Articles published under the media release byline are news produced by the relevant business and remain unedited by Brews News. This media release was circulated by the Royal Queensland Food & Wine Show.

A pilsner brewed in Sydney has won the title of Australia’s best beer at the Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show (RQFWS) Beer Awards at the Brisbane Showgrounds today.

Sydney Brewery beat more than 480 entries to take the title of Grand Champion Beer, winning a $5,000 Lion Bursary to invest in their business and make their award-winning beer even better.

RQFWS Beer Advisory Group member and judge Steve Henderson said the Sydney Brewery Pilsner was an outstanding example of the style.

“Pilsner is a hoppy lager, so we look for elevated hop intensity balanced with the rest of the beer,” he said.

“Since it’s a light style of beer it’s very difficult for the brewer to hide any faults and the team at Sydney Brewery has overcome this challenge.”

Meanwhile, the Best Queensland Beer of Show supported by Treasury Brisbane went to Brisbane-based Aether Brewing for their Hop Skip and Jump IPA.

“IPA is a style of beer with many components that need to come together to create a balanced drinking experience and the Aether team is laser focused on improving their product with each batch they brew,” Mr Henderson said.

“I look forward to seeing Aether Brewing’s beers distributed nationally, as the whole of Australia needs to see how good Queensland craft beer is.”

Rising star brewer Rowan Haling from Burleigh Brewing Co claimed the new Treasury Brisbane Best New Queensland Craft Brewer Award, winning a 12-month commercial contract to sell his brewery’s beer across Treasury Brisbane’s wide array of restaurants and bars.

As the sponsor of two new categories in the beer awards this year, Treasury Brisbane COO Kelvin Dodt congratulated all the winners and said he was proud to help promote and support Queensland’s craft brewing industry.

“As one of the city’s most lively and vibrant dining and entertainment destinations, we recognise the importance of promoting local products to help deliver authentic Queensland experiences to our guests,” Mr Dodt said.

“We’re pleased to support these new awards and look forward to working with Rowan to help grow his professional profile and provide further access to craft beer fans by showcasing his brewery’s products at our venues through a 12-month commercial contract.”

A total of 485 beers from 71 breweries were entered in the competition this year, with entries up 20 per cent on last year. Interstate entries doubled compared to 2020.

Thirty-nine gold medals were awarded this year and Mr Henderson said the standard had improved yet again.

“While the number of beers entered in the competition increased, so did the standard, making it challenging for the judges to determine the best of the best.”

Some of the medal-winners will now feature at the Kingdom of Beers event from April 9-11, held alongside Brisbane Cycling Festival at the Brisbane Showgrounds.

Below are the 2021 trophy winners. The full results catalogue is now available by clicking here.

2021 TROPHY AWARD WINNERS

GRAND CHAMPION BEER (Australia’s best beer)

Sydney Brewery – Sydney Brewery Pilsner Draught

BEST QUEENSLAND BEER OF SHOW SUPPORTED BY TREASURY BRISBANE

Aether Brewing – Hop Skip Jump IPA Draught

TREASURY BRISBANE BEST NEW QUEENSLAND CRAFT BREWER AWARD

Rowan Haling – Burleigh Brewing Co

CHAMPION BREWPUB

Moffat Beach Brewing Co

CHAMPION LARGE BREWERY SUPPORTED BY CRYER MALT AUSTRALIA

Black Hops Brewing

CHAMPION SMALL/MEDIUM BREWERY

Sydney Brewery

BEST NEW BREWERY

Stomping Ground Brewing Co

CHAMPION MIXED CULTURE BEER SUPPORTED BY 13 CABS

Currumbin Valley Brewing – Table Beer Packaged

CHAMPION STRONG BEER SUPPORTED BY 13 CABS

Aether Brewing – Hop Skip Jump IPA Draught

CHAMPION SESSION BEER SUPPORTED BY YAKIMA CHIEF HOPS

Moffat Beach Brewing Co – Moffs Summer Ale Draught

CHAMPION EUROPEAN-STYLE ALE

FICK Brewing Company – Brussels Ale Draught

CHAMPION INDIA PALE ALE SUPPORTED BY PACIFIC HOTEL BRISBANE

Black Hops Brewing – Code Red Packaged

CHAMPION LAGER SUPPORTED BY BARRETT BURSTON MALTING

Sydney Brewery – Sydney Brewery Pilsner Draught

CHAMPION HYBRID BEER

Felons Brewing Co – Dark Side Bourbon Barrel Stout Packaged

CHAMPION PORTER-STOUT SUPPORTED BY KONVOY

All Inn Brewing Co – Writersblock Packaged

CHAMPION AMBER DARK-ALE SUPPORTED BY PACIFIC HOTEL BRISBANE

Gypsy Fox Brewing Company – Rougey Red Packaged

CHAMPION PALE ALE SUPPORTED BY YAKIMA CHIEF HOPS

Moffat Beach Brewing Co – Passenger Pale Ale Draught