2025 America's Best Hemp THC Beverage Awards Welcomes Sèchey as New Host in Charleston

The 2025 America's Best Hemp THC Beverage Awards just made headlines with its exciting partnership with Sèchey, a renowned name in non-alcoholic and functional beverages. This collaboration sets the stage for a vibrant competition that aims to elevate the hemp-derived THC beverage landscape. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Sèchey is celebrated for its commitment to mindful drinking and innovative, hemp-infused products.

A New Chapter in Hemp Beverage Excellence

The new competition hosts will hold the awards at Sèchey's flagship location, underscoring Charleston's growing reputation as a hub for hemp beverage innovation. With judging dates scheduled for October 20-22, 2025, this event promises to spotlight both established and emerging brands within the industry.

Emily Heintz, Sèchey's founder and CEO, has taken on the role of co-chair alongside Matti Anttila, founder of Grain Barrel Spirits. Anttila expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting, "We’re thrilled to partner with Sèchey to bring the competition to Charleston—a city celebrated for its vibrant food and beverage scene."

Heintz echoed this sentiment, remarking, "At Sèchey, we’ve seen firsthand the consumer demand for well-crafted, hemp-infused alternatives. These awards are more than a contest—they’re about honoring quality, innovation, and the brands shaping the next era of beverage culture."

Expanded Opportunities and New Features

With the competition already seeing over 100 entries with many more on the horizon, several enhancements have been made to encourage participation. The introduction of a Triple-Tier Awards Structure will honor the best brands at state, regional, and national levels, granting multiple recognition avenues.

New subcategories based on THC strength (Low-Dose, High-Potency) and formats (Seltzer, Shots, Large format, Cocktail-Inspired) have also been added. This not only diversifies entries but enhances visibility for brands to showcase their innovative products effectively.

Furthermore, an influential judging panel formed with industry experts, retail buyers, and beverage innovators will evaluate the submissions. Sponsorship opportunities for companies across the beverage and cannabis sectors will provide high-visibility engagements with some of the category’s most dynamic brands.

Entry Information

Participants looking to enter have until September 30, 2025, to submit their entries. The early bird pricing offers a 20% discount through June 30, 2025, rounding up a standard entry fee of $300 per product. For those interested in packaging categories, an optional fee of $75 per design is also available. Volume discounts apply for brands submitting three or more products, making it more accessible for all applications.

Winners will be announced publicly after the competition wraps up in Charleston, with full media coverage and visibility for all medalists. This year’s awards are slated to be the most competitive yet, highlighting leading innovators in the rapidly growing adult beverage sector.

Why This Matters

This partnership and the expanded competition structure reflect a broader trend in consumer preferences towards hemp-infused beverages. As the industry grows, the need for well-crafted, high-quality options is paramount. The awards will serve as a platform for brands to gain credibility and recognition in the marketplace.

To find more information or to enter the competition, interested brands can visit America's Best Hemp Beverages.

With more updates on judge announcements, media partnerships, and special events in Charleston’s judging week coming soon, the excitement around the 2025 America's Best Hemp THC Beverage Awards is palpable.

For press inquiries, sponsorship details, or interviews with the co-chairs, contact [press@americasbestbeverages.com]. Stay connected on social media for all the latest developments by following their Instagram handle @americasbestbeverages.