Brisbane based beverage company East Forged has been named Best Drink Innovation at the 2026 World Food Innovation Awards in London, ahead of entrants including The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo.
Selected from more than 100 entries across 28 countries, the awards recognise food and beverage innovation. The result comes as demand for non-alcoholic alternatives continues to grow.
“We just wanted to make something we’d actually enjoy drinking ourselves,” said Tania Stacey, co-founder of East Forged.
“Tea’s always been part of everyday life in Australia, but when we started looking into it properly, there’s this whole world of tea that people don’t really see.
“To have that recognised on a global stage like this – especially up against companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi – it’s pretty special for a small Australian business.”
Founded by Kym Cooper and Tania Stacey, East Forged focuses on repositioning tea as a more refined beverage.
Each batch is brewed for up to 12 hours using whole tea leaves sourced from growers in Australia and China, then infused with nitrogen during canning to create a smooth texture and foamy head. The range contains no added sugars, colours or artificial flavours.
The approach is attracting consumers seeking alternatives to alcohol and sugary soft drinks.
“In the early days people tried to compare it to non-alcoholic beer or wine, and it didn’t quite fit. What we’re seeing now is people just want something good to drink. They’re not looking for a substitute, they just want something that stands on its own,” said Cooper.
The brand is gaining traction across different consumer groups, including younger people reducing alcohol intake and older consumers moving away from alcohol for health reasons.
East Forged has reported growth in Australia, particularly through direct to consumer sales. Over the past year, production increased by about 140 per cent, alongside steady monthly growth.
East Forged is stocked in more than 200 locations nationally, including Harris Farm Markets and independent retailers.
The award follows a period of growth for the company, including a $1.5 million capital raise led by Global Mind Agriculture Australia and selection for the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Program.
The funding supports commercialisation of the company’s brewing process and expansion into Southeast Asia and the United States.
Judges said East Forged stood out for its use of cold brew and nitrogen infusion to create a different texture without relying on sugar or additives.
“What stood out at this year’s awards was the level of thinking behind the entries. In the drinks category in particular, there was a clear move beyond traditional formulas, with more focus on innovation and how products fit into changing consumer habits. East Forged is a good example of that, taking a familiar product and reworking it into something that feels like a category of its own,” said Angeline Achariya, World Food Innovation Awards judge.