Latest news with #HowieCroft
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
WA's Wedgetail Brewery takes top prize at Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards
A dark lager brewed in regional Western Australia has toppled the competition and taken out the top prize at the 2025 Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards (AIBAs), the world's largest annual beer competition. Wedgetail Brewery's European-style Dark Lager was named both Champion Australian Beer and Champion Australian Independent Beer, standing out among more than 2,300 entries with its medium body and smooth dark chocolate malt finish. Founded by long-time mates and helicopter pilots Howie Croft and Pete 'Macca' McDonald, Wedgetail Brewing began as a passion project that quickly made a name for itself 'We came down and were excited to benchmark our beer and to win is amazing,' McDonald said. Melbourne Royal's Kirrily Waldhorn said the Awards are a celebration of brewing excellence and a testament to the passion that defines the industry. '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 AIBAs attract entries from breweries around the globe and are recognised for their strict judging process and focus on brewing excellence. Here are the top winners from the 2025 AIBAs: Champion Australian Beer: Wedgetail Brewery – Dark Lager (Western Australia) Traditional European-style lager with a rich, smooth profile. Also named Champion Australian Independent Beer. Champion International Beer: Trumer Brewery – Trumer Pils (Berkeley, California, USA) A classic pilsner praised for its crisp balance and refined finish, made with noble hops and cold fermentation. Best Australian Lager: Kaiju! Beer – Cerveza Crisp Lager (Victoria) A Mexican-style lager with German yeast influence, designed for sessionability in warm weather. Best Fruit Beer: Dollar Bill Brewery – Brambalama Ding Dong (Ballarat, Victoria) A boysenberry-forward ale aged with French oak and balanced funk. This is the third win for this beer. Best Porter or Stout: Reckless Brewing Co – Stout (Bathurst, New South Wales) A rich, roasty stout with smooth texture and a lingering chocolate bitterness. Best Traditional India Pale Ale: Philter Brewing – Haze (Marrickville, New South Wales) A hop-forward IPA with citrus, pine, and a clean bitter finish. Best Specialty Beer: RojiCat Beer – Chili Cat (Gold Coast) A bold chili-infused brew with balanced malt sweetness and a dry finish. Best Belgian/French Ale: Slipstream Brewing – Gold Wild Ale (Brisbane, Queensland) A wild-fermented ale with layers of fruit, oak, and funk, inspired by Belgian brewing. Made from wild-fermented Tasmanian apples with natural effervescence and a dry finish. A bold, fruit-driven sour that highlights the flavour potential of non-alcoholic brewing.
West Australian
20-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Pilbara's Wedgetail Brewery turns shed brew beer into Australia's best with top honour
A Pilbara brewery that started as a passion project for a pair of pilots can now lay claim to home of the best beer in Australia, after taking top honours at the world's biggest annual beer competition. Wedgetail Brewing started as a dream from mates Howie Croft and Pete 'Macca' McDonald, who built a brewery in their shed, and came full circle on Thursday when their Dark Lager earnt Champion Australian Beer and Champion Australian Independent Beer at the 2025 Australian International Beer Awards. The brewery name was inspired by the wedge-tailed eagles the duo would cross paths with regularly on their flights. The prestigious win comes as they beat out just under 2300 entries, with past winners including popular names Stone & Wood and 4 Pines Brewing. McDonald, who was in Melbourne to accept the award, said they didn't give themselves a shot of winning against the industry big dogs. 'We came down and were excited to benchmark our beer, and to win is amazing,' he said. Melbourne Royal senior manager Kirrily Waldhorn said the awards highlight the best that the country has to offer from all corners. '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.'
Perth Now
20-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Pilbara pilots turn home brew into world class beer
A Pilbara brewery that started as a passion project for a pair of pilots can now lay claim to home of the best beer in Australia, after taking top honours at the world's biggest annual beer competition. Wedgetail Brewing started as a dream from mates Howie Croft and Pete 'Macca' McDonald, who built a brewery in their shed, and came full circle on Thursday when their Dark Lager earnt Champion Australian Beer and Champion Australian Independent Beer at the 2025 Australian International Beer Awards. The brewery name was inspired by the wedge-tailed eagles the duo would cross paths with regularly on their flights. The prestigious win comes as they beat out just under 2300 entries, with past winners including popular names Stone & Wood and 4 Pines Brewing. McDonald, who was in Melbourne to accept the award, said they didn't give themselves a shot of winning against the industry big dogs. 'We came down and were excited to benchmark our beer, and to win is amazing,' he said. Melbourne Royal senior manager Kirrily Waldhorn said the awards highlight the best that the country has to offer from all corners. Wedgetail co-founder Pete McDonald with the brewery's prestigious awards. Credit: Melbourne Royal '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.'
