
Craft Beer Marketing Awards: Celebrating Creativity in the Brew Industry
In the vibrant world of craft beer, there’s one event that perhaps bubbles up more excitement than the annual release of a limited-edition barrel-aged stout. It’s the Craft Beer Marketing Awards (CBMAS), also affectionately known as “The Crushies.” This prestigious competition holds a special place in the hearts of brewers, marketers, and designers alike, for it’s where art meets the art of brewing.
The Evolution of the Craft Beer Marketing Awards
Since its inception in 2019, the CBMAS has carved out a niche for itself as the first international platform dedicated exclusively to the celebration of marketing brilliance in the craft beverage sector. The awards recognize the creativity, innovation, and hard work that go into marketing craft beverages, which play a crucial role in distinguishing brands in a crowded marketplace.
Furthermore, the collaboration with presenting sponsor, The BevPros, underscores the importance of expertise in both beverage marketing and supply chain management. This synergy reinforces the CBMAS’s commitment to highlighting the best in the business.
What’s Brewing in the 2024 Competition?
This year marks a significant evolution for the CBMAS. A noticeable shift is the move to global-only categories, breaking down regional barriers and allowing entries to compete on an international stage. This change underlines the awards’ ambition to foster a global community of creatives who are vying to be recognized as the world’s best.
| Exciting Innovation | Description |
|---|---|
| Global-Only Categories | Entries from all around the world compete in a unified competition. |
| Compete by Beverage-Type | Expanded categories including hard seltzer, non-alcoholic beer, and more. |
| Isuzu Beer Truck Design Competition | A chance to design a beer truck wrap and win passes to the Craft Brewers Conference. |
| Crushie Winners Map | New feature to boost exposure to award-winning locations for consumers. |
The addition of new categories and competitions like the Isuzu Beer Truck Design Challenge opens up fresh avenues for creative expression within the craft beer industry. These innovations encourage participants to think outside the beer box and showcase their talents in unique and impactful ways.
The Importance of Being Seen and Celebrated
Recognition in the CBMAS can significantly impact a brand’s visibility and reputation in the craft beverage community. With over 320 Crushie Awards handed out last season, it’s clear that the opportunity for acknowledgment is vast. Not to mention, the Crushie Winners Map is a brilliant initiative that drives both recognition and foot traffic to award-winning locales. Such strategies are not only innovative but also deeply beneficial to the entire craft beverage ecosystem, from producers to consumers.
In conclusion, the Craft Beer Marketing Awards are much more than an annual event; they are a testament to the vibrancy, passion, and ingenuity of the craft beer world. Whether it’s through globally competed categories, participation across various beverage types, or creative challenges like the beer truck design, the CBMAS continues to set the bar high for marketing excellence. So, here’s to the winners, the participants, and everyone who makes the craft beer industry a continuously exciting field to be a part of. Cheers to creativity, innovation, and, of course, amazing craft beer!
