A Sunshine Coast couple have produced the best beer in Australia, for the second time in three years.
Husband and wife brewers Shaz and Matt Wilson, from the Moffat Beach Brewing Co, created the Moff’s Summer Ale, which was named the Rallings Grand Champion Beer of Show at the RNA’s Royal Queensland Beer Awards.
It was also adjudged the best in 2020.
The brewery received a $5000 Lion bursary and further opportunities to be showcased during Queensland’s largest event, the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka).
Judge Steve Henderson said the beer was well-made and easy-drinking, and that it was produced by a team of talented brewers.
“Moffat Beach Brewing Co has demonstrated in this competition they can make a good beer, year after year,” he said.
“The fact they won Grand Champion in 2020 and have backed it up again this year, shows they’re a high-quality brewery consistently outperforming the rest of the industry.”
The Grand Champion trophy was just one of four awards for the couple at the event during the week.
They also picked up Best Queensland Beer, Best Session Beer and Best Small to Medium Brewery.
The brewery also won awards at the Australian International Beer Awards and at The Indies last year.
It was fierce competition in this year’s national awards at the Brisbane Showgrounds, with a record 663 beers entered, an increase of more than 15 per cent compared to last year.
A team of 50 experienced brewers, sensory experts and industry figures judged the brews over two days this week.
Mr Henderson said the number of entries rose this year and so did the quality of beers.
“There was a marked improvement in the standard of beers this year,” he said.
“One of the areas that improved the most was non-alcoholic beer, which has just gone from strength to strength.
“You don’t even know they’re non-alcoholic beers when tasting them – it wasn’t like that a few years ago.”
The Royal Queensland Beer Awards also recognised up-and-coming brewers, through The Star Entertainment Group Best New Queensland Craft Brewer of the Year.
Josh Batten from 10 Toes Brewery on the Sunshine Coast claimed the award and will now have his beers sold at The Star outlets across southeast Queensland.
Meanwhile, Glass House Brewery won the Champion Pale Ale category, with their Tropical Pale Ale Draught.
RNA chief executive Brendan Christou said the Royal Queensland Awards showcased Australia’s best.
“As one of the most prestigious food, wine and beer awards in Australia, the Royal Queensland Awards is dedicated to unearthing the nation’s top food, beer and wine products year after year,” he said.
“Our awards date back to 1875, and the RNA continues to give Australian brewers a platform to shine, be judged against their peers and get great consumer market exposure.”
Sunshine Coast winners
- Rallings Grand Champion Beer: Moffat Beach Brewing Co – Moff’s Summer Ale Draught
- Champion Pale Ale (supported by Yakima Chief Hops): Glass House Brewery – Tropical Pale Ale Draught
- Champion Session Beer (supported by Yakima Chief Hops): Moffat Beach Brewing Co – Moff’s Summer Ale Draught
- The Star Entertainment Group Best Queensland Beer of Show: Moffat Beach Brewing Co – Moff’s Summer Ale Draught
- HPA Champion Snall/Medium Brewery: Moffat Beach Brewing Co
- The Star Entertainment Group Best New Queensland Craft Brewer of the Year: Josh Batten – 10 Toes Brewery
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