Marrickville-based Philter Brewing has been crowned the 2021 NSW Independent Brewer of the Year, taking out the top gong at last night’s Australian Independent Brewers Association (IBA)’s annual awards, The Indies.

The prize includes a $10,000 package of NSW Government support to assist with product development and business planning.

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney and Minister for Trade and Industry Stuart Ayres congratulated Philter Brewing on its success and praised the quality of finalists from around NSW.

“The Indies are a great opportunity to raise a glass to our independent beer makers and toast their role in local and regional economies and communities. Philter is a great example of this with its sponsorship of nearby footy teams and involvement with charities,” Mr Ayres said.

“We’re proud to be working with the Independent Brewers Association to deliver programs and regulatory changes through the NSW Independent Brewers Action Plan that will grow the industry and help it thrive.”

The independent brewing sector supported around 10,200 jobs in 2020-21, with around 200 breweries, brew pubs and contract brewers operating across NSW.

IBA Chief Executive Officer Kylie Lethbridge said judging the awards was a challenging but rewarding process, pulling together 34 judges, 50 volunteers and to judge more than 1,390 beers from 180 breweries.

“We thank the NSW Government for its ongoing regulatory and fee support during the pandemic, and for supporting IBA membership fees for NSW brewers over the past year,” Ms Lethbridge said.

“Our partnership is an example of what can be achieved when industry and government objectives align and of a government that has a strategic vision and allocates resources to make it happen.”

For more information on The Indies Awards 2021, please visit the Independent Brewers Association website at www.iba.org.au. To view the NSW Independent Brewers Action Plan visit NSW Independent Brewers Action Plan.