Applications are now open for the Brewbound Live 2026 Pitch Slam, taking place during Brewbound Live on December 9 + 10 in Marina del Rey, California.
This year, the competition is opening to a broader mix of brands, including beer (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), hard cider, hard seltzer, hard kombucha, canned cocktails and other canned beer-, wine- and spirits-based beverages. The focus is not simply on what is new, but on how each brand can contribute to growth across beer and the broader beverage-alcohol industry.
Applicants will be asked to make the case for where their product fits in a changing market, who it can bring into the category, and what opportunity it creates for retailers, distributors, operators, and the industry as a whole.
This year, we want to specifically hear your answer to: “How will your brand help bring more consumers into beverage-alcohol?” Share how your product will be incremental to the industry, whether by meeting new occasions, speaking to new consumers, tapping into unclaimed territory or otherwise.
A Broader Look at What Can Drive Beverage Alcohol Forward
Beer now competes for consumer occasions alongside RTDs, non-alcoholic products, spirits-based cocktails and other emerging formats. This year’s Pitch Slam reflects that broader landscape.
Eligible applicants include brands producing beer (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), hard cider, hard seltzer, hard kombucha, canned cocktails and other canned beer-, wine- and spirits-based beverages that can clearly demonstrate how they can attract more consumers or drive incremental growth.
Companies are generally expected to be less than five years old, including pre-launch brands, although more established companies looking to scale new brands may also be considered.
How the Competition Works
Six finalists will be selected based on the strength of their applications.
Each finalist will take the Brewbound Live stage on Wednesday, December 9 for a 4-minute presentation, followed by Q&A with a panel of industry judges. Founders will be asked to make the case for their product, positioning, business model, growth opportunity, and role within the broader beer and bev-alc market.
Judges will provide live feedback before selecting the 2026 Brewbound Live Pitch Slam winner.
The pitches will also be live streamed and recorded for later publication on Brewbound.com.
Who’s Watching
Pitch Slam finalists will present in front of an audience of distributors, retailers, investors, operators, suppliers, service providers and other beverage-alcohol professionals attending Brewbound Live and watching the free livestream.
Past participants include Sunboy, Funkytown Brewery, Lunar Hard Seltzer, Crowns & Hops, Sake High!, Rationale Brewing, Ikasu Brewing, Bondi Beer and more.
For participating brands, the opportunity extends beyond the competition itself. The feedback, visibility and conversations that follow can help sharpen positioning, surface new questions and introduce founders to people evaluating what has the potential to contribute to the next phase of beer and beverage-alcohol.
What’s at Stake
The winning brand will receive a Brewbound.com industry awareness advertising package valued at $10,000.
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted through Friday, October 16, 2026 at 5 p.m. EDT. There is no cost to apply.
Apply for the Brewbound Live Pitch Slam >>
Brands selected to take part in the Pitch Slam will receive free admission to Brewbound Live for up to two members of the company, including the person who will pitch on stage.
To learn more about Brewbound Live 2026 and the Pitch Slam, visit the Brewbound Live website.