It’s time to reveal the finalists for the Brewbound Live Pitch Slam, our business pitch competition for beer and beverage-alcohol brands. They will compete during Brewbound Live 2026, taking place December 9 + 10 in Los Angeles, California.
This year’s Brewbound Live Pitch Slam finalists reflect just how diversified the beer and beyond beer aisle has become. From botanical-driven craft beers and low-ABV lagers to wine-based RTDs and canned wines made to be enjoyed like a cold beer, these brands are borrowing from beer, wine and cocktail culture to reach today’s drinkers. Their stories and strategies offer a look at where the adult beverage category is headed next.
With shelf space tighter, distributors more selective, and consumers choosing across beer, ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs), non-alcoholic (NA) products and other formats, a great product alone isn’t enough. This year’s Pitch Slam challenges founders to show where their brand fits and how it can help grow the overall bev-alc industry, whether by reaching new consumers, creating new drinking occasions, or unlocking an opportunity bev-alc isn’t capturing yet.
Finalists will make that case in front of a panel of judges with deep experience in distribution, retail, investment and category strategy, offering participants and attendees valuable insights into what it takes to build a successful modern adult beverage brand. This year’s finalists include:
- Ceremony Botanical Brews: An Austin-based company calling itself America’s first botanical brewing company. Each beer is built around a single botanical. Ceremony debuted in 2026 with a Matcha Botanical Pilsner and a Hibiscus Botanical Ale, both 4.9% ABV.
- PNKYS: A San Diego canned wine brand with the motto “good wine, better vibes.” Its no-additive, low-carb, still wines come in flavors like Orange Wine, Jalapeño White and Roseaaaaye, made for drinkers who “don’t need a beer to crack a cold one.”
- RKYMTN Adult Drinks (RAD): A Colorado brand from New Belgium alum Adrian Glasenapp. It makes lightly carbonated, gluten-free, wine-based drinks in 12 oz. cans, in flavors like Prickly Pear-Guava and Mango-Grapefruit.
- SMALL Beer: A 2.5% ABV, roughly 80-calorie lager from the Beer Street Brands family, with the tagline “big flavor, low impact.” It’s made by the creative team behind Chubbies Shorts.
- Soul Mega: A Washington, D.C., craft beer brand founded by Elliott Johnson, built at the intersection of great beer, culture and creativity. Its flagship is Worldwide American Pale Ale. Soul Mega recently won Samuel Adams’ 2026 Brewing & Business Experienceship.
- Wine and Cola: A wine-based RTD from Wrongfully Right Cocktails, inspired by the Spanish cocktail Kalimotxo. It debuted across Southern California this year in Original, Diet Original, Cherry, Rosé and Citrus.
In addition to industry recognition, the winning brand will receive a Brewbound advertising awareness package, a featured interview on the Brewbound Podcast, free registration to Brewbound Live 2027 and an engraved Pitch Slam trophy.
The Pitch Slam champion will join a lineup of past winners including Ikasu Brewing, Hurray’s Girl Beer, Sunboy, Funkytown Brewery, Lunar Hard Seltzer, Crowns & Hops, Willie’s Superbrew, Novo Brazil, Border X Brewing and Wynwood Brewing Company.
Brewbound Live: More Than a Competition
The Pitch Slam is just one part of Brewbound Live 2026, a two-day event packed with opportunities to learn, connect and be inspired. Beyond the competition, attendees gain access to:
- High-impact discussions with industry leaders tackling the future of distribution, investment, innovation and brand building.
- Networking sessions and pre-scheduled 1:1 meetings designed to connect founders, investors, retailers and strategics driving growth in bev-alc.
- Tasting experiences and live showcases that bring together cutting-edge brands across beer, NA and adult beverage categories.
Whether you’re looking to meet the next generation of founders or learn how to position your brand for success in a shifting landscape, Brewbound Live is where the conversation happens. Be in the room to witness the next wave of beverage-alcohol innovation, sample the products and meet the people redefining what’s next.
👉 Register now for Brewbound Live 2026 >>
If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time. Brewbound Live is next month!