A small craft brewery in Melbourne’s inner east has taken the major prize at the Royal Adelaide Beer and Cider Awards.
Bodriggy Brewing Company was awarded Most Outstanding Beer in Show and Champion American Style Pale Ale with its Highbinder ahead of more fancied South Australian hopes including Coopers and Pirate Life.
The Abbotsford brewery was also named Best New Exhibit at the awards ceremony held at the Adelaide Showgrounds on Friday July 28.
However, it wasn’t a dry show for South Australia with Pirate Life winning Champion India Pale Ale, Champion South Australian Exhibit and Champion Large Brewery trophies.
Coopers Sparkling Ale was awarded the trophy for best Australian Style Pale Ale.
The awards were staged at the Adelaide Showgrounds in conjunction with the opening of the Adelaide Beer & Barbecue Festival.
It is the final event in what has been a massive week for craft beer in the South Australian capital, which has also included the Australian Craft Brewers Conference and the Craft Beer Awards.
RABCA Committee Chair Simon Fahey said the Awards, run by the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia, recognise the importance of Australia’s $7 billion beer and cider industry.
“This year’s awards attracted 224 entries from 50 brewers of all sizes from across Australia and New Zealand, with all entries judged blind by an expert industry panel,” Fahey said.
South Australian brewery Vale Brewing won three awards for their Vale Mid-Coast (Champion Reduced- Alcohol Beer), Vale Knee Slapper German Pilsner (Champion Pilsener) and Vale Amber Lager (Champion Other Lager).
West Australian brewery Nail Brewing Australia also won three awards for their Nail Red (other Ale), Champion Medium Brewery and Clout Stout (Champion Stout), sharing the latter category with Clare Valley Brewing Co (SA).
The Hills Cider Company, from the Adelaide Hills dominated the cider awards, winning both the Best Cider and Best Perry with their apple and pear ciders respectively.
Members of the public can sample trophy and award-winning beers at the Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival at the Adelaide Showground across the weekend.