2015 CATALOGUE OF RESULTS The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria acknowledges and thanks the AIBA supporters and sponsors: Major Sponsor Presenting Partners Event Partners Trophy Sponsors Supporting Partners 2015 Catalogue of Results The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria Limited ABN 66 006 728 785 ACN 006 728 785 Melbourne Showgrounds Epsom Road Ascot Vale VIC 3032 Telephone +61 3 9281 7444 Facsimile +61 3 9281 7592 www.rasv.com.au List of Office Bearers As at 03/02/2015 Patron The Hon Alex Chernov AC QC Board of Directors S. C. Spargo AM (Chair) D. Pollett-Hodgson (Vice Chair) D. S. Chapman M. J. Coleman A. J. Hawkes N. E. King OAM G. J. Phillips J. A. Potter P. J. B. Ronald OAM President S. C. Spargo AM Vice President D. Pollett-Hodgson Chief Executive Officer M. O’Sullivan Company Secretary J. Perry Event Manager, Beverage Damian Nieuwesteeg Telephone: +61 3 9281 7461 Email: [email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS CEO’S MESSAGE ................................................................................................................ 2 HEAD JUDGE’S REPORT .................................................................................................... 3 CHAMPION TROPHIES ....................................................................................................... 5 MAJOR TROPHIES .............................................................................................................. 6 SECTIONS AND CLASSES OF ENTRY ............................................................................... 2 BEST AUSTRALIAN STYLE LAGER ................................................................................ 2 BEST EUROPEAN STYLE LAGER ................................................................................... 3 BEST INTERNATIONAL LAGER ....................................................................................... 4 BEST PILSNER ................................................................................................................. 5 BEST AMBER / DARK LAGER.......................................................................................... 7 BEST AUSTRALIAN STYLE PALE ALE ............................................................................ 8 BEST INTERNATIONAL PALE ALE ................................................................................ 10 BEST BRITISH STYLE ALE ............................................................................................ 13 BEST EUROPEAN STYLE ALE ...................................................................................... 15 BEST IPA ........................................................................................................................ 16 BEST AMBER / DARK ALE ............................................................................................. 21 BEST STOUT .................................................................................................................. 24 BEST REDUCED OR LOW ALCOHOL ........................................................................... 26 BEST WHEAT BEER ...................................................................................................... 28 BEST BELGIAN / FRENCH STYLE ALE .......................................................................... 30 BEST SCOTCH ALE / BARLEY WINE ............................................................................ 32 BEST SPECIALTY BEER ................................................................................................ 33 BEST PACKAGING ......................................................................................................... 38 EXHIBITOR LIST ................................................................................................................ 40 1 CEO’S MESSAGE The Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) is the world’s largest annual beer competition judging both packaged and draught beer, a celebration of beer and brewing excellence in Australia and around the world. The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) is pleased to present the 23rd AIBA with the support of major sponsor Federation University. This year, the AIBA received a record 1699 entries from 344 exhibitors, including 97 who are new to the awards this year, from 35 countries. Our thanks go to all those who enter the awards as the volume and calibre of entries continues to grow year on year and is testament to the expansion and continual development of quality within the industry. The awards give brewers the unique opportunity to benchmark their beers against international industry standards, receive invaluable feedback from an independent panel of experts and promote award-winning products using the AIBA’s seal of excellence. This year’s judging panel, the largest ever assembled for the awards, brought together 58 of the world’s leading beer industry professionals, to critically assess and award beers during three days of judging at Melbourne Showgrounds. The panel was led by Head Judge, Warren Pawsey, whose experience and knowledge has been instrumental in the continual development of the awards and we thank him for his unwavering commitment to the role. To ensure the credibility, relevance and value of the awards to those who participate, RASV encourages feedback and input from the brewing community, including the important contribution of the AIBA advisory group on the awards category, classes and criteria, and we thank them for their guidance and direction. We acknowledge and thank the valued sponsors of the AIBA as without their support the awards would not be possible. Finally, a competition of this scale could not be a success without the hard work and commitment of a large number of contributors. We thank the RASV team, our Chief Steward Craig Bowen and our team of stewards, and all our volunteers for their dedication to the awards. Mark O’Sullivan Chief Executive Officer 2 HEAD JUDGE’S REPORT What an outstanding calibre of entries we received for the 2015 Australian International Beer Awards! It has been a great privilege to participate as Head Judge and I thank RASV for once again bestowing me the honour. This year saw the largest panel of judges ever assembled for the awards, with 58 of the most knowledgeable and talented beer experts from around the world coming together for three days of judging. Assessing over 1700 beers can be a taxing task, our judges need to ensure they are sharp of mind so that they can accurately taste and determine qualities within each entry and credibly determine which beers rightfully merit a medal or trophy win. It gave me great pleasure to lead the judging panel, who not only volunteered their expertise, time and dedication to the role, but who also made the process an enjoyable and productive one. At the end of the day we are still judging a beer competition. It is vital to the success of the awards that our judges are constructive in their feedback, adhere to industry guidelines and are committed to ensuring the credibility of the awards. The judging panel consisted of industry professionals from across the country and around the world, with various levels of experience, each year we include a number of associate judges, who we consider the future lead judges of this competition. This diverse mix of industry experience and knowledge assists in cementing the global reputation of the AIBA as one of the world’s most prestigious beer events. I thank all the judges for their professionalism and unwavering commitment to the programme. The quality of entries into the awards increases year on year and 2015 did not disappoint. It is testament to the talent and the constant strive for quality that our industry attracts. Each entry was treated with respect by the judges- individually assessed through blind tasting and professionally evaluated according to our Style guidelines. Our judges provide feedback that is constructive and informative, which I hope you will find useful and actionable. These awards would not be possible without the support of volunteers including our stewards, and all those who generously gave of their time, and I thank them and the passionate team at RASV for their dedication to coordinating such an incredibly exciting event. Congratulations to all exhibitors and our medal and trophy winners for the 2015 AIBA! Warren Pawsey 3 2015 REPORT ON ENTRIES Total Entries 1699 Australia Total Exhibitors 311 Entries 917 Exhibitors 154 Package Entries 1080 International Draught Entries 514 Entries 782 Packaging Entries 76 Exhibitors 158 Media Entries 29 HEAD JUDGE AND CHEF STEWARD Head Judge Warren Pawsey Little Creatures Brewery Chief Steward Craig Bowen Beer NZ JUDGES Alex Biedermann DB NZ Beer Ambassador Kirrily Waldhorn Beer Diva Adrian McNulty Moon Dog Brewery Leon Mickelson Kerry Hotel Andrew Madden The Pride Brewery Lincoln Gibbs Little Creatures Brewing Ben Kraus Bridge Road Brewers Matt Houghton Boatrocker Brewing Bill Taylor Brewer, Writer, Consultant Michael Capaldo Sydney Brewing Bradford Tetlow Little Creatures Brewing Michael Comerton Platinum Beverages Brendan Varis Feral Brewing C. Neal Cameron Australian Brewery Brian Watson Good George Brewing/DME Nic Sandery Holgate Brewhouse Caolan Vaughan Steamworks Brewing Co. Owen Johnston Hop Products Australia Caroline Aspridis Carlton & United Breweries Paul Holgate Holgate Brewhouse Chris Willcock 4 Pines Brewery Peter Aldred Federation University Chuck Hahn Malt Shovel Brewery Peter Fraser Carlton & United Breweries Dave Edney Mountain Goat Brewery