DioniLife’s Mash Gang has taken home gold at the 2026 World Beer Cup® (WBC), the world’s most prestigious beer competition. Often described as “the Olympics of Beer,” this year’s competition saw more than 8,000 beers from over 1,600 breweries judged by over 200 international expert taste testers in a blind taste test.
“This is a brilliant milestone for our team, giving us world-over recognition for our beer,” commented Damian McKinney, CEO and Founder of DioniLife. “Mash Gang was built by friends, fuelled by flavour and an obsession with brewing the very best beer on the planet, which happens to also be alcohol-free. It is wonderful to get this recognition for our flagship beer.”
Unlike other competitions, where many entries receive an award, the World Beer Cup is built on a ‘gold, silver and bronze’ award system, meaning only a very exclusive three beers are crowned out of the many thousands entered. Mash Gang was awarded gold—making this the ultimate of all trophies.
Crisp, bold, tropical and hoppy, Chug delivers flavour and refreshment in equal measure. This flagship hazy IPA uses a combination of Citra and El Dorado hops, bursting over a pale base with notes of passionfruit and grapefruit. Crafted with precision to 0.5%, with extra ‘dry hopping’ for body, depth and character, Chug is unique in the non-alcohol segment. Since its launch in 2020, Mash Gang has brewed 200+ beers, culminating in this amazing world-leading trophy win.
Organized by the Brewers Association (BA), the not-for-profit trade association representing brewers, the 2026 World Beer Cup, now in its 30th year, recognized the very best in beer and cider across 118 categories, while continuing to set the global standard for technical excellence, innovation, and creativity rooted in both tradition and progress.
An international panel of 255 judges from fifty countries evaluated 8,166 entries using rigorous, blind-tasting protocols. The 2026 competition brought together 1,644 breweries representing fifty nations, underscoring the event’s role as a truly global benchmark for quality.
“As a pioneering scale-up we are driving the future of non-alc. We deliver brands that truly answer the consumer ask for ‘no compromise’ on taste while being crafted from the very best ingredients. We aim to lead the transformation of non-alc beers, and also non-alc spirits, into truly aspirational and sought-after drinks,” concluded McKinney.
About Mash Gang
Mash Gang began as a homebrewing experiment during the pandemic and has grown into one of the most respected non-alcoholic breweries in the world. With a focus on bold flavours, premium ingredients, and a supportive community, Mash Gang has redefined what great non-alcoholic beer can be. Backed by DioniLife, Mash Gang has become the #1 selling beer in leading stores—not just within the non-alcoholic category, but across the entire beer category. Mash Gang’s flagship IPA, Chug, is already outperforming industry heavyweights.
About DioniLife
Established in 2024, DioniLife is an exclusively non-alcoholic full portfolio company built by spirits industry innovators. After a successful launch with Mash Gang, DioniLife followed up with award-winning Pavari 17, a Mediterranean aperitif, and La Borosa, an agave-inspired spirit. Now the leading non-alcoholic portfolio, DioniLife is backed by Invus, the exclusive investment advisor to Artal, a global equity investment firm with offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
For More Information:
Learn More
Stay Informed, Stay Competitive
Unlock the articles, expert interviews, and data reports that power the food and beverage industry. Join our community and stay ahead with exclusive insights from BevNET and Nosh.