Samples, Packaging & Shipping - Best of Craft Beer Awards

Samples

We've made this super simple:

11.2oz (330mL) - 15.9oz (470mL) Eight (8) containers are required*
16oz (473mL) - 32oz (~1L) Six (6) containers are required*

*Sending less than the required container quantities may result in a brewery's beer not being judged
** If containers are damaged in transit, competition organizers may advise on whether to send additional samples or (at their discretion) allow a lesser container quantity to be judged

We've made this super simple:

11.2oz (330mL) - 15.9oz (470mL) Eight (8) containers are required*
16oz (473mL) - 32oz (~1L) Six (6) containers are required*

*Sending less than the required container quantities may result in a brewery's beer not being judged
** If containers are damaged in transit, competition organizers may advise on whether to send additional samples or (at their discretion) allow a lesser container quantity to be judged

Packaging

- Package your bottles and cans for rough transit. AVOID PACKING PEANUTS.

- A packing list is preferred. Include quantity, container type, and beer name.

- Our recommended shipping containers are WHALE PODS. We've never received damaged samples sent in these.

Shipping

Receiving Deadline

Samples must arrive in Bend, OR by Friday, March 20th - 4pm PST

Send samples to:
Empire Cold Storage
c/o BoCBA
62864 NE Oxford Ct, Bend, OR 97701

- Samples arriving later than these dates may not be judged, at BoCBA’s discretion

- BoCBA is not responsible for any aspect of judging or beer handling for samples which arrive late or with unapproved information changes

2026 Competition Registration -  Jan 1st - Feb 27th

Participants

› Open to ALL international breweries (Must provide TTB Brewers Notice or equivalent to enter) - Homebrewers not eligible
› No entry limit per brewery. Multiple locations with separate TTB numbers allowed.
› Entry Fee: $75/entry
› A brewery may enter a category with as many unique entries as they like. (If you brew six American Pale Ales, you may enter all six.)
› No single beer may be entered more than once or in multiple categories.
› All bottles and cans must be shipped or hand-delivered to the event location in Bend, OR
8 containers if under 16oz/500mL - 6 containers if 16oz/500mL or larger
› BJCP sanctioned event judged by fellow brewers, professional judges, and industry leaders
› This event is only open to judges. No need to send a representative. Just beer.
› Refund Policy: 50% thru Feb 13th


Registration: January 1st - Feb 27th 2026
Entry details finalized: February 13th, 2026
Entry Receiving: March 16-20, 2026


Medalists will receive

› Heavy duty Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals you’ll be proud to display
› Promotional social media marketing materials
› Medals and competition feedback will be within one month after event
› One automatic comped entry for the following year’s contest