On April 7, 2026, Altered Species Brewing Co., Ironwood Steakhouse, and Perch won the 10th annual Mash Madness drink competition, announced by Downtown Sioux Falls. This year's event, a month-long celebration of Sioux Falls' beverage scene, saw record participation and highlighted key consumer shifts, contributing significantly to the local economy.
This year's Mash Madness results validated two major movements: the refinement of classic cocktails and the dramatic surge in sophisticated non-alcoholic options. The annual contest serves as a real-time barometer for the flavor and wellness industry, revealing consumer preferences and categories experiencing explosive growth. With a reported economic impact of nearly $300,000, the event provides a data-driven snapshot of drinking trends in Sioux Falls and beyond.
What We Know So Far
- Altered Species Brewing Co. secured the win in the craft beer category for its IPA, Courting Dance, as confirmed by multiple sources.
- Ironwood Steakhouse won the craft cocktail category with its Emerald Old Fashioned, which also achieved the highest overall score in the competition at 9.60, according to a report from siouxfalls.business.
- Perch successfully defended its title in the non-alcoholic drink category, winning for a second consecutive year with its Banana Pudding Matcha.
- The competition, which ran throughout March, generated an estimated $295,000 in overall economic impact and over $70,000 in direct beverage sales, according to Downtown Sioux Falls.
- Participation grew significantly, with 2,781 votes cast, marking a 15% increase from the previous year. A total of 7,668 specialty drinks were sold across 31 competing downtown establishments.
- The non-alcoholic category demonstrated remarkable growth, experiencing a 132 percent increase in participation over last year, signaling a significant shift in consumer preferences.
Mash Madness Winners: Top Drinks Revealed
Thousands of patrons sampled offerings from 31 downtown venues throughout March, culminating in the public vote that crowned three champions for the 10th annual Mash Madness. These results reflect Sioux Falls residents' discerning palate, rewarding both innovation and masterful execution of classic formulas.
Ironwood Steakhouse emerged as a standout, not only winning the craft cocktail division but also earning the highest score of the entire competition. Its Emerald Old Fashioned, a creative take on a timeless classic, received a remarkable score of 9.60 from voters. This victory underscores a prevailing theme observed this year: a return to well-known, traditional drinks that are elevated through premium ingredients and meticulous technique. In the highly competitive craft beer category, Altered Species Brewing Co. took home the top prize for its Courting Dance IPA. The win is particularly noteworthy, as it was announced on National Beer Day, adding a celebratory note for the brewery. As one representative told KELOLAND News, “It’s National Beer Day today, so accepting an award on National Beer Day for your beer is pretty cool.”
Perch repeated its victory in the non-alcoholic category from last year, with its Banana Pudding Matcha scoring an impressive 9.54. This back-to-back win solidified Perch's reputation as a leader in the alcohol-free space and indicates that establishments investing in high-quality, creative non-alcoholic beverages are meeting a rapidly expanding consumer demand.
| Category | Winner | Winning Beverage | Reported Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craft Cocktail | Ironwood Steakhouse | Emerald Old Fashioned | 9.60 |
| Non-Alcoholic Drink | Perch | Banana Pudding Matcha | 9.54 |
| Craft Beer | Altered Species Brewing Co. | Courting Dance IPA | Not Reported |
Key Drink Trends from Mash Madness 2024
The 2026 Mash Madness data reveals a meteoric rise in the non-alcoholic category, with a 132 percent increase in participation compared to 2025. This seismic shift is evidenced by the sale of 2,097 non-alcoholic drinks, rivaling the 2,445 cocktails sold, proving it's no longer a niche market. Consumers actively seek complex, flavorful, well-crafted alcohol-free options, and Perch's high-scoring, repeat victory with a unique matcha creation demonstrates that success in this space demands the same creativity and quality as alcoholic counterparts.
Another dominant trend is what Downtown Sioux Falls CEO Brandon Hanson described as a return to familiar comforts. "I think people are leaning back into traditional drinks and just making them the best they possibly can versus coming up with something absolutely wild," Hanson observed in a statement to KELOLAND News. Ironwood Steakhouse’s win with an Old Fashioned is the perfect embodiment of this trend. Instead of relying on novelty, the winning cocktail focused on perfecting a classic. This suggests a consumer base that values quality and craftsmanship over fleeting fads. It’s a move toward refinement, where the story is not about a bizarre new ingredient but about how perfectly a familiar flavor profile can be executed. This trend challenges mixologists to innovate within established boundaries, a skill that clearly resonates with voters.
The dual rise of perfected classic cocktails and sophisticated non-alcoholic drinks reflects a consumer demand for intentionality. Whether choosing an impeccably made Old Fashioned or a thoughtfully constructed Banana Pudding Matcha, modern consumers are making deliberate choices. More educated about ingredients and techniques, they reward establishments that respect that intelligence, signaling the end of sugary sodas as sole non-alcoholic options or poorly made cocktails. Excellence is now the universal trend.
Finally, the competition's economic footprint cannot be overstated. The generation of an estimated $295,000 in economic impact and over $70,000 in sales from 7,668 drinks sold highlights the power of such events to support local economies. As stated in a release from Argus Leader, "Mash Madness continues to be a powerful example of how Downtown Sioux Falls comes together to support small businesses, embrace creativity and create memorable experiences." The 15% increase in voter turnout further suggests a strengthening bond between the community and its local establishments, turning a simple drink purchase into an act of civic and economic participation.
What Happens Next
Downtown Sioux Falls organizers will now analyze data from the record-breaking 10th annual Mash Madness to plan the 11th iteration for March 2027. This year's success sets a high bar, prompting local breweries, bars, and cafes to likely begin brainstorming their next entries.
Several key questions emerge from this year's results. Will the non-alcoholic category continue its exponential growth, and will it command an even larger share of sales and votes next year? Following the success of the Emerald Old Fashioned, will more establishments focus on perfecting classic recipes rather than chasing novelty? And how will the craft beer category respond, as IPAs continue to show their staying power but face increasing competition for the consumer's dollar from cocktails and non-alcoholic options? The answers will unfold over the next year, shaping the beverage landscape of Sioux Falls and offering insights for the wider flavor and wellness industry.
