A Sunshine Coast brewery boasts the nation’s best beer, for the third time in five years.
Husband and wife brewers Shaz and Matt Wilson, from Moffat Beach Brewing Co, produced the beer that was judged Australia’s finest at the RNA’s Royal Queensland Beer Awards at the Brisbane Showgrounds on Thursday.
Their Trilogy Best Coast IPA was named the Grand Champion Beer of Show, after the Moff’s Summer Ale first won the prestigious crown in 2020 and 2023.
The brewery won a $5000 Lion bursary and further opportunities to be showcased during the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka).
Judge Steve Henderson said the winning brew was a fresh, aromatic, hoppy IPA that perfectly suited the Queensland climate.
“The Grand Champion beer had to go through three rounds of judging and it came out on top each time,” he said.
“The Trilogy Best Coast IPA truly is the best of the best.”
“Moffat Beach Brewing Co has demonstrated in this competition they can make a good beer, year after year.
“The fact they won Grand Champion in 2020 and 2023 and have backed it up again this year, shows they’re a high-quality brewery consistently outperforming the rest of the industry.”
The Sunshine Coast couple and their brewery also picked up Best Queensland Beer, Champion India Pale Ale, with Trilogy Best Coast.
Sunshine Coast brewery 10 Toes Brewing claimed Best Artistic Beer Label, with their Culture Kick Margarita Lime Gose.
It was fierce competition in this year’s Royal Queensland Beer Awards, with 622 beers entered across 18 categories including two new trophies for 2024 – for Best Contract Brewer and for Best Artistic Label.
A team of 48 experienced brewers, sensory experts and industry figures judged the brews over two days this week.
Mr Henderson said the quality of beers entered into the country’s first beer competition of the calendar year had increased.
“There was a marked improvement in the standard of beers this year,” he said.
“There was less incidence of faults such as oxidation and diacetyl which demonstrates the brewers are now focussed more than ever on beer quality.
“We also saw brewers willing to step out of their comfort zone and brew a beer not often made for the Australian market – the world class German Hefeweizen style,” he said.
The awards also recognises up and coming brewers, through The Star Brisbane Emerging Queensland Brewer category.
Daniel Thomsen from Slipstream Brewing Company in Brisbane claimed the award and will now have his beers sold at a vast array of The Star outlets across southeast Queensland.
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, distilled spirits and wine products year after year,” he said.
“Our awards date back to 1876, and the RNA continues to give Australian brewers a platform to shine, be judged against their peers and get great consumer market exposure.” Below are the 2024 trophy winners.
Sunshine Coast winners at the the RNA’s Royal Queensland Beer Awards
- Grand Champion Beer – Australia’s best beer: Moffat Beach Brewing Co – Trilogy Best Coast IPA
- Champion Pale Ale Supported by HPA: Moffat Beach Brewing Co – Trilogy Best Coast
- The Star Brisbane Best Queensland Beer of Show: Moffat Beach Brewing Co – Trilogy Best Coast
- Best Artistic Beer Label: 10 Toes Brewing – Culture Kick Margarita Lime Gose
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