Nationals success!

By Patrick Baggoley 

Canberra can once-again lay claim to being the beer-brewing capital of Australia after the ACT successfully defended its title as champion state at last month's Australian Amateur Brewing Championships in Melbourne.

Canberra brewer Craig Webber also took out the champion brewer title with two first-placed entries (for his American pale ale and Irish red ale) and one second place.

The ACT had 17 beers place in the top three across 18 categories to win the title with 37 points, a solid margin ahead of second-placed Victoria on 20 points. It was the third time the ACT has won the state title in the five years it has been awarded.

Across the six state-based competitions, brewers submitted a total 1586, with 280 entries from 146 brewers qualifying for the national competition.

Other ACT first-place winners were: Brendan Linton-Smith (pale ale category); Craig Stokes (amber and dark lager); Dan Rayner (strong stout); Chris De La Rue (India pale ale); Ross Mitchell (specialty beer).

Take a look at some photos from the event over at Sarah Anderson Photography.

Photo credit: Sarah Anderson Photography