Judging to find Australia’s best beer has begun today, with the Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show (RQFWS) Beer Awards underway at the Brisbane Showgrounds. 

A team of 38 judges including brewers, sensory experts, suppliers, consultants and beer writers will blind taste 497 entries from 71 breweries over the next two days.

Entries have increased 20 per cent year on year since the competition was reinvigorated in 2019. Interstate entries have doubled compared to last year, with the RQFWS offering free inbound freight for breweries in New South Wales and Victoria for the first time.

RQFWS Beer Advisory Group member and judge Steve Henderson said it was exciting to see the significant growth in entries.

“Our beer awards are rapidly becoming a nationally recognised competition, evident by the increase in interstate entries this year,” he said.

“More brewers are seeing the benefits of having their beers evaluated by an expert panel of judges.”

The winner of the Grand Champion Beer will receive a $5,000 Lion Bursary to invest in their business and enhance their beer making skills.

New this year is the Treasury Brisbane Best New Queensland Craft Brewer Award, recognising those brewing for three years or less. The winner will receive a 12-month commercial contract enabling their brewery’s beer to be sold across Treasury Brisbane’s wide array of restaurants and bars.

“The new award will show us who the young guns of Queensland brewing are and having the industry recognise these up-and-comers will help to nurture and guide them,” Mr Henderson said.

The winners will be announced at an awards presentation this Wednesday (March 3) at the Brisbane Showgrounds.

Some of the medal-winners will also feature at the Kingdom of Beers event from April 9-11, held alongside Brisbane Cycling Festival at the Brisbane Showgrounds.

WHAT: RQFWS Beer Awards judging

WHEN: Today (1 March) until 5pm and tomorrow (2 March) from 8.30am to 12pm

WHERE: Upper Exhibition Building, Brisbane Showgrounds – 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills

The awards presentation including the announcement of Australia’s best beer will be held this Wednesday 3 March from 12pm to 3pm in the Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane Showgrounds.