The Daily Pour Launches First-Ever National Water Choice Awards
(Photo: Pexels/Wallace Chuck)
The Daily Pour, Dan Abrams’ beverage media platform, is excited to announced the launch of the 2026 Water Choice Awards, an inaugural program honoring the finest water brands, styles and innovations from around the world.
Open to producers of still, sparkling and flavored waters, the program offers industry exposure, expert judging and marketing support for brands looking to stand out in a competitive market.
The Water Choice Awards expands on The Daily Pour’s non-alcoholic focus, following the 2025 launch of the Zero Proof Choice Awards — the first national non-alcoholic awards program in the U.S. — which drew more than 300 submissions.
The platform also introduced Drinks With Benefits, New York’s first alcohol-free festival, which attracted more than 70 sponsors and 1,000 attendees.
“Water is now so much more than a thirst quencher — it’s a beverage to be savored, whether on its own, alongside spirits, or as part of a broader non-alcoholic lifestyle,” says Andrew Eisbrouch, president of The Daily Pour. “As conversations around drinking continue to evolve, we felt compelled to elevate water as its own category and give it the same thoughtful consideration we bring to every other beverage we cover.”
Judging & Awards
All entries will undergo a blind tasting evaluated on taste, quality and overall experience. Each brand will receive constructive feedback from judges. Top winners will receive an official trophy; all medal recipients will receive digital badges and promotional assets for use across packaging, e-commerce, sales materials and press kits. Winners will be featured across The Daily Pour’s editorial platforms, newsletters and social media channels.
Key Dates
- Early Entry: Open now (March 1, 2026)
- Final Deadline: June 30, 2026
- Winners Announced: September 2026
- Featured at Drinks With Benefits Festival: Sept. 17, 2026, Altman Building, New York
2026 Judges
- Ashley Epperson — Water Sommelier and co-founder, Salacious Drinks
- Preston Boyer — Founder and CEO, Liquid Life Wellness Water
- Doran (The Bearded Sommelier) — Drinks industry expert
- Camper English — Founder, Alcademics; author, “The Ice Book”
- Laura Silverman — Founder, Zero Proof Nation
- Maria Bastasch — Sommelier and co-founder, Mindful Drinking Fest
- Estelle Bossy — Beverage Director and Mixology Specialist
- Tawny Lara — Beverage founder and author
How to Enter
Submissions are open at thedailypour.com/water-choice-awards. For more information, email [email protected].
About The Daily Pour
Founded in 2024 by TV personality Dan Abrams, The Daily Pour is a beverage media platform covering spirits, zero-proof and functional drinks through expert reviews, proprietary scores, editorial storytelling and live experiences. Learn more at thedailypour.com.
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About The Daily Pour
Founded by Dan Abrams, The Daily Pour is the ultimate drinking guide for the modern consumer, covering spirits, non-alcoholic and hemp beverages. With its unique combination of cross-category coverage and signature rating system that aggregates reviews from trusted critics across the internet, The Daily Pour sets the standard as the leading authority in helping consumers discover, compare and enjoy the best of today's evolving drinks landscape.
