Well, they certainly didn’t hang about getting noticed, did they? Two weeks ago, next to nobody knew who Cavalier Brewing was, now they’ve picked up the most votes in the People’s Choice awards at the most recent Fed Square Microbreweries Showcase. The start up operation, possessor of a 100l brewouse in a large shed in Pascoe Vale, also won Best Wheat Beer, heartily deserved after delivering a beautifully full-flavoured, fresh and aromatic take on the German hefeweizen style. Here’s hoping they can keep it up after flying out of the blocks.
Event organiser Roland Fraval said: “Congratulations to all the winners on producing some very special beers. And thanks to all the brewers involved, there were a lot of comments that the standard of beers on offer at the showcase was extremely high.”
Other winners on the day were:
Lager – Hawthorn Brewing: Hawthorn Pilsner
Pale Ale – Arctic Fox: American Pale Ale
Dark Ale – Hawthorn Brewing: Hawthorn Amber Ale
Stout – Mildura Brewery: Choc Hops (listed elsewhere on Crafty today)
Belgian Beer – Kooinda Brewery: Belgian Witbier
Specialty / Other – Prickly Moses (Otway Estate): Organic Blueberry Hefeweizen
Cider – Robello Wines: Strawberry & Apple Cider
There were plenty of other beers out there that could as easily have taken home the prizes, which is perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the showcase – other than the highest ever number of exhibitors and another massive turn out that saw queues along Flinders Street on both days. As for our coverage, we’re still working on the filming shot on the first day – watch this space. What’s more, ABC Lateline’s report on craft beer, which included footage shot at Fed Square on the Thursday, is due to air any day now.
