TOP 10 FINALISTS

The GABS Can Design Awards, presented by Orora, and thanks to Big Outdoor and Opal, is excited to announce the top 10 finalists, selected by public voting!

After careful deliberation, our expert judging panel has determined the final rankings, and the winners have been revealed! Grab a cold beer and explore these top selections in our virtual gallery below. Congratulations to all the winners!

#1 Capital Brewing Co

Tokyo Draft Rice Lager

Mick Healy

We brewed a crisp, clean rice lager and thought, how do we make this thing look as refreshing as it tastes? Answer: giant kaiju, cold tinny in claw, towering over Tokyo like he owns the joint. The Tokyo Draft can is a love letter to Japanese pop culture, with a wink and a cold one. From the rising sun to the city skyline and wild-eyed lizard wreaking refreshment, it’s designed to stand out in a sea of same-same. Clean lines, bold colours, and just enough chaos to make you double-take. Sayonara thirst, konnichiwa refreshment.

#2 Mountain Culture Brewing Co

MIDSoMMAR SUN

Nakia Tyrrell

The brief for Midsommar Sun was simply to create a can so hypnotically beautiful that people would want to drink it, keep it, and possibly even join a cult over it. Majority of the inspiration came from the 2019 film, Midsommar, focusing on a key visual of the film, the flower crown, with the design leaning into the bright florals. The central point of the illustration is a radiant, human faced sun, surrounded by an explosion of wildflowers, reflecting the beauty and energy of midsummer celebrations. The palette shows warm golds, fiery reds, and deep blues that mirror the beers amber glow and the glowing light of a solstice evening. The result is a design that balances creativity and storytelling.

#3 Rocky Ridge Brewing Co

Dopamine Drip

Ethan Ashton

Dystopian but not depressing, colourful conversation starter, commenting on the counter phone and social media culture. Artwork inspired by Trinity from the matrix but plugged into lots of drips feeding from colourful hops, crushing a phone in her hands, cameras replaced with eyes popping out.

#4 BentSpoke Brewing Co.

On the Terps

Jayden Barling

Terpenes are a new and innovative product in the Craft Beer Industry, the aim was to reflect that while combining visual elements from both BentSpoke and Mountain Culture. The smoke from the terpenes and the mountain bike combine with the mountain elements prevalent in both Mountain Culture and BentSpoke’s identities, as well as conveying the message that the cockatoo is literally on the terps. The illustrative style allowed the daunting Black IPA to be approached by a wide variety of people.

#5 Bowden Brewing

TAKE ME AWAY - DANK WEST COAST IPA

Shan Adcock

“Take Me Away” was all about having some fun with the idea of an alien encounter. Instead of the usual sci-fi drama, we imagined a chilled-out extraterrestrial hanging in the woods while a UFO beams down in the background. The warm sunset, retro vibe and little nods to classic alien pop culture set the scene for a beer that’s as bold and out-of-this-world as the label. It was also the perfect design to experiment with metallic printing, adding an extra layer of depth and shine that catches the eye. Just like the dank West Coast IIPA inside, it’s made to pull you out of the everyday and drop you somewhere far more interesting. The goal was simple: create a can that makes you stop, smile, and want to see what’s inside.

#6 Beerfarm

Beerfarm x Starward Barrel-Aged Imperial Milk Stout

Jenny Tang

For this very special limited release, we teamed up with our mates at Starward to brew a big, bold, barrel-aged imperial milk stout, and we knew the label had to match the vibe. We leaned into Starward’s name and brought to life the kind of dreamy night sky we see out here on the farm once the sun dips behind the paddocks. It’s a quiet kind of magic that happens when the brewhouse goes still and the stars put on a show. The design blends Beerfarm’s love for nature and honest brewing with Starward’s refined, whisky-loving spirit. A little bit moody, a little bit mysterious, just like the beer inside. It’s a nod to craft, collaboration, and those late-night moments best spent around a fire with something bloody delicious in hand.

#7 Sailors Grave Brewing

iNTO THE PINES FOREST ALE

Joe Lyward

Inspired by our love of botanical drawings, collecting, the forest floor and foraging

#8 Blackflag Brewing

STREET CRED RED IPA

Tammen Willmott

Street Cred Red IPA’s can is a bold celebration of Blackflag Brewing’s rebellious Sunshine Coast spirit. It’s deep burgundy base highlights the beer’s vibrant red hue, while graffiti-inspired “STREET CRED” lettering slashes diagonally across the front, creating instant visual punch. Lively streaks of sunlit yellow burst over the surface, hinting at the beer’s tropical hop flair and beachside energy. A punk figure in minimalist stencil style stands firm with a can of paint, symbolizing streetwise attitude and freedom. The design feels energetic, approachable, and authentic—like a mural alive with local stories. Blackflag’s unmistakable logo anchors the ensemble, ensuring strong brand presence without overpowering the creative chaos. Street Cred Red IPA’s can commands attention, invites curiosity, and perfectly bottles the beer’s lively, independent character.

#9 Jump Ship Brewing

EB X JSB "GINGER BEER"

Ella Boylan Art

Many of Jump Ship’s can designs celebrate the raw beauty of Port Lincoln and the South Australian coastline, so it was a natural fit to collaborate with local landscape artist and creative icon, Ella Boylan. The design, titled Silver Linings, captures the shifting skies, vibrant colours, and the serene energy found on the west coast.

It’s a tribute to those fleeting, magic moments in nature, when everything aligns and you feel both grounded and free. The artwork wraps the can like a window to the outside world, inviting the drinker to pause, breathe, and dream of wide open spaces. More than just a label, it’s a connection to place, to community, and to that indescribable, magic feeling.

#10 Heroes and Villains

Hedgehog

Shannon Mizen

Hedgehog is a Villain – Limited release..Orphaned by the slaughter of his family by rampaging badgers, the warrior walks the world in search of revenge. His is a bitter-sweet path.
The chocolate and vanilla core blends with coconut quills as he hides in the darkness.
Will the warrior slay the ghosts of past? Or is he destined to walk this world… Alone…