Australian startup beats Coca-Cola and PepsiCo as new beverage category gains global traction

East Forged wins 'Best Drink Innovation' at World Food Innovation Awards as demand surges

Australian beverage company East Forged has been named Best Drink Innovation at the 2026 World Food Innovation Awards in London, beating global giants including The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo.

Selected from more than 100 entries across 28 countries, the awards are widely regarded as a global benchmark for excellence in food and beverage innovation.

The recognition comes as demand for non-alcoholic alternatives continues to accelerate globally. 

“We just wanted to make something we’d actually enjoy drinking ourselves. 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.”

- Tania Stacey, Co-Founder & World Tea Brewing Champion 

 

A NEW CATEGORY FOR A CHANGING MARKET 

Founded by tea industry veterans Kym Cooper and Tania Stacey, East Forged was built on a simple idea: to elevate tea from a functional beverage into something more refined, similar to what the craft beer industry has achieved.

Each batch is brewed for up to 12 hours using whole tea leaves sourced from ethical growers in Australia and China, before being infused with nitrogen at the canning stage to create a smooth, creamy texture and signature foamy head, earning the product the nickname “the Guinness of tea”.

Unlike traditional ready-to-drink teas, the range contains no added sugars, colours or artificial flavours.

The approach is resonating with a growing cohort of consumers seeking better alternatives to both alcohol and sugar-laden soft drinks, as global drinking habits continue to shift. 

“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.”

- Kym Cooper, Co-Founder 

The brand is gaining traction across a range of  demographics from younger consumers moderating alcohol intake to older consumers moving away from alcohol for health reasons.

GROWTH ACCELERATES AS DEMAND SHIFTS 

The global recognition comes as East Forged sees rapid growth in Australia, particularly through its direct-to-consumer channel.

Over the past year, production has grown approximately 140% year-on-year, supported by consistent month-on-month growth, while its e-commerce business has surged as consumers increasingly seek out premium non-alcoholic options not widely available in retail. 

East Forged is currently stocked in more than 200 locations nationally, including Harris Farm Markets and select independent retailers.  

BACKED TO SCALE GLOBALLY 

The award follows a period of strong momentum for the company, including a $1.5 million capital raise led by Global Mind Agriculture Australia, the venture arm of Vietnamese agribusiness TTC AgriS and selection for the Australian Government's Industry Growth Program.

The federal grant is supporting the commercialisation of East Forged's proprietary brewing process and its expansion into Southeast Asia and the United States.

Together, the funding positions the company to scale both production and international distribution as demand for non-alcoholic alternatives continues to grow.

Judges said East Forged stood out for rethinking how tea is made and experienced, using cold-brew and nitrogen infusion to create a more textured, full-bodied drink without relying on sugar or additives. They also noted the brand’s ability to bring new consumers into the category by offering something that feels both familiar and entirely new.

According to FoodBev Media, which runs the awards, this year's winners reflect a broader shift across the global food and beverage industry towards health, transparency and purpose-driven innovation.