Australia’s best and brightest brews and brewers were lauded on Friday night at the awards event for the Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show.
2016 marks the 10-year anniversary for the event, hosted by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, attracting almost 200 of Australia’s finest beers and ciders.
The professionally judged line-up of beverages has evolved to become one of the most competitive and respected places for brewers to fare their wares, and somewhat prophetic in tipping some summer tipples soon to become popular.
The judging panel consists of 26 experts, each with years of professional experience, chaired by Institute of Beer director Neal Cameron. He was joined by industry stalwarts such as Ian Kingham, Tina Panoutsos, Chris Sheehan, Shawn Sherlock and Warrick Billings.
“The options of beer and cider available to the everyday consumer have increased dramatically, however now we’re also seeing the quality increase across the board,” said Cameron.
“It’s a good time to be a beer or cider drinker in Australia.”
A difference with the Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show is that the judges go beyond tasting and rating each product, and provide the exhibitor with personal feedback. This has been a contributing factor to the consistently growing standard of submissions over the years.
“Although we didn’t see a rise in the number of Gold medals awarded this year, there were an enormous amount of Silvers and Bronzes, which shows the overall quality continues to improve,” noted Cameron.
High on the list of accolades this year were:
Bridge Road Brewers – picking up both Champion Bottled Beer, and Best in Show – Beer, for its Robust Porter.
Redoak – taking home Best NSW Beer, and Champion Draught Beer, for Redoak Aussie Lager.
Franklin Cider Company – won both Champion Perry, and Best in Show – Cider/Perry, for Frank’s Summer Pear Cider.
The full list of winners can be found here.
2016 Gold Medals and Champions
CLASS: 10 Amber & Dark Ales
Gold Medal: BRIDGE ROAD BREWERS. BEECHWORTH, VIC
BLING IPA Score: 91
CLASS: 11 Stouts and Porters
Gold Medal: BRIDGE ROAD BREWERS. BEECHWORTH, VIC
ROBUST PORTER Score: 90.67
CLASS: 14 Strong Beers – English, Scottish, American or Other. Minimum alcohol content 6%
Gold Medal: GRAND RIDGE BREWERY. MIRBOO NORTH, VIC
MOONSHINE Score: 90.67
CLASS: 18 Golden Lagers – Australian Style
Gold Medal: REDOAK. CAMMERAY, NSW
AUSSIE LAGER Score: 90.67
CLASS: 30 Strong Beers – English, Scottish, American or Other. Minimum alcohol content 6%
Gold Medal: HOPE BREWHOUSE. POKOLBIN, NSW
BARREL AGED IMPERIAL STOUT Score: 91
CLASS: 39 Sweet Perry. Specific gravity 1012 and above
Gold Medal: FRANKLIN CIDER COMPANY. FRANKLIN, TAS
FRANK’S SUMMER PEAR CIDER Score: 90.33
CLASS: S001 CHAMPION BOTTLED BEER (Classes 1 – 16)
BRIDGE ROAD BREWERS. BEECHWORTH, VIC
ROBUST PORTER
CLASS: S002 CHAMPION DRAUGHT BEER (Classes 17 – 32)
REDOAK. CAMMERAY, NSW
AUSSIE LAGER
CLASS: S003 BEST IN SHOW – BEER (Classes 1 – 32)
BRIDGE ROAD BREWERS. BEECHWORTH, VIC
ROBUST PORTER
CLASS: S004 BEST NSW BEER (Classes 1 – 32)
REDOAK. CAMMERAY, NSW
AUSSIE LAGER
CLASS: S006 CHAMPION PERRY (Classes 37 – 40)
FRANKLIN CIDER COMPANY. FRANKLIN, TAS
FRANK’S SUMMER PEAR CIDER
CLASS: S008 BEST IN SHOW – CIDER/PERRY (Classes 33 – 40)
FRANKLIN CIDER COMPANY. FRANKLIN, TAS
FRANK’S SUMMER PEAR CIDER