By James Atkinson
McLaren Vale Beer Company's new American dark lager, VALE/DRK, has picked up major award wins at the 7th annual Australian Beer Festival in Sydney and the Royal Queensland Food & Wine Show.
VALE/DRK was judged best Dark Beer at the Australian Beer Festival, which attracted 24 brewers from across Australia and 100 individual beer entries.
It also scored a gold medal in the Dark Lagers category at the Royal Queensland Food & Wine Show, where 50 beer entries competed across nine categories.
The awards follow VALE/DRY’s gold medal at the International Beer Challenge in August.
Managing director Adam Trippe-Smith said entering beer competitions was an important way for the company to gain feedback on its brews and also to have fun with beer fans.
"In particular, the Australian Beer Festival attracted thousands of visitors and our team loved pouring beers for Sydney’s beer drinkers," he said.
"We live for beer festivals and the craft beer industry, and the growing sense of enthusiasm and pride for Australian craft beer is fantastic."