Royal Adelaide Beer and Cider Awards

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:32): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation. Can the minister inform the chamber about how the Royal Adelaide Beer and Cider Awards are recognising top shelf beverage manufacturers in South Australia?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:32): I thank the honourable member for his very important question and his longstanding and ongoing interest in matters to do with beer and cider. Indeed, it was my great pleasure, along with the Hon. John Gazzola, to open the Royal Adelaide Beer and Cider Awards—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: So it was a two-man job.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: —earlier this month, celebrating and recognising our thriving beer and cider industry. I thank the Leader of the Opposition, who has not resigned quite yet, for his interjections. I note his longstanding interest and I know that very occasionally, on celebratory occasions, he can be half full of flat, warm beer. Very occasionally he does like a tipple, and I thank him for his interjections.

The increasing interest in craft brewing is continuing, presenting new opportunities for innovation across the sector and paving the way for small brewers in this state to enter the market. With more than 200 producers in Australia now helping to satisfy the growing thirst for craft beers, this is an important industry that has the potential for growth. The cider industry is also growing and industry experts—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: What about the whisky industry? Why don't you support that?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: —predict that this will continue. The demand has positive impacts for local manufacturers and producers. And, again, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his interjection and talking about obviously all the functions that he occasionally goes to and the different drinks that they represent.

For example, the growth in cider consumption is also seeing an increase in demand for locally sourced fruit. Australia's breweries attract tourists from around the world. A recent international and national visitor data survey revealed that the visitor economy has hit a record high, and with so many breweries located in regions experiences such as tasting tours are a great opportunity to showcase our premium beer and cider products. Last year, the 2014-15 financial year, South Australian exports of beer and wine were worth approximately $75 million, with interstate trade worth an additional $78 million, I am advised.

I am told that the Royal Adelaide Beer and Cider Awards this year had 200 entries from 42 brewers, and South Australian brewers performed very well at the awards, cleaning up most of the trophies:

For Champion Australian-style lager—Cooper's Premium Lager;

For Champion Pilsener—Prancing Pony Brewery, Achtung Helles;

For Champion India Pale Ale—Pirate Life IPA;

For Champion Traditional Australian Style Pale Ale—Cooper's Sparkling Ale;

For Other Ale—Smiling Samoyed Dark Ale;

For Champion Wheat Beer—Goodieson Wheat Beer (another very good local brewery);

For Best Perry—Barossa Valley Cider Company, Squashed Pear Cider;

For Champion American Style Pale Ale—Pirate Life Pale Ale;

For Champion Stout Beer—Southwark Old Stout;

For Champion Porter Beer—Goodieson Brown Ale;

For Champion Hybrid Beer—Woolshed Brewery, Judas the Dark;

For Champion Reduced Alcohol Beer—Coopers Premium Light;

For Champion Other Lager—Vale Amber;

For Best Cider in Show—The Hills Cider Company Apple Solera Series;

For Best New Exhibit—Pirate Life IPA;

For Champion Small Brewery—Goodieson Brewery;

For Champion Medium Brewery—Modus Operandi Brewing;

For Champion Large Brewery—Pirate Life Brewing;

For Best South Australian Cider Exhibit—The Hills Cider Company Apple Solera Series;

For Champion South Australian Beer Exhibit—Smiling Samoyed Dark Ale; and

For Most Outstanding Beer in Show (the big prize)—Smiling Samoyed Dark Ale.

I congratulate all those producers and all those involved. It is pleasing to see South Australian brewing in such safe hands. I would also like to recognise some of the people who made this event possible. First of all, the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia, in particular its President, Rob Hunt, and CE, John Rothwell. The society is made up of a lot of good folk who are good eggs and do a good job promoting primary industries and organising events like this.

I would also like to congratulate, in particular, Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival manager, Gareth Lewis. Something like 10,000 people were expected to attend the festival a couple of weeks ago and I am told this makes it the second largest festival of its type in the nation. Gareth is also a premium food and wine ambassador and an advocate from South Australia who is making a significant contribution to this industry.

In conclusion, I would like to say that I was told that the beer awards were first held in 1844, until they were suspended in 1913. The event was relaunched in 2011. I am sure all would agree that it would be a great pity if we went almost another century without these awards.