This competition was launched in 2013 to help identify the very best wines, beers and spirits available in the dynamic Alberta beverage marketplace.
Beverages are judged in Calgary by some of Alberta’s finest palates including buyers, sommeliers, retailers, educators and media influencers. The competition takes place in July with results appearing online and in Culinaire Magazine’s October issue.
Prior to the judging, every product is placed into a category and assigned to a flight with like products. The entries are evaluated blind by dedicated wine, beer and spirits panels, and moderated by an experienced panel captain.
Beverages deemed superior in the preliminary rounds proceed to the final rounds where the very best are awarded a “Best in Class.” The top performing products in a category may earn a “Judges Selection.” Post-competition, the editors of Culinaire may assign a “Top Value” to a winning wine, showcasing its high performance that over-delivers on value.
Overall, only about one third of total entries will earn an award at the
Alberta Beverage Awards, which ensures results are meaningful
and only the best will be featured in the results.
For more information, please check out our FAQ page.
To register your products please click here.
Cheers,
Tom Firth
Competition Director
tom@culinairemagazine.ca
CLICK TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD
THE 2022 ABA GUIDE
IMPORTANT DATES
PLEASE NOTE: due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic some dates may be subject to change. Please contact tom@culinairemagazine.ca for the most current dates.
REGISTRATION OPENS: APRIL 4
REGISTRATION CLOSES: JUNE 30
DELIVERY DEADLINE FOR PRODUCT SAMPLES: JULY 13
JUDGING: JULY 18 - 20
RESULTS ANNOUNCED TO WINNERS IN EARLY AUGUST,
AND PUBLISHED IN THE OCTOBER 2022 ISSUE OF CULINAIRE MAGAZINE
SUBMISSIONS
With the move to a new website, we discovered the forms and plug-ins used on the previous site did not sync with the new one. As we want to ensure the process is a great experience for all of our competitors, this year we will be using an Excel-based worksheet, which can be downloaded, filled in, and returned to Linda Garson at linda@culinairemagazine.ca AND Tom Firth at tom@culinairemagazine.ca. Once we have received your registration form, an invoice will be issued via our Square Payment system and sent to you by email. At this point, payment can be processed.
Wine Entries | For sample purposes, we require three bottles (750 ml or equivalent volume) of wine for judging. Entries are $95 per wine, less any applicable discount. Note: For dessert wine entries, we require only two bottles, which includes wines typically available in small formats (i.e. ice wines).
Spirits/LIQUEURS/SAKÉ Entries | For sample purposes, we require one bottle per entry or equivalent volume of spirits for judging. Entries are $95 per entry, less any applicable discount.
Beer/COOLERS/MIXERS Entries | For sample purposes, we require one six-pack or equivalent volume of beer for judging. Entries are $75 per entry, less any applicable discount.
A 10% discount will be offered for the submission of 12 or more entries (not applicable on top of IVSA discount), and for Alberta Craft producers entering more than 5 products. For more details, please contact Linda Garson at linda@culinairemagazine.ca or Tom Firth at tom@culinairemagazine.ca.
Texting for the address is usually the quickest way to sort it out- especially for in person deliveries. Please text Tom Firth at 403 818 5304. You can also email him at tom@culinairemagazine.ca. Products will be photographed on-site, so please ensure that labels are current and in good repair.
To complete your product registration please download our worksheet here and email it to Linda Garson linda@culinairemagazine.ca AND Tom Firth tom@culinairemagazine.ca. Once your submission is received, you will be issued an invoice at which time payment can be processed.
Click to download the 2022 ABA Entry Worksheet