The 2025 Australian Drinks Awards are just around the corner, shining a spotlight on the brands leading the way in consumer trust, product innovation and standout campaigns. The refreshed Brand Awards will once again offer the industry powerful insight into what today’s liquor consumers value… and which brands are delivering.
“In designing the refreshed brand awards, we wanted to ensure that the categories aligned with where the industry is investing their efforts,” says Georgia Lennon, CEO of the Drinks Association.
Most Reputable Brand
The Most Reputable Brand award recognises the brands that consumers trust above all others. The refreshed format saw consumers judge the top 200 brands across beer, wine spirits, RTD and, new in 2025, draught, against the attributes of being most trusted and reputable, most recommended and most authentic.
“Most reputable means having the best, most established, and widely recognised positive reputation,” explains Chris Papadimitriou, Director at Thrive Insights, the company that conducted the consumer research to determine the award winners. “It signifies that a brand has a high degree of trustworthiness, authenticity, respect, and reliability. This is clear amongst the winners of this award.”
The winners are the brands that consumers return to time and time again and proudly recommend to others.
Best New Product Innovation
Innovation in liquor means something different to every drinker and that’s exactly what makes this category so exciting. This new award recognises products launched within the last 15 months that consumers judged to be unique and innovative.
The trends that shape this category highlight the diversity of today’s liquor landscape. “On one hand, consumers seek better-for-you products,” adds Chris. “But they are also seeking indulgence and flavour experience.”
The winners in this category speak to what modern consumers are seeking in new products.
Best Campaign
Also new for 2025, the Best Campaign award gives us insight into the advertising that actually cuts through. Consumers evaluated Drinks Association member submissions based on likeability, differentiation and how much they motivated people to try the product.
The best campaigns were bold, engaging and distinctive. “The standout campaigns are likeable, motivating and different to other alcohol advertising,” says Chris.
They show us that great creative has the power to drive connection and action.
What the brand awards say about our industry
Collectively, these awards highlight the strength and direction of the drinks industry today. Reputation, innovation and meaningful storytelling all matter – and consumers are paying attention.
The brands that will be recognised at this year’s Australian Drinks Awards don’t just make great products. They’ve built trust, embraced creativity and delivered experiences that resonate.
The winners of the 2025 Australian Drinks Awards will be announced during the 13th annual awards ceremony on Thursday, 17 July. In addition to the Brands Awards, the results of the Supplier Awards and the Contribution to Industry Awards will also be announced on the night.
