Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show has announced a change to the competition’s award structure that will see the introduction of nine new major trophies and prizes in 2024.

The trophies include a new reduced or no-alcohol championship title. 

The new model introduced by Royal Agricultural Society of NSW will focus primarily on beverage style rather than packaging and aims to better reflect the variety of beers, ciders and perries being made by Australian breweries, with the shift almost doubling the trophies and special prizes available.  

Chair of Judges Ian Kingham said the changes align with continued growing trends in the beer & cider industry, and amongst consumers. 

“The updated structure will ensure that the competition’s focus provides a true reflection of trending new world styles and interpretations, and a fair comparison of these styles for the Championship awards. It will also provide more opportunities for exhibitors to be recognised as a Champion producer,” Kingham said.  

“The quality and experience of our judges this year is exceptional, with a distinctly diverse group of judges from brewing, media and sensory backgrounds, representing family, small and large businesses and of varying ages, experience and gender. 

“It gives me great pleasure to once again serve as the Chair of Judges for this prestigious competition. The beer and cider industry is still experiencing an extraordinary period of growth and innovation and I’m excited to see what this year’s producers bring to the table.” 

Entries are now open for the Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show and judging for this year’s competition will take place from 5-6 September 2024, with 25 judges assessing exhibits based on their appearance, aroma, flavour, technical merit, and style.  

Judging involves a rigorous score-based evaluation and individual product feedback, allowing a comparison of products against industry benchmarks and an opportunity for producers to refine their practices and standard of excellence. 

The 13 Championship trophies and special prizes up for grabs this year include Lager, Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, Amber or Dark Ale, Wheat or other Grain, Fruit or Sour, Porter or Stout, Experimental or Specialty, Cider, Perry, Reduced or No Alcohol Beer or Cider, Best NSW Beer or Cider, and Best Beer or Cider of Show.  

Entries for the 2024 Sydney Royal Beer and Cider Show will close on 29 May 2024. For further information or to enter visit the website. 

All champion-winning products from the 2024 Sydney Royal Wine, Dairy and Fine Food competitions will be eligible to enter one of the RAS’ most prestigious awards, the 18th Annual President’s Medal.  Mountain Culture Beer Co was a finalist in the 2023 President’s Medal.

Celebrating the 2023 Champions

The 2023 Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Awards saw 4 Pines Brewing Co take out three Champion titles, including Champion Packaged Beer for its Japanese Style Lager. The win was just one of the brewery’s 22 medals, including 6 gold, 6 silver and 10 bronze.

4 Pines described its Champion trophies as “big, prestigious gongs”.

Other consistent winners included Sydney Brewery (3 gold, 9 silver, 7 bronze), Bentspoke Brewing (8 gold, 7 silver) and Jervis Bay Brewing Co (3 gold, 5 silver, 6 bronze).

GABS Hottest 100 winner, Mountain Culture Beer Co, also took out 18 medals (5 gold, 10 silver, 3 bronze) as a first-time exhibitor.

These were the overall champions:

Champion Packaged Beer – Japanese Style Lager, 4 Pines Brewing
Champion Draught Beer – Extra Special Bitter, 4 Pines Brewing
Champion NSW Beer – Extra Special Bitter, 4 Pines Brewing
Champion Experimental/Specialty Beer – Hill People, Mountain Culture
Champion Cider – Pink Lady Apple Cider, Small Acres Cyder

Learn more about enterting the awards here.