It’s a debate as old as the art of craft brewing itself – which brew is best?
You could ask 100 different people and come up with 100 different answers and still be none the wiser.
Well, to make life a little easier for craft beer lovers, the good folks behind the Great Australia Beer Spectacular (GABS) have conducted a beer poll amongst drinkers to determine what is the craft beer in Australia.
It is the 17th year which they have done this and it wasn’t a poll just held among a few beer lovers – this year’s poll saw 55,000 eager consumers register to cast their vote.
Nearly 400 of Australia’s best craft breweries were involved, producing all types of brews, from ales to sours, lagers to stouts so the choice was very broad.
However as they say, there can only be one winner and this year the team from Mountain Culture in the Blue Mountains took out top honours with their Status Quo Pale Ale.
There must be something in the air and the water in “them thar hills” because it is the third year running which Mountain Culture has claimed the top prize, something virtually unheard of in craft brewing circles.
In fact, the feat has only ever been achieved once before from West Australian brewer Feral with their Hop Hog (one of my favourite brews) in 2012-2014.
Coming in second on the list was Australia’s oldest independent brewer, South Australia’s Coopers with their Pale Ale while in third and flying the flag for Queensland was the Gold Coast’s Balter Brewing XPA.
It’s no mean feat to be recognized, even making the top 10.
Voters nominating nearly 1500 different brews which resulted in 70 breweries making the top 100 list.
The winners and top 100 are announced each year on Australia Day at selected venues around the country.
Not only does the competition recognise the diversity that is in the Australian craft beer market but is a great way for promoting brews which you may not know exist.
The GABS crew have produced a list of the top 100 beers which makes for not only interesting reading but an interesting challenge for true lovers of craft beer.
I must confess that I haven’t come close to sampling my way through the list but it is a challenge I am willing to accept.
However, for those less adventurous,
The top 10 may prove to be interesting enough.
They are:
1.Mountain Culture Beer Co – Status Quo Pale Ale
2. Coopers Brewery – Original Pale Ale
3. Balter Brewing – XPA
4. BentSpoke Brewing – Crankshaft
5. Gage Roads Brewing –Single Fin Summer Ale
6. Range Brewing – Disco
7. Your Mates Brewing – Larry
8. Philter Brewing – XPA
9. 4 Pines Brewing Co – Japanese Lager
10. One Drop Brewing – We Jammin’
You might have to hunt around for some of these or ask your local bottle if they can order some in but it will be worth the effort.
However, if you want to experience an even greater selection of brews, might I suggest attending one of the GABS festivals – either in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.
Melbourne is 4-5 April, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane is 23-24 May at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and Sydney is 30-31 May at ICC Sydney at Darling Harbour.
Not only will you be confronted by a huge selection of brews and breweries but also some unique drops which are made just for the GABS festivals.
These are more than just beer tastings, they are mini festivals, with food, music, and entertainment of all types .
They event cater for non-beer drinkers!
And this year as an added bonus, there is even an opportunity to win tickets to Germany to attend the Freising Volksfest which includes airfares, accommodation and brewery tours.
But don’t just take my word for it, check out the GABS website at www.gabsfestival.com and while you are there, download the top 100 beers poster.
