Media Release

Lovedale Brewery brings ‘gold’ to the Hunter

Lovedale Lager makes its mark in the Australia International Beer Awards

Brewer Michael Capaldo

The Hunter Valley’s newest brewery – Lovedale Brewery – achieved ‘gold’ status in its very first year with the Lovedale Lager winning the Australia Trophy for Best European Style Lager in the Australian International Beer Awards, announced on Friday in Melbourne.

Lovedale Lager was also chosen in the top three beers in the competition out of 1560 entrants.

The Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) champions beer and brewing excellence in Australia and around the world. As one of the best brewing competitions in the world and the second largest of its kind, the AIBA is renowned for showcasing and celebrating the highest quality beer.

In 2014, the competition attracted 1,560 entries from 31 countries, with 25 trophies awarded by judges from Australia, Norway, Belgium, United States, United Kingdom, Japan and New Zealand.

The Lovedale Brewery was established two months ago at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, having developed out of the Schwartz Family Group’s Sydney Brewery. The Sydney Brewery also achieved success with three bronze medals for their Glamarama Summer Ale, Newtown Bitter and Potts Point Porter beers.

Lovedale Brewery is a glass-walled working boutique brewery, which has the ability to produce up to 200,000 litres of beer annually and eight beers at a time including the new Lovedale Lager.

The brewery also has a hand-made distillation unit which will be used in the future to produce a range of spirits to complement the cider and beer.
Four dedicated serving vessels deliver beer and cider directly from the brewery to the adjacent Lovedale Bar & Restaurant, which has a special menu designed to complement the range of beers. The Brewery offers tastings and sales of its beers.

Commenting on the success of the Lovedale Lager at the Australia International Beer Awards, Head Brewer, Michael Capaldo, said that it was great news for the Hunter Valley to have such a strong showing in the Awards.

“Lovedale Brewery might be new but it has made an immediate impact and we hope to make the Hunter Valley as famous for its beers as it is for its wines,” said Mr Capaldo

“The Lovedale Brewery will showcase locally produced craft beers, and in the future we will look to add whiskeys and other spirits.

“With its location in the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley we are able to offer visitors a very attractive tasting experience, with the option of dining at the new Lovedale Bar & Restaurant.”

For full details about the Awards: