A craft beer from Sydney’s Hills District has been named Australia’s best. taking home the Champion Beer trophy at the 2024 Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show. 

Esker Beer Co’s Esker Citrus Gose was the standout among the 206 exhibits entered from across the country, claiming not only the title of Australia’s best beer but two additional trophies for Best NSW Beer or Cider and Champion Fruit or Sour. Esker Beer Co also took home Champion Indian Pale Ale with its Esker West Coast IPA. 

Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show 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.”

In total, 11 champion trophies were awarded in a ceremony at L’Aqua in Sydney’s Darling Harbour, including the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s first Champion Reduced or No Alcohol Beer or Cider, which was won by Hiatus Beers for its Non-Alcoholic Pacific Ale. 

“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,” Kingham said.

“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.

“Another huge standout this year was the cider category. For me, it was the strongest it has ever been, and the four ciders presented for the championship trophy are all world-class ciders that should be recognised for that level of excellence.”

This year’s Champion Cider went to Flying Brick Cider Co for the Flying Brick Cider Co MC Cider, which was on delicious pour at the awards ceremony, while Philter Brewing won Champion Pale Ale with its XPA, and Champion Lager went to White Bay Brewery for the Czech Pilsner. 

On the dark side, it was Reckless Brewing Co which claimed Champion Amber or Dark Ale with the BX Old and Champion Experimental or Specialty Beer with the Baltic Porter, while 4 Pines Brewing Company struck gold with its 4 Pines Nitro Stout winning Champion Porter or Stout.

“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,” Kingham (above) said.

“I encourage consumers to have a look at the results, try some of the champion winners but also explore our gold, silver and bronze medal winners, as I have no doubt there is a beer or cider for everyone to enjoy.”

To view all 2024 Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show Champions visit www.rasnsw.com.au.