Craft beer poll shows: independence matters

Now in its 10th year, the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beer poll indicates the trends, brands and breweries shaping the craft beer industry. Described as “the largest and most influential people’s choice poll in the land,” this year’s poll attracted tens of thousands of craft beer lovers to vote for their five favourite craft beers.

In a year marked by the acquisitions of some craft leaders – 4 Pines (NSW) and Pirate Life (SA) by AB-InBev and Feral Brewing (WA) by Coca-Cola Amatil – the results of the poll show that ownership is important to craft beer consumers, with beers from each of the above-mentioned breweries slipping in rankings from the previous year.

However, Pirate Life still had seven beers on the list. In all, 71 percent of the listed beers, including nine of the top 10, were produced by independently-owned breweries. Placed first was Gold Coast brewery Balter with Extra Pale Ale; in addition, every one of its five nominated beers made the list and it was the only brewery to gain two places in the top ten.

In second place was Stone & Wood Pacific Ale – a consistent top three beer since the 2010 poll and three-time winner – with Crankshaft from BentSpoke Brewing Co in third place, followed by Young Henrys’ Australian Pale Ale Newtowner (fourth) and Gage Roads’ Pale Ale Single Fin.

An impressive 24 beers were new to the list, including seven in the newly-popular New England, or “hazy” IPA style. Coopers Brewery from Adelaide also returned to the list with its Sparkling Ale, after opting not to include its beers in last year’s poll.