Canberra’s Wig and Pen really earned its title as best small Australian brewery in the Australian International Beer Awards 2012. The competition attracted 1,345 entries from breweries in 41 countries.
The trophy goes to the small Australian brewery with the highest average score across all the beers it enters – that is, its aggregate score divided by the number entered.
A brewery eyeing the trophy might restrict entries to its strongest. But brewer Richard Watkins courageously entered 14 brews, covering an adventurous, challenging range of styles.
Watkins won 12 medals from the 14 entries (two gold, four silver and six bronze). And the winning styles ranged from the easy drinking, popular Balleyragget Irish Red (silver medal) to the luxurious Lunch with the Monks – inspired by Belgium’s potent Abbey tripel ale style.
Copyright © Chris Shanahan 2012
First published 6 June 2012 in The Canberra Times