Little Creatures’ Warren Pawsey and Andy Scade

Little Creatures Brewing has won the top prize at the 2016 Craft Beer Awards.

The WA brewer’s Pilsner was named Champion Australian Craft Beer, after picking up the trophy for Champion Light Lager in 2015.

Little Creatures Geelong head brewer Warren Pawsey told Australian Brews News: “It’s really good that the finesse and delicate flavours in lager are coming in, as a style now.”

“It’s a great beer and hopefully this will help people try itagain…They might have had it five years ago, or ten years ago. You’ve got to try this beer again.”

Added Little Creatures Fremantle brewer Andy Scade: “It was the unloved child of Little Creatures and it was the gateway beer when you came into the venue, back in the day.”

“I like the recognition that lager can win, I think it’s great.”

Continuing itsbeer awards dominance, Pirate Life Brewing was named Champion Brewery in the Large category.

Green Beacon was named Champion Brewery in the Medium category, while Hope Brewery won Champion Brewery in the Small category.

Hugh Dunn won the CBIA Services to Australian Craft Beer Award.

A full list of trophy winning beers is below:

CLASS – BREWERY – NAME OF BEER

Pale Ale – Pirate Life Brewing – Pirate Life Pale Ale

Amber Dark Ale – Colonial Brewing Co – Pale

Porter-Stout – Black Font Brewhouse – Brown Porter

Wheat – Stone & Wood – Stone & Wood Gose

Specialty Beer – Green Beacon Brewing Co. – Bourbon Barrel Strong Ale

Lager – Little Creatures Brewing – Pilsner

IPA (India Pale Ale) – Murray’s Craft Brewing Co Pty Ltd – Thunderbolt

French and Belgian Style – Nomad Brewing co – Long Trip Saison

Chris McNamara, executive officer of the Craft Beer Industry Association (CBIA), said the calibre of craft beer in Australia had reached new heights.

“It is no secret that the popularity of craft beer in recent years has heralded major changes to the industry.

“Only a couple of years ago craft beer was still considered a niche industry but now it is very much themainstream.

“The level of entries at this year’s awards have surpassed the quality of previous years and the flavours and techniques Australia’s leading craft brewers have employed are world-class,” he said.

Full list of results.