The brewery's name is relatively new, the brewery and many of their beers less so, the brewers' knack for claiming trophies predating the existence of most breweries in Australia.
Esker Beer Co – the beer brand that evolved from the Australian Brewery almost two years ago to the day – might not be well-known outside their hometown of Sydney, but the name is familiar to beer judges who last night named their Citrus Gose Champion Beer or Cider at the Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show.
The beer also took out Best NSW Beer or Cider and Champion Fruit or Sour, while the Rouse Hill-based brewery also picked up Champion India Pale Ale for their West Coast IPA. They've enjoyed plenty of success at the Sydney awards over the years – both as Esker and Australian Brewery – and won Best Modern Pale Ale for their Hazy Pale at last year's Australian International Beer Awards.
Chair of judges Ian Kingham said: “I was particularly impressed with Esker Beer Co. Following a rebrand and redirection in 2022, the Hills Shire brewery has not only won four champions and a plethora of gold and silver medals, but they have taken home the top award with the Esker Citrus Gose really impressing our judges.”
There were more familiar faces among the winners in the beer categories too. Philter Brewing won Champion Pale Ale with their XPA, the beer that announced them to the craft beer world when it picked up Champion Pale Ale at the Craft Beer Awards just months after the Marrickville brewing company launched in 2017 and Champion Lager, while serial trophy-winners Reckless are taking more silverware back to Bathurst after an evening of double delight: Champion Amber or Dark Ale went to BX Old; Champion Experimental or Specialty Beer went to their Baltic Porter.
The other trophy winners in beer were White Bay Brewery for their recently-rebranded Czech Pilsner, 4 Pines, whose Nitro Stout claimed Champion Porter or Stout, and Hiatus Beer, whose Non-Alcoholic Pacific Ale is the inaugural winner of the Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show Champion Reduced or No Alcohol Beer or Cider title.
“This year we introduced nine new champion trophies and prizes to help better reflect industry trends in Australia and I think what has come out of that is a very deserving range of champion winners who are producing quality products that can be enjoyed by a wide demographic,” Ian said.
“This year’s competition has shown us that despite such a difficult time for the Australian beer industry our brewers are still producing world-class products and are doing so from all areas of the country. From regional areas like Bathurst and Geelong to city hubs in Sydney and Melbourne, the quality of beers and ciders being entered is phenomenal, and that is reflected not only in the champion winners announced tonight but also in the high percentage of medals awarded across the competition.”
This 2024 Champion Cider went to Flying Brick Cider Co for MC Cider. A total of 206 exhibits were entered for judging with 18 percent receiving gold medals and 83 percent picking up a gold, silver, or bronze medal.
Senior judge and Tooheys brewery team leader Tom Davies was also honoured at the 2024 judging, receiving a Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Youth Medal for his dedication to the competition. He started as a steward at the competition in 2017 before progressing to associate judge in 2018 and has now been a senior judge since 2021.
The awards were held alongside the inaugural Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show Awards, where 14 of the country’s best distillers were also honoured. St Agnes Distillery won Best Distilled Spirit of Show for their XO Grand Reserve, with the 40-year-old brandy earning an impressive 98 points out of 100.
Central Coast’s Amber Lane Distillery won Champion Single Malt Whisky for Alchemical Series: Water, Champion Ready to Drink went to Curatif’s Espresso Martini, while Champion Liqueur went to The Canberra Distillery for Coffee Liqueur, one of two trophies on the night with their Old George Reserve Rum The Chair of Judges Annual Prize.
In the competition’s popular gin category, Yamba Distilling Co won Champion Traditional Gin for Duke – Dry Gin, Pants Off Distillery claimed Champion Contemporary Gin for Pants Off Antz Pants Gin, and Lord Howe Island Distilling Co won Champion Other Gin for Wolfe Rock Gin.
Top Shelf International picked up Champion Alternative Spirit for Act of Treason Reposado, while the other trophies at the inaugural awards went to Manly Spirits Co’s Grape & Grain Vodka (Champion Vodka and Champion NSW Distilled Spirit), Fleurieu Distillery’s Country to Coast #5 (Champion Grain or Blend Whisky), and Lord Byron Distillery’s Pure Single Rum – Ex Red Wine 2023 release Cask #8 (Champion Cane Spirit or Rum).
You can view all winners on the Sydney Royal website.