In the quaint Brisbane suburb of Yeerongpilly, a local brewery has just put itself on the map in a big way. Slipstream Brewing Company, a gem tucked away in this unassuming neighbourhood, has risen above the froth to claim the prestigious title of Grand Champion Beer at the 2025 Royal Queensland Beer Awards. Their winning brew? The Classic Saison, a beer that has managed to outshine 530 entries from 67 Australian breweries.
Head brewer Gavin Croft described their Classic Saison as ‘a traditional European style… and it’s a yeast driven style’ with a flavour profile that’s ‘nothing too challenging’ but still ‘quite complex.’ He mentioned the inclusion of ‘lemon and pepper and orange and things that are actually quite refreshing.’ It’s clear that Slipstream Brewing Company has crafted a beer that’s both approachable and sophisticated, a balance that’s not always easy to achieve.
The Royal Queensland Beer Awards is no small-time competition. Beers are judged ‘blind’, meaning the judges have no idea which brewery each beer comes from. This ensures that the focus is solely on the quality of the beer itself. Judges assess each entry on flavour, aroma, mouthfeel, and how well it aligns with style guidelines. It’s a rigorous process that culminates in a second round of testing for the Grand Champion Trophy.
Slipstream Brewing Company didn’t just walk away with the top prize; they dominated the awards, scooping up five major trophies. Alongside the Grand Champion Beer, their Classic Saison was also crowned Champion European Style Ale and Best Queensland Beer. Their Scooter American Red Ale took home the Champion Amber Dark Ale, and the brewery itself was honoured as the Champion Small/Medium Brewery.
Their success didn’t stop there. Slipstream also won an impressive 10 gold medals, 11 silver medals, and two bronze medals across their range of beverages. When asked about the secret to their success, Croft credited a ‘big focus on quality from the top to the bottom’ and a shared dream within the team ‘to make the best beer possible’.
The team at Slipstream Brewing Company is understandably in ‘party mode’, with Croft humorously suggesting that their $5000 prize money should go towards pay raises. But beyond the celebrations, Croft also weighed in on the perennial debate about the optimal temperature for serving beer. He recommends a range of ‘four to five degrees Celsius’ for most beers, allowing the flavours to unfold as you drink.
Croft even shared a little industry secret: some breweries serve their less flavourful beers extra cold to numb the taste buds and mask the lack of complexity. It’s a clever trick, but clearly not one that Slipstream needs to rely on, given their recent accolades.
Have you tried any award-winning beers lately that left a lasting impression? Or perhaps you have a local favourite you believe deserves more recognition? We’d love to hear your thoughts—join the conversation in the comments below! Cheers to discovering the best brews!
Also read: How are non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits made — and how healthy are they?
