Feral Brewing has been votedAustralia’s bestcraft brewery in a survey of over 6,500 craft beer drinkers.

Created by craft beer retailer Beer Cartel, the 2016 Australian Craft Beer Survey is the most comprehensive, publicly available research ever undertaken with Australian craft beer drinkers.

Richard Kelsey, director of Beer Cartel said Feral Brewing being voted Australia’s best craft brewery was evidence of the quality of beer being produced out of Western Australia.

“Feral Brewing has been producing exceptional craft beer over the last ten years, regularly picking up awards by the Australian beer judging community. This latest accolade builds upon these numerous awards, showing Feral is considered by the craft drinking public in the same light as these judges.”

Asked to name the most surprising result of the survey, Kelsey nominated that fact that 20 per cent of craft beer drinkers had identified as women.

“When I think about who comes in our door here, I wouldn’t say that every one in five purchases is from a female,” the retailer told Australian Brews News.

Other key findings of the research included:

• Feral Brewing is Australia’s best craft brewery: Feral beat national craft beer brands to be voted Australia’s best, including James Squire, Little Creatures and Matilda Bay (all of which are owned by large multi-national companies).
• Pale Ale is Australia’s most consumed style of beer: consumed by 91 per cent of craft beer drinkers.
• Australian craft beer drinkers are highly patriotic: voting Australia the best beer producing nation.
• 88 per cent are frustrated by the beer selection at sporting and music events
• 81 per cent believe the government should do more to support Australian craft breweries

The full results are are available here.