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The judging process for the highly anticipated 2023 Australian Drinks Awards is currently underway. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on August 10 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.

A total of 48 awards will be presented on the night across Brand, Supplier and Contribution to Industry categories.

Get ready for an evening filled with excitement and laughter as celebrated Australian comedian, Vince Sorrenti, assumes the role of the master of ceremonies and host.

Brand Awards

This year, there are 41 brand accolades for the Fan Favourite Brand Awards (sponsored by Circana) and Gaining in Popularity Brand Awards (sponsored by Fever-Tree) that are split out by key category segments as shown below.

The top 200 drinks brands in each category, identified by key retailer ranging and/or wholesaler withdrawal data are automatically entered into the competition and Thrive Research determines the winners via a survey of 4,000 consumers.

• Beer: Classic, Contemporary, Premium, Craft, Non-Alcoholic
• Cider: Overall, Non-Alcoholic
• RTD: Dark, White, Seltzer, Non-Alcoholic
• Spirits: Dark, White, Aperitifs/Liqueurs, Non-Alcoholic
• Wine: Red, White, Rosé, Sparkling, Champagne, Non-Alcoholic

Below are last year's Fan Favourite Brand Award winners:

And last year's Gaining in Popularity Brand Award winners:

2023 sees the addition of five new Gaining in Popularity awards: Non-Alcoholic Beer, Seltzer and Non-Alcoholic RTDs, Non-Alcoholic Spirits and Non-Alcoholic Wine.

Read more about the 2022 Brand Award Winners here.

Supplier Awards

The highly-esteemed Supplier Awards are determined by the results of the industry-wide Engagement Program, facilitated by Advantage Group.

There are four key Supplier Awards categories.

Contribution to Industry Awards

The Contribution to Industry Awards are judged by a panel of industry leaders which includes members of the Drinks Association Board, representatives from Drinks Association member companies and experts in the space of Diversity & Inclusion and Corporate Social Responsibility.

It’s important to note that any judge whose organisation has put forward a submission for a particular category of an award, is not eligible to participate in the judging process for that award.

There are three key Contribution to Industry Awards categories.

Corporate Social Responsibility Award: Recognises an organisation's unique initiatives demonstrating a commitment to socially responsible principles such as responsible drinking, environmental sustainability or community, charity and corporate values.

Inclusive & Diverse Workplace Award: Recognises organisations that prioritise diversity and recognise the value of an inclusive workplace for individuals and their organisations.

Most Improved Gender Equity Award: Recognises organisations that have made the most significant change in gender diversity and implemented the greatest number of policies. The finalists are shortlisted based on data extracted from the annual WGEA Report and submissions provided to the Drinks Association. Year-on-year movements are reviewed in relation to the finalists' female representation in leadership, female representation in the overall workforce and a summary of policy changes undertaken.

On June 22, 2023, Australian Vintage Limited, Moët Hennessy and Accolade Wines were announced as the three finalists for this coveted award. These organisations have been invited to submit additional materials for consideration, and the judges will select the winning company prior to the awards ceremony.

Drinks Association’s CEO, Georgia Lennon says, “We operate within an industry that is rapidly evolving, heading towards greater social consciousness, increased environmental engagement, and a commitment to inclusivity and diversity in everyday practices."

"It’s an exciting time and I look forward to celebrating the winners of these esteemed awards in August."

Good luck to all the entrants!

Click here for more information about the event and ticket sales.

Thank you to the award sponsors for this year's event.