Entries close this Friday for the 2016 Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Festival, set to be another record year and extension of the “fantastic flavours” inspiring the judges.
Judging for this year’s entries will be performed by an austere line-up of olfactory prowess, led by Institute of Beer director Neal Cameron, who looks forward to the “experimental classes” continuing to evolve.
“We’re particularly interesting in breweries sending us a few of their more ‘creative’ beers, by hand-delivered growler if they like; something to keep the poor tired judges on their toes as the afternoon wears on,” he told PubTIC.
“There are some fantastic flavours out there, fruity and smoked just to name a few, and the judging panel would love to judge the best and most interesting beer and ciders Australia has to offer.”
Joining Cameron on the judging panel will be leading industry professionals Ian Kingham, Tina Panoutsos, Chris Sheehan, Shawn Sherlock and Warrick Billings.
Judging will take place in a closed session on Tuesday, 20 September, and for the first time, winners will be announced at the Fine Food & Good Brew Awards Evening on the Friday (23 September). This public event will give attendees the opportunity to partake of medal-winning beers, ciders and food.
The Festival awards entries of exceptional quality, rather than limiting accolades to the winners of specific titles or categories. Cameron says it is good to see the standard grow along with the popularity of the competition.
“It’s pleasing to not only see the number of entries rise but gold medals awarded as well. More entries do not always mean more medals, but Australia’s quality of beer and cider is rising and we pride ourselves on acknowledging these fantastic producers with Sydney Royal medals.”
Operated by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS), the 2016 Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show will be taking place at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, with the Awards evening to take place nearby at The Stables, Hawkesbury St at Sydney Olympic Park.
Tickets for the Awards are $70, and available through the RAS.
