The best beers of the year have been announced at the 2025 Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards, with a lager from a tiny Western Australian brewery crowned this year’s Champion.

Wedgetail Brewing won Champion Australian Beer for its Dark Lager and also took out Best Amber/Dark Lager and Champion Australian Independent Beer, with the judges congratulating the brewery on its “commitment to quality, creativity and craft”.

With more than 2300 entries from 22 countries, the AIBAs are the largest annual beer competition in the world, judged by a panel of local and international experts. 

The brewery is owned by Howie Croft and Pete “Macca” McDonald (pictured above and main), who have been friends and colleagues for more than 30 years, flying choppers all over the north west of WA and beyond. They started home brewing in the late 90’s, which grew beyond a hobby to a commercial operation, with Macca completing a Certificate of Business Management in Craft Brewing.

Melbourne Royal Food and Beverage Awards Senior Manager Kirrily Waldhorn said: “Winning at this level shows that world-class beer isn’t limited to scale — it’s driven by commitment to craft and consistency,” she said.

“To be recognised among the best in the world speaks volumes about the quality and ambition of our brewers.”

The year’s best beers

Champion Australian Beer: Dark Lager – Wedgetail Brewing, WA

Champion International Beer: Trumer Pils – Trumer Brewery, California, USA

Champion Large Australian Brewery: Hawkers Beer, Victoria

Champion Large International Brewery: Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan, Bavaria, Germany

Champion Medium Australian Brewery: Philter Brewing, NSW

Champion Medium International Brewery: 49th State Brewing, Alaska, USA

Champion Small Australian Brewery: Slipstream Brewing Co, Queensland

Champion Small International Brewery: Altitude Brewing, Otago, New Zealand

Champion Victorian Brewery: Stomping Ground Brewing Co, Victoria

Champion Cider or Perry Producer: Sydney Brewery, NSW

Gary Sheppard Memorial Trophy For The Best New Exhibitor: Diatribe Brewing Company, North Carolina, USA

Australian Gypsy Brewer Award: Dollar Bill Brewing, Victoria

Champion Australian Independent Beer: Dark Lager – Wedgetail Brewing, WA

Champion Australian Independent Brewery: Philter Brewing, NSW

Best Australian Style Lager: Cerveza Crisp Lager – KAIJU! Beer, Victoria

Best European Style Lager: Hanging Rauch – Stomping Ground Brewing Co, Victoria

Best International Lager: King Road Short Stay Series: NZ Cryo Hops – King Road Brewing Co, WA

Best Pilsner: Trumer Pils – Trumer Brewery, California, USA

Best Reduced/Low Alcohol Beer: Camden IPA – Merino Brewery, NSW

Best Amber/Dark Lager: Dark Lager – Wedgetail Brewing, WA

Best Australian Style Pale Ale: XPA – Philter Brewing, NSW

Best Modern Pale Ale: Sled Dog – Altitude Brewing, Otago, New Zealand

Best International Style Pale Ale: King Road Short Stays Series: American Strong Pale Ale – King Road Brewing Co, WA

Best British or European Style Ale: ESB – Merino Brewery, NSW

Best Traditional India Pale Ale: The Deckie IPA – Boundary Island Brewery, WA

Best Modern India Pale Ale: Haze – Philter Brewing, NSW

Best Amber/Dark Ale: Carlton Black Ale – Carlton & United Breweries, Cascade Brewery, Tasmania

Best Porter or Stout: Stout – Reckless Brewing Company, NSW

Best Non-Alcohol Beer: Free Time Raspberry Sour – Bridge Road Brewers, Victoria

Best Wheat Beer: Weissbier – Fresh Beer 30 Kilometers, Shanghai, China

Best Belgian/French Ale: Gold Wild Ale – Slipstream Brewing Co, Queensland

Best Fruit Beer: Brambalama Ding Dong – Dollar Bill Brewing, Victoria

Best Wood And Barrel Aged Beer: Barrel Aged Feijoa Sour – Shining Peak Brewing, New Zealand

Best Specialty Beer: Happy Camping – Deadman Brewery, Hong Kong

Best Specialty Flavoured Beer: Chili Cat – Rojicat Beer, Queensland

Best Cider or Perry: Legana Wild Cuvee 20 – Brady’s Lookout Cider, Tasmania

Best Design: Oud Bruin – King River Brewing Co, Victoria

Best Media: Guy Southern, WA

Consistency of Excellence

La Trappe Dubbel – Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeven, Tilburg, Netherlands
Hazy – Balter Brewing Company (CUB / Asahi), Queensland
Estuary Ale XPA – Boundary Island Brewery, WA
Hawke’s Underdog Session Lager – Hawke’s Brewing Co, NSW
Road Trip American IPA – Holgate Brewhouse, Victoria
The Chop – Hop Nation, Victoria
Pale Ale – Mountain Goat (CUB/Asahi), Victoria
Slapshot – Urban Alley Brewery, Victoria

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