07/10/2026
LAS VEGAS AND MIAMI GLOBAL SPIRIT AWARDS ESTABLISH STEVE BEAL MEMORIAL CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
New annual honor will recognize the single spirit selected by the Chairman of the Judges Panel as the most exceptional entry in each competition
LAS VEGAS and MIAMI — July 10, 2026 — The Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards and Miami Global Spirit Awards today announced the creation of the Steve Beal Memorial Chairman’s Award, a permanent annual honor established following the passing of longtime Chairman of the Judges Panel Steve Beal on July 2, 2026.
The Steve Beal Memorial Chairman’s Award will be presented at each competition to the single spirit that, in the personal opinion of the Chairman of the Judges Panel, represents the most exceptional entry evaluated during that year’s judging.
Selected from among all spirits entered, the recipient will be chosen for its overall quality, character, craftsmanship, and distinction. The award will stand apart as a special recognition reflecting the Chairman’s experience, judgment, and appreciation of exceptional spirits.
Beal served as Chairman of the Judges Panel for both the Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards and Miami Global Spirit Awards, and was the only Chairman in the history of the competitions. His leadership, extraordinary knowledge, and unwavering commitment to integrity helped establish the judging standards and culture that continue to define both organizations.
“Steve’s passing has left me with a sense of sadness that is almost impossible to express,” said Eddie Rivkin, Founder and CEO of the Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards and Miami Global Spirit Awards. “Steve was much more than the Chairman of our Judges Panel. He was my mentor, my trusted advisor, and my dear friend. From the beginning, he believed in what we were building and helped shape these competitions through his wisdom, credibility, and uncompromising commitment to doing things the right way.”
Throughout his distinguished career, Beal became one of the most respected and influential figures in the international whisky and spirits community. He was known not only for his extraordinary knowledge but also for his generosity, humility, and willingness to mentor others throughout the industry.
“Steve was the only Chairman our competitions have ever known,” Rivkin continued. “His standards became our standards. His belief in fairness, thoughtful discussion, and judging every spirit solely on its merits became part of the foundation of both the Las Vegas and Miami Global Spirit Awards.”
The creation of the award ensures that Beal’s name and influence will remain permanently connected to the competitions he helped guide.
“No award could ever fully represent what Steve meant to me personally or what he contributed to the whisky and spirits industries,” Rivkin said. “The Steve Beal Memorial Chairman’s Award is our way of ensuring that his legacy continues. Each year, an extraordinary spirit will receive an honor bearing his name, selected through the experience and judgment of the Chairman, just as Steve approached every glass placed before him.”
Rivkin added, “This award will preserve and celebrate the legacy of Steve Beal in the whisky industry and in spirits competition judging. Future judges, distillers, and brand owners will know his name, understand what he represented, and recognize the extraordinarily high standard associated with receiving an award created in his memory.”
The Steve Beal Memorial Chairman’s Award will become a permanent feature of both competitions beginning with their next respective judging events. Additional details regarding the presentation and physical design of the award will be announced at a later date.
