Queensland’s best beverages have been awarded at the 2026 Royal Queensland Distilled Spirits and Beer Awards, which took place on 26 February at the Brisbane Showgrounds.
Run by the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland, the Beer Awards have been awarding brewing excellence since 1875, while the Distilled Spirits Awards is the new kid on the block – now in its third year.
Grand Champion Beer was awarded to Happy Valley Brewing Co in Stafford, Brisbane for its 50K IPA, and Nil Desperandum from Woombye on the Sunshine Coast took out the prestigious Grand Champion Distilled Spirit title, for its Premier Rum.
Beer co-chief judge, Steve Henderson, said the Grand Champion beer stood out immediately during judging.
“The 50K IPA was fresh and vibrant, and the aroma just absolutely punched you in the nose,” said Henderson.
“The flavour matched the aroma beautifully and it had good body and carbonation.”
The beer competition, reinvigorated in 2019, attracted a record 704 entries this year – up more than 30 per cent on 2025. Judges described the overall standard of entries as phenomenal, particularly in the new Mexican-style lager classes.
“The entry numbers tell a really good story – the industry has had a tough couple of years and it’s just starting to turn around again which is fantastic to see,” said Henderson.
“Mexican-style lagers are becoming quite popular in the market and we saw a strong number of these entered that were exceptionally well made.”
In the distilled spirits competition Nil Desperandum claimed five of the 10 trophies on offer, taking home Grand Champion Spirit as well as Champion Rum/Cane Spirit, Best Queensland Distillery, Best Queensland Distilled Spirit, and the inaugural Champion Feature Rum/Cane Spirit Trophy.
Distilled Spirits chief judge, Dave Withers, said Premier Rum was a clear winner, although this year's spirits entries were outstanding.
“There was an elegance and poise about the rum. It showed real restraint, allowing the spirit to shine without being overwhelmed by too much oak,” said Withers.
“It was of exceptional quality, particularly in the way it appealed to a classic Caribbean style.
“When I first started judging distilled spirit competitions eight years ago, we certainly didn’t see the same level of diversity, boldness and experimentation that we’re seeing today,” he said.
The full list of beer and distilled spirits trophy winners includes;
2026 Trophy Winners – Beer
- Grand Champion Beer: 50k IPA Draught – Happy Valley Brewing Co
- Champion Pale Ale: Biere De Mer Draught –Madocke Beer Brewing Company
- Champion Amber Dark Ale: Brown Ale Packaged – Wobbly Chook Brewing Co
- Champion Porter-Stout: Extra Extra Packaged – Soapbox Brewing Co
- Champion Hybrid Beer: Bourbon Barrel Aged Anniversary Ale Vii Packaged – Slipstream Brewing Company
- Champion Lager: Alby Draught Draught – Gage Roads Brewing Co
- Champion India Pale Ale: 50k IPA Draught – Happy Valley Brewing Co
- Champion European-Style Ale: Classic Saison Packaged – Slipstream Brewing Company
- Champion Session Beer: Alby Crisp Draught – Gage Roads Brewing Co
- Champion Strong Beer: The Bay Double IPA Draught – Happy Valley Brewing Co
- Champion Mixed Culture Beer: Blackberry Sour Draught – Aether Brewing
- Champion Ginger Beer Of Show: The Ginger Trade Draught – Pacific Ocean Brewing
- Champion Low / Non-Alcoholic Beer: Yeah Buoy Packaged – Gage Roads Brewing Co
- The Star Brisbane Best Queensland Beer Of Show: 50k IPA Draught – Happy Valley Brewing Co
- Champion Best New Brewery: No Eye Deer Brewing
- Champion Large Brewery: Slipstream Brewing Company
- Champion Small/Medium Brewery: No Eye Deer Brewing
- Champion Brewpub: Happy Valley Brewing Co
- Best Contract Brewer: 27 South Brewing
- The Star Brisbane Emerging Queensland Brewer: Joint recipients Ben Kirby – Big Rock Brewing, and Jacob Viel – Blind Boy Brewing
2026 Trophy Winners – Distilled Spirits
- Grand Champion Distilled Spirit: Premier Rum – Nil Desperandum
- Champion Vodka: Davenport Vodka – Davenport Distillery
- Champion Gin: Imperial Dry Gin Blackwattle Distilling Co
- Champion Rum / Cane Spirit: Premier Rum – Nil Desperandum
- Champion Whisky: Country To Coast #6 – Fleurieu Distillery
- Champion Alternative Spirit: Pear Packham – Schnapps Idea Distillery
- Champion Feature Rum/Cane Spirit: Artfully Corrupted Spiced Rum – Nil Desperandum
- Best Experimental Rum/Cane Spirit: Stormy Skies Cane Spirit – Milton Distillery
- The Star Brisbane Best Queensland Distilled Spirit: Premier Rum – Nil Desperandum
- Best Queensland Distillery: Nil Desperandum
