaps with the consolidation for the Stockholm Beer & Whiskey Festival. EDP members may ship samples for both activities together, but each case box must be labeled accordingly to ensure samples are palletized accordingly.
- September 23 – Consolidation deadline. Final day for beer to arrive at the East Coast consolidation point.
- November 2-5 – Competition judging
- November 17 – Results announced.
Entries/Cost:
The Brewers Association will cover the entry fee for up to three brands (bottles and cans only) per brewery and consolidated airfreight shipment for Export Development Program members.
Breweries can submit more than three brands, but will be asked to remit payment for the number of brands submitted beyond three. The fee per additional brand is €180.
Registration Instructions:
EDP members must register in two stages: Once with the competition to officially submit entries, and again with the EDP (via the form at the bottom of this page) to participate in consolidated airfreight shipping to Belgium. Failure to complete both registrations may result in omission from the shipment. Please read and follow all steps outlined below:
Step 1: Register your beers with the Brussels Beer Challenge Competition by September 12.
- Read the competition Rules & Regulations and Category Guidelines
- Register your entries through the Competition Registration (online and form registration available)
- Payment instructions for EDP Members: Once on the Brussels Beer Challenge payment page, use coupon/voucher code BA2025FREE3B to receive entry fee coverage on your first three entries. Breweries registering more than three entries will provide payment information at this stage for the remaining balance.
Step 2: Complete the EDP consolidated shipment form at the bottom of this page by September 12.
Step 3: Deliver entries to the east coast consolidation point no later than September 23. Please label all cases “BA/Brussels Beer Challenge”.
Entries arriving after September 23 will not be included in the consolidated shipment.
Competition Labeling:
Whereas some international beer competitions require labeling each bottle or can with competition registration information, the Brussels Beer Challenge does not have a labeling requirement. Entries are identified by competition staff using commercial labeling.
Required Beer Volumes
Per competition guidelines, the number of bottles/cans per entry is as follows:
- Six bottles/cans for units packaged in volumes at or below 0.5l
- Three bottles/cans for units packaged in volumes above 0.5l
Shipping Instructions:
Entries are due at the East Coast consolidation warehouse by September 23.
Looking for tips on packing/shipping beer for competitions? Start with Slide 15 of this Craft Brewers Conference seminar “International Shipping for U.S. Brewers”.
- The carrier must contact the Accem warehouse at inbound@accem.com at least one business day before delivery to schedule an inbound appointment. In the request, provide the name of the brewery and that the shipment is part of the consolidation for the Brewers Association London shipment.
- Mark all cases “BA/Brussels Beer Challenge or print/affix this pdf. Cases not labeled properly or arriving after the deadline are not guaranteed inclusion in the consolidated shipment. It is highly recommended that you ship your beer early due to reports of recurring delays in shipping.
Notice: The consolidation of samples for Brussels Beer Challenge overlaps with the consolidation for Stockholm Beer & Whiskey Festival. EDP members may ship samples for both activities together, but each case box must be labeled accordingly to ensure samples are palletized accordingly.
- Please share tracking information and any questions with EDPShipping@BrewersAssociation.org
- Consolidation Point Shipping Address:
IMPORTANT: Palletized deliveries require appointments. Please instruct your shipping carrier to schedule deliveries ahead of time.
ACCEM WAREHOUSE, INC.
Attn: BrewersAssoc/Sweden
8 Peach Tree Hill Rd.
Livingston, NJ 07039
Contact:
201-858-3899 ext. 306.Schedule inbound shipments: inbound@accem.com
Customer service inquiries domesticwarehousing@hillebrandgori.com
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