BentSpoke Crankshaft has won #1 back-to-back in the GABS Hottest 100 Australian Craft Beer Poll. This is the second year in first place and 5th year on the podium. With 2,238 beers nominated from 281 breweries across Australia, it is no mean feat to make it to that number 1 spot 2 years in a row. Canberra brewers BentSpoke and Capital accounted for 11% of beers in the top 100, while BentSpoke had 5 craft beers from their range make it into the top 100.

The annual GABS Hottest 100 has become an institution for craft beer lovers across Australia, counting down alongside the Triple J Hottest 100 on January 22nd. Venues across the country host countdown parties with taps freely flowing as they pause to celebrate the great Australian Craft beer industry. Since it started in 2008, this people’s choice countdown has revealed consumer trends and breweries shaping the Australian craft beer landscape.

GABS Festival said, “Canberra’s favourite remains Australia’s favourite for another year and add to the gold world beer award it received earlier this year.”

GABS isn’t the only award BentSpoke have won in 2021 proving it’s not only popular with craft drinkers in Australia but showcases its outstanding quality on a global scale. They also won 1st place, a gold medal win in the smallpack ale class for Crankshaft IPA. Second place silver medal in the smallpack ale class for Barley Griffin Pale Ale. Second place silver medal in the strong beer class for Red Nut at the International Brewing Awards held in the UK. BentSpoke also took home a trophy for Best Traditional IPA for Sprocket Draught this year at the Australian International Beer Awards.

BentSpoke also had 5 of its other mainstay craft brews land in the top 100 best in the country with Barley Griffin their Canberra Pale Ale in #12. Sprocket a big and hoppy IPA at #41. Cluster 8 an Imperial IPA snagging #45. Red Nut a red and hoppy IPA at #91.

“Last year was an amazing feeling to see Crankshaft, one of our original BrewPub beers make it to the top of the podium, so to see it win that top spot back-to-back is such a special and exciting thing for Tracy, myself and the whole BentSpoke team. We love doing what we do every day and to have Australian’s vote for our beer and say that it is their favourite, makes it even more special”. – Richard Watkins, head brewer and co-founder.

“Our goal is to produce a quality product whether at the brewpub or at the cannery every day, experimenting, and trying new things to bring the people who love our beer a great tasting quality product. It’s what defines us and pushes us to do our best every year. So, to win again, humbles us to know our hard work and love and passion for the craft beer industry has been recognised. To that, we say Thanks and Cheers!” – Tracy Margrain, head brewer and co-founder

BentSpoke Brewing Co. is the brainchild of Co-Founders and Head Brewers Richard Watkins and Tracy Margrain who opened the BentSpoke BrewPub in 2014 to overwhelming support from the local Canberra community. It was then in 2016 that they opened a full-scale production facility in Mitchell ACT to can their beers, which are now sold nationwide. Crankshaft, Richard and Tracy’s winning beer, is the same recipe from the BrewPub that they brewed back in 2014 when they opened the BrewPub.

The list of BentSpoke beers that made the GABS hottest 100 countdown for 2021 include:

• Crankshaft an American IPA #1
• Barley Griffin Canberra Pale Ale #12
• Sprocket American IPA #41
• Cluster 8 Imperial IPA #45
• Red Nut Red IPA #91