South Australian brewer Smiling Samoyed has taken home the Most Outstanding Beer in Show at the 2019 Royal Adelaide Beer, Cider & Spirit Awards – the third time in five years their ‘Dark Ale’ has won this award.

The inaugural Champion Spirit of Show trophy was awarded to local distiller Never Never Distilling Co’s Triple Juniper Gin with 2019 the first year that spirits have been part of the competition. The Thebarton-based business also won Champion Gin, while Fleurieu Distillery took home Champion Whisky and Champion Small Batch for their Fountain of Youth Single Malt Whisky.

The Awards were presented tonight at the Adelaide Showground as part of the Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival, which runs through to Sunday.

Beer, Cider and Spirit Committee Chair Simon Fahey said the Awards, run by the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia, recognise the importance of Australia’s ever-growing brewing and distilling industries.

“This year’s awards attracted 387 entries from 83 breweries and distilleries of all sizes from across Australia and New Zealand, with all entries judged blind by an expert industry panel,” Mr Fahey said.

Renmark’s Woolshed Brewery was one of several South Australian breweries to dominate the Awards, taking home three trophies, including Champion Reduced Alcohol Beer for their River Time Session Pale, Champion Hybrid Beer for their Firehouse Coffee Stout, and Champion Small Brewery.

Prancing Pony Brewery’s Indie Kid Pilsener took home Champion Pilsener, Best New Exhibit and Champion South Australian Beer Exhibit. Prancing Pony were also named Champion Medium Brewery.

Port Adelaide’s Pirate Life took home Champion American Style Pale Ale and Champion India Pale Ale as well as Champion Large Brewery.

In the Cider class Harcourt Perry & Cider Makers won Best Cider in Show for their Harcourt Apple Cider, while Kangaroo Island Ciders’ Colony Cove Draught Cider was named Most Outstanding South Australian Cider/Perry exhibit.

Members of the public can sample the award-winning beers and ciders at the Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival, on at the Adelaide Showground this weekend.

“Many of the entrants will be exhibiting their beers, ciders and spirits at the festival which will provide a great opportunity for the public to discover a range of styles from many different producers,” Mr Fahey said.

For more information visit www.beerbbqfest.com.au/adelaide