Lager Legends Brewing Competition
The Lager Legends Brewing Competition is where brewers go head-to-head to see who can make the best lager. It’s all about getting stuck into the process - tweaking recipes, dialing in fermentation, and chasing that perfect crisp finish. Whether you’re keeping it classic or trying something a bit different, it’s a fun, friendly competition where everyone’s wanting to produce their best beer and get feedback for next time.
It's free to enter, and we have prizes from Brewshop, Gladfield and Lallemand.
This is a BJCP registered competition, and beers will be judged according to the matching BJCP style. After the competition, each entry will receive a judging sheet containing the score and feedback on the beer.
The only recipe requirements, and this is how we are able to make this a free event, are:
- That it includes Gladfield malt, where possible
- That it includes Lallemand yeast, where possible
- That the majority of your ingredients are sourced from Brewshop.co.nz
To help make it easy, we have collated a bunch of lager recipe packs for different brewing styles. Simply brew it, enter, and send us your bottles. Using one of our recipe packs is not essential; you can create your own recipe keeping the above requirements in mind.
All brewing methods accepted - all-grain, extract, High Gravity Wort, brew-in-a-bag, etc.
Lager Styles:
| American Light Lager | American Lager |
| Czech Premium Pale Lager | Doppelbock |
| German Pilsner | Helles Bock |
| International Amber Lager | International Pale Lager |
| Kölsch | Märzen |
| Munich Dunkel | Munich Helles |
| NZ Pilsner | Rauchbier |
| Schwarzbier | Vienna Lager |
Prizes:
Each Lager Style Winner (e.g. Doppelbock) - $50 Brewshop voucher/store credit, one sack Gladfield base malt, Lallemand Yeast
Best of Show at Beervana:
Six entries will be selected for the Best of Show judging at Beervana. Judges will hand pick the six and these will be judged by two commercial brewers at Beervana to find a winner.
- All six selected entrants will receive a free ticket to Beervana 2026 for the judging
- The Best of Show winner will receive a $250 Brewshop voucher/store credit and a Beervana four-session Fan Pass to Beervana 2027
How to enter:
Brew your beer to the required specifications, and simply place an order for this free entry product and send us your beer as per the below instructions. Entry is free!
Entries close 2pm 31st July 2026.
Entry details:
- Open to home brewers across NZ.
- Commercial brewers may enter but the beer must be made at home.
- Two bottles (min. 330ml each) must be sent to or dropped off at: Brewshop, 2/143 Maui Street, Hamilton 3200. (no PO Box deliveries). Have a third bottle ready in case it is needed for the Best of Show judging (or send all three if you are confident of being selected!).
- Bottles can be plastic, glass, or they can be cans, and each must be labelled with your free entry number.
- Entry bottles will be coolstored by Brewshop until judging.
Important info:
- You must have entered and your bottles with us by 2pm Friday 31st July.
- All entries must be labelled with your free entry number.
- You can enter as many beer styles as you like, but the same beer must not be entered more than once. Enter each beer separately so it has a unique order number.
- You will be responsible for the delivery of your bottles to Brewshop. If they arrive damaged, we will contact you to organise replacements.
- Winners of the Gladfield Malt sack can choose to have their malt crushed or uncrushed, but it cannot be split into smaller sizes and must be taken as a whole sack.
- Your recipe may be requested for Brewshop use.
- Judges' decisions are final.