Next week will see the launch of Australia’s biggest beer collaboration, with seven breweries coming together to produce Best in Show.
Moon Dog, awarded champion Australian large and champion Victorian large indie brewery at the 2022 Australian Independent Beer Awards, has collaborated with Independent Brewers Association, (IBA) alongside the other state and territory champions.
Joining the collaboration are Moffat Beach Brewing Co from Queensland, Barossa Valley Brewing from South Australia, Moo Brew from Tasmania, Grifter Brewing Co from NSW, BentSpoke Brewing Co from the ACT, and Otherside Brewing Co from Western Australia.
“The Australian Independent Beer Awards is one of the IBA’s flagship programs and continues to grow in numbers and sophistication each year. With our advisory committee, we work tirelessly to ensure that the awards grow and evolve, so when we were asked to support the very first collaboration between state and territory trophy winners, we jumped at the opportunity,” said Kylie Lethbridge, IBA CEO.
The beer was devised as a celebration of the camaraderie between independent craft brewers. Each brewery has contributed a hop or hopping process to produce a beer that reflects the styles of the individual contributors.
“Having the opportunity to sit down with brewers from across Australia and truly collaborate on a beer is really unique and the results really speak for themselves. We’ve all added our unique technique or ingredient and brewed a bloody good beer,” commented Moon Dog head brewer Kevin te Werik.
Moffat Beach Brewing Co head brewer Matt Wilson expressed his excitement about the collaboration.
“It’s always a thrill to collaborate on a beer with like-minded brewers. For us, being a regional brewery, we love the opportunity to share ideas and learnings with peers across the country,” Wilson enthused.
From 30 June to 2 July, Best in Show will be exclusively available at the contributing breweries, and will then be released nationally. The 30 June launch date coincides with the close of submissions for the 2023 Australian Independent Beer Awards.
“The biggest of congratulations goes to Moon Dog for taking on the challenging role of coordinating the project on behalf of all the champions and for coming up with such a cracking name, and a sincere thanks to our trade partners that have agreed to take it on in store. We can’t wait to taste this cracking new hazy IPA and raise a glass when we announce the 2023 champions in person on the Gold Coast on 23 August!” Lethbridge concluded.