The Australian-made Community Spirit project by Nip of Courage has taken gold at this year’s global Spirits Business Awards for its contribution to the spirits industry.
In a virtual event streamed from the United Kingdom, the Spirits Business Awards champion the workforce of the spirits industry, in categories including marketing, sustainability, products, people and tourism.
The ten one-minute films produced by national distributor of Australian craft spirits Nip of Courage (NOC) received top prize in the ethical award category.
“It is truly an honour to be recognised on a global scale for the work we have done in our own backyard,” says NOC sales and marketing manager, Kathleen Davies.
“Aussie distillers had a tough year in 2020 and we hope that the message of The Community Spirit can be reinforced with this very exciting achievement.”
Following the devastating fires that engulfed parts of Australia at the beginning of the year, NOC national brand ambassador Abby Roennfeldt set out on a road trip covering 5,000 kilometres, filming the stories of the communities around 10 distilleries: Kangaroo Island Spirits, Craft Works Distillery, Karu Distillery, Joadja Distillery, Stony Creek Farm Distillery, Wildbrumby Distillery, Billson’s Beechworth, Hurdle Creek Still, Corowa Distilling Co., and Reed & Co. Distillery.
The initiative was made possible with funding from Spirits and Cocktails Australia, which also purchased products from fire-affected distilleries at retail value to donate to bushfire fundraising events.
Dubbed the Community Spirit, the series encapsulated the plight of many on the front line of an artisan industry.
“Our sector is vast and complex, relying on the abilities of people spanning a range of disciplines – many of whom stay out of the spotlight,” offers Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business. “[These awards] seek to give praise where praise is due.”
Nip of Courage reports it is hoping to repeat the Community Spirit initiative in 2021 and beyond, to continue to assist and promote Australian craft distillers and their regional communities.