ONE OF Queensland’s most iconic drinks will be recognised at the 2025 Royal Queensland Beer Awards (RQBA).
The competition celebrates excellence in Australian brewing and has this year introduced a new champion trophy for the best ginger beer.
The Ginger Beer supported by Buderim Ginger class recognises the rising popularity of craft ginger beer, showcasing the brewer’s bold and refreshing interpretation of the classic Queensland beverage.
RQA Judges and Advisory Committee Chairperson and Judge Steve Henderson said it was right to recognise the unique Queensland ingredient at the Royal Queensland Beer Awards.
“The style guidelines for the brewed ginger beer class have been written especially for this competition and as long as it’s a brewed product and is alcoholic it will be eligible to enter,” Mr Henderson said.
“We’re expecting quite a few Queensland-based entries, however the class is open to breweries right across Australia so we’re hoping to see ginger beers from many different locations entered.”
The winner of the Grand Champion Beer of Show will take home a $5,000 Lion Bursary, aimed at furthering the brewer’s own knowledge and advancing the Australian beer industry.
The competition will also see an emerging Queensland brewer crowned The Star Brisbane Emerging Brewer of the Year, with their beers to be sold at The Star Brisbane.
Those brewing non-alcoholic beverages can also enter the competition, with a new dedicated Non-Alcoholic Malt Beverage class introduced for 2025.
Entries in the RQBA have increased year on year since the competition was revitalised in 2019 and Mr Henderson said he expected next year to be no different.
“We’re the first Australian beer competition of the calendar year and I think a lot of breweries will want to see how their products compare by having them evaluated by our talented judges, so I do expect the number of entries to increase again,’’ he said.
Entries close Friday 31 January 2025. Brewers can enter now at www.rqa.com.au/competitions/beer-awards
For more information on the Royal Queensland Awards visit www.rqa.com.au
