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When it comes to the best Australian beers, the jury has traditionally been out. In fact, many an outback pub has been subjected to shouting matches and flying fists over why XXXX is the nectar of the gods and Toohey’s New is just a cheap imitation. But spare a thought for the actual professionals, the brave men and women tasked with chugging ale and measuring its worth on crispness and flavour alone. Thankfully, they’ve persevered, with the people behind the Australian International Beer Awards sharing their insights, naming the best and brightest among our brewing brigade.

Conducted by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV), the 2021 edition assessed 2,500 entries, both packaged and draughts from 402 exhibitors across 21 countries, with 75 judges handing out a total of 35 trophies. Winners came from all corners of the globe, however, it was Dollar Bill Brewing that awarded the prestigious title of Champion Australian Beer for its Gold Teeth 2021 Packaged.
“As the world’s largest annual beer competition judging both draught and packaged beer, the Australian International Beer Awards conducted by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria is the pinnacle benchmarking opportunity for brewers from Australia and abroad,” RASV CEO Brad Jenkins said. “After the challenges of 2020, it was fabulous to conduct the Awards again this year and receive 2,500 entries from more than 400 exhibitors and then see the beer industry come together to celebrate brewing excellence.”
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Australian International Beer Award Winners (2021)
With the RASV officially naming its top drops, Australia’s best beers have crowned. Here is a list of the best beers in Australia fro 2021, as named by the International Beer Awards.
Champion Australian Beer presented by Cryer Malt
Gold Teeth 2021, Packaged. Dollar Bill Brewing, Victoria
Champion International Beer
Sauvage, Packaged. Deep Creek Brewing Company, Auckland, New Zealand
Champion Large Australian Brewery presented by Barret Burston
4 Pines Brewing Company, New South Wales
Champion Large International Brewery presented by Barth-Haas Group
Deep Creek Brewing Company, Auckland, New Zealand
Champion Medium Australian Brewery presented by Cryer Malt
Hop Nation Pty Ltd, Victoria
Champion Medium International Brewery Presented by Kegstar
Nbeer Craft Brewing Co., Sichuan, China
Champion Small Australian Brewery Presented by Yakima Chief Hops
Cheeky Monkey Brewery, Western Australia
Champion Small International Brewery
Goose Island Brewhouse Seoul, South Korea
Champion Victorian Brewery
Hop Nation Pty Ltd
Australian Gypsy Brewer Award
Valhalla Brewing, Victoria
Gary Sheppard Memorial Trophy For The Best New Exhibitor
Hoppin’ Frog Brewing Company, Ohio, United States
Best Australian-Style Lager
Lager, Draught. Two Birds Brewing Co., Victoria
Best European-Style Lager (Excluding Pilsner) Presented by Weyermann
Lager, Packaged. Mismatch Brewing Co., South Australia
Best International Lager
Coastie Lager, Draught, Six String Brewing Company, New South Wales
Best Pilsner Presented by Brews News
Rattenhund, Draught. Hop Nation Pty Ltd, Victoria
Best Amber / Dark Lager Presented By Joe White Maltings
Keller Door-Schwarzbier, Draught. 4 Pines Brewing Company, New South Wales
Best Australian Style Pale Ale Presented By Konvoy Kegs
Burleigh Twisted Palm, Draught. Burleigh Brewing Company, Queensland
Best New World-Style Pale Ale Presented By Hop Products Australia
Cryotherapy Hazy IPA, Packaged, Sunday Road Brewing, New South Wales
Best International-Style Pale Ale Presented By The Post Project
King Road IPA, Draught. King Road Brewing Co, Western Australia
Best British or European-Style Ale (Excluding IPA & Pale Ale)
Foghorn Hunter Kolsch, Draught. Foghorn Brewery Pty Ltd, New South Wales
Best Traditional IPA
Sprocket, Draught Bentspoke Brewing Co, Australian Capital Territory
Best Modern IPA
Lefties, Draught. Cheeky Monkey Brewery, Western Australia
Best Amber / Dark Ale
The Buzz, Draught. Hop Nation Pty Ltd, Victoria
Best Porter (including Baltic Style Porter Presented By Weyermann
Valhalla Brewing Obsidian, Packaged. Valhalla Brewing, Victoria
Best Reduced/Low Alcohol Beer
James Boag’s Premium Light, Packaged. J Boag & Son Brewing, Tasmania
Best Non-Alcohol Beer
Tinnies Ultra Low Alcohol, Packaged. Coles Supermarkets Australia Ltd, Victoria
Best Wheat Beer
Lowen White Beer, Packaged. China Resources Snow Breweries Co., China
Best Belgian / French Style Ale
Le Petit Biere, Draught. Stone & Wood Brewing Co., New South Wales
Best Fruit Beer Presented by CHR Hansen
Gold Teeth 2021, Packaged. Dollar Bill Brewing, Victoria
Best Wood- And Barrel-Aged Beer
Sauvage, Packaged. Deep Creek Brewing Company, Auckland, New Zealand
Best Specialty Beer
Heavy Smoker, Draught. Zhang Men Brewing Company, Taiwan
Best Specialty Flavoured Beer
Dangge Vanilla Coffee Imperial Stout, Packaged. Dangge Brewing, China
Best Design – Label/Surface Graphic
Stubbie Refreshing Beer 330ml. Pinnacle Drinks, New South Wales
Best Design – Outer Packaging
Classic IPA, Craft Lager, And Wheat Beer 4 Packs. Specific Gravity Beverage Company Pte Ltd, Singapore
Best Media Presented By The Crafty Pint
James Atkinson, New South Wales
Consistency of Excellence Medal
Products that have been awarded a gold medal for three consecutive years receive a Consistency of Excellence Medal.
1. Captain of the Coast, Packaged. Pelican Brewing Company, Oregon, United States
2. Obsession Session IPA, Draught. Fixation Brewing Co, Victoria, Australia
Victorian Winners
- Hop Nation
- Valhalla Brewing
- Two Birds Brewing Co.
- Dollar Bill Brewing
- Fixation Brewing Co.
NSW Winners
- 4 Pines Brewing Company
- Six String Brewing Company
- Sunday Road Brewing
- Foghorn Brewery
- Stone & Wood Brewing Co.
- Pinnacle Drinks
Western Australia
- Cheeky Monkey Brewery
- King Road Brewing Co.
SA Winners
- Mismatch Brewing Co.
ACT Winner
- BentSpoke Brewing Co.
International Winners
- Deep Creek Brewing Company, Auckland, New Zealand
- Nbeer Craft Brewing Co., Sichuan, China
- Goose Island Brewhouse Seoul, South Korea
- Hoppin’ Frog Brewing Company, Ohio, United States
- China Resources Snow Breweries Co., China
- Zhang Men Brewing Company, Taiwan
- Dangge Brewing, China
- Specific Gravity Beverage Company Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Pelican Brewing Company, Oregon, United States
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