Some of Australia’s finest beers and brewers are the latest recipients of a coveted Perth Royal Food Award following an awards event and celebration in Perth.
The Royal Perth Beer Awards – an initiative of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA (RASWA) – is part of the Perth Royal Food Awards program, celebrating exceptional produce and producers from across Australia.
The 2022 Perth Royal Beer Awards judging panel comprised of 40 experts, led by Chief Judge Will Irving, who analysed 540 entries from 46 individual brewers. A team of stewards worked seamlessly back of house as the judges assessed each beer, scoring it out of 20 in line with international judging criteria such as appearance, aroma, flavour, technical quality and style.
The Perth Royal Beer Awards, held at the Silver Jubilee Pavilion on Friday 10th June at Claremont Showground, highlighted excellence from 46 exhibitors from across the State including beers from Esperance, Kalbarri, Margaret River, Busselton, Denmark, Swan Valley and Perth. With 67 Golds awarded, 172 Silver, 143 Bronze and 22 Trophies given out to brewers across WA, it was a very exciting night.
Busselton’s Rocky Ridge Brewing Company had an extraordinary night winning Champion Large Brewery, and their Polski Pivo won the coveted Trophy for Champion Beer. Polski Pivo was also awarded the Trophy for Best Hybrid & Specialty Beer (Draught), and Rocky Ridge’s Born Under Puncheons won the trophy for Best Hybrid & Specialty Beer (packaged).
Perth’s own Otherside Brewing Co also had an exceptional night, winning Champion Medium Brewery, and their Redliner was awarded the trophy for Best Amber – Dark Ale (packaged). Their Harvest Red Ale also won a trophy for Best Amber – Dark Ale (draught).
Denmark’s Artisan Brewing won Champion Small Brewery, and their Great Southern beer won the trophy for Best Low Alcohol Beer (packaged).
Perth’s Bailey Brewing Co also deserves a particular mention, with their Swan Valley Honey Kolsh beer recognised with two trophies for Best European Style Beer (packaged) and Best European Style Beer (draught).
It’s also great to see that newcomers, Campus Brewing, won Champion New Exhibitor, and Kalbarri’s Finlay’s Brewing Company’s Dark Lager, won the trophy for Best Lager (packaged). These were two of ten new Exhibitors in this year’s awards.
Best Lager (Draught) was awarded to White Lakes Brewing’s Whitelakes Dark. Best Pale Ale (draught) was won by Cheeky Monkey’s XPA, while Best Pale Ale (draught) was won by King Road Brewing Co.’s King Road Pale.
Best India Pale Ale (draught) was awarded to Beerland Brewing Co.’s Mosaic Smash, and Best India Pale Ale (draught) awarded to Blasta Brewing Co.’s Unbridled Unicorn.
For the stout lovers, the Best Porter – Stout (packaged) was awarded to Margaret River Brewhouse’s Stout, and Best Porter – Stout (draught) was awarded to Lucky Bay Brewing’s Black Jack.
Those looking for a lighter brew will be well served by Feral Brewing Company’s Runt, which took home the prize for best low alcohol draught.
Will Irving, Chief Beer Judge said “Amazing awards as always. We had an exceptionally talented and experienced judging panel to sort through every conceivable style of beer. With 540 beers to taste and score, this was a huge logistical task and exciting to see beers shine from all over WA”.
David Thomas, President of Royal Agricultural Society of WA, said: “There are few things more synonymous with Australia and being an Australian than our collective love of beer. It is something that we are internationally renowned for and forms part of our national identity on the world stage”.
“Domestically, Australian beer and the pursuit of new and innovative ways of brewing is stronger than it has ever been. The calibre of entrants to this year’s awards has been outstanding in its quality and variety”.
“Receiving a Perth Royal Food Awards medal is one of the highest achievements for any producer to attain and I would like to convey my congratulations to each of our deserving winners.”
For more information about the Perth Royal Food Awards and a full list of winners, visit: perthroyalfoodawards.raswa.org.au.
