Victoria’s Stomping Ground is celebrating big wins at the Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show (RQFWS) Beer Awards, taking home the Champion Beer and Champion Large Brewery awards.
There was some controversy with an error in calculation seeing Black Hops named Champion Large Brewery at the ceremony earlier this week, but this was rectified and Stomping Ground came out on top.
RNA Chief Executive Brendan Christou said: “Unfortunately, at the RQFWS Beer Awards presentation an incorrect brewery was awarded a trophy due to a miscalculation. Once we identified the error, we immediately contacted the two breweries involved to sincerely apologise.
“This is the first time in our beer awards history this has occurred and we are deeply sorry. We are also very appreciative of how understanding and supportive both breweries were when we contacted them to inform them of our mistake.’’
Stomping Ground’s Czech Pilsner took home a gold medal and Grand Champion Beer title, winning the brewery a $5000 Lion Bursary to invest in the business.
Stomping Ground Co-Founder Justin Joiner told The Shout: “We’re so thrilled to have taken out both Champion Lager Brewery and Champion Beer in a record field and across such a wide range of styles. Our head brewer, Ashur, and his team put so much time and effort into the brewing process and our quality and sensory program to ensure our beers are the best they can be and this is great recognition for their hard work. We’re really proud of all of them.
“Our Czech Pils was first brewed last year for our new Beer Hall in Moorabbin and has rapidly become a favourite of staff and punters alike. It’s a traditional style Czech Pils brewed with Saaz hops and plenty of time in tank to ensure a fresh, crisp finish. So far it has been in very limited supply and only in kegs, but watch this space.”
And while Victoria came out on top in two key awards, Queensland brewers otherwise dominated, winning 14 of the 17 available trophies.
RQFWS Beer Advisory Group member and judge Chris Sheehan said this year there was a big lift in the number of entries and in the quality of the beers.
“While the number of entries increased, so too did the quality and drinkability, making it a highly competitive experience for all entrants and difficult to judge,” Sheehan said.
“Pilsner is one of the lighter and cleaner styles of beer and Stomping Ground’s Czech Pilsner was flawless in the judges’ eyes.”
The Best Queensland Beer of Show supported by Treasury Brisbane went to Brisbane-based Ballistic Beer Co. for their Coup de Grace.
“The standard of gold medals in the Queensland category was exceptional,” Sheehan said.
“Given this high standard it is even more of an achievement for the team at Ballistic Brewing Co who took home this coveted award.
“All the Queensland breweries should be commended for brewing excellent products that appeal to broad audiences.
“I look forward to seeing Ballistic beers distributed nationally, as all of Australia needs to see how great Queensland craft beer is.”
Here are the 2022 trophy award winners.
- GRAND CHAMPION BEER (Australia’s best beer) SUPPORTED BY RALLINGS LABELS, STICKERS & PACKAGING
- BEST QUEENSLAND BEER OF SHOW SUPPORTED BY TREASURY BRISBANE
- TREASURY BRISBANE BEST EMERGING QUEENSLAND BREWER AWARD
- Jared Palu – Felons Brewing Co.
- CHAMPION BREWPUB
- CHAMPION LARGE BREWERY SUPPORTED BY CRYER MALT AUSTRALIA
- CHAMPION SMALL/MEDIUM BREWERY SUPPORTED BY HOP PRODUCTS AUSTRALIA
- BEST NEW BREWERY SUPPORTED BY KONVOY KEGS
- CHAMPION MIXED CULTURE BEER
- CHAMPION STRONG BEER SUPPORTED BY 13 CABS
- CHAMPION SESSION BEER SUPPORTED BY YAKIMA CHIEF HOPS
- CHAMPION EUROPEAN-STYLE ALE SUPPORTED BY BREWS NEWS
- CHAMPION INDIA PALE ALE SUPPORTED BY HPA
- CHAMPION LAGER SUPPORTED BY BARRETT BURSTON MALTING
- CHAMPION HYBRID BEER SUPPORTED BY SHOOBRIDGE TRANSPORT
- CHAMPION PORTER-STOUT SUPPORTED BY KONVOY KEGS
- CHAMPION AMBER DARK-ALE SUPPORTED BY 13CABS
- CHAMPION PALE ALE SUPPORTED BY YAKIMA CHIEF HOPS
- Moffat Beach Brewing Co. – Passenger Pale Ale