South Australia’s best brews were honoured at the 2025 Royal Adelaide Beer and Cider Awards (RABCA), with the state’s local businesses claiming top spots across the major trophies and variety categories.
The awards are recognised as one of Australia’s most prestigious industry competitions, celebrating breweries big and small, their excellence and innovation.
This year, Eclectic Brewing, a full commercial home-based brewery located in Campbelltown, Adelaide, was awarded the highest honour with Most Outstanding Beer in Show for its Mosaic Theory IPA, also earning the Hop Products Australia Trophy for Champion IPA.
Founder Chris De La Rue spoke to Beer & Brewer about the recognition.
“We are incredibly humbled and honoured to have received these awards. But the craft beer industry is bigger than any one person or brewery. We all strive to brew the best beer possible. When you care deeply about our craft, show respect to your brand, products and customers, great things really can happen,” he said.
According to chief beer judge for 2025 Jeff Wright, the IPA variety was popular among entrants.
“India Pale Ales dominated this year’s competition with the highest number of entries, closely followed by Stouts – two styles that remain firm favourites among both brewers and consumers,” he said in a statement.
The country’s largest independent brewer, Coopers, was among the major trophy winners with the Fassina Liquor Trophy for Champion Large Brewery and its Pale Ale earning The Boc Trophy for Champion Ale. The brewery also collected two gold and 11 silver out of 23 medals.
Dr Tim Cooper AM, former Managing Director and Chief Brewer at Coopers told Beer & Brewer the team are delighted with the results that reflect their ethos.
“We earnestly pursue consistency in our beer quality, and we strive to create products that combine flavour with drinkability. This approach defines us, and it is truly gratifying when our beers achieve recognition in competitions such as this.”
Another major winner was Adelaide Hill’s Prancing Pony Brewery that accepted the Bintani Australia trophy for Champion Small Brewery 2025.
Its Piper West Coast IPA won a gold medal, as did The Cascadian Double Black, which also won a Champion Trophy in 2024.
CEO Corinna Steeb said the win belongs to everyone involved at Prancing Pony.
“We consider the trophy win as one for the team as it takes a lot of people to make it all work and everybody at the Pony contributes to the success. From the brewing team to the packaging, logistics and sales team, everybody needs to be on the same page. Further, our loyal customers who give us honest feedback on all that we do, always make us strive for excellence and a better outcome.”
She added: “While awards, trophies and medals are an important accolade in our business, what matters most is the fact that we may just make a few people happy for a few hours, while they enjoy a Pony beer at our venue or simply at home. Mission achieved.”
In the category division, McLaren Vale’s Fox Hat Brewing took home the Ecolab trophy for champion alternative grain/specialty beer for its Fox Hat Bearded Mongrel Barrel-Aged Stout.
Vale Brewing and Fox Hat Head Brewer Jayson Smart shared what it means to have the brewery’s innovation and new product development honoured.
“As our beers are very much the product of a team of craftspeople, it’s always both exciting and humbling to be recognised by a group of our peers. The win reflects Vale Brewing’s almost two decades long dedication to uncompromising craftsmanship, innovation, and creativity,” said Smart.
Pirate Life won Champion Lager with the Barrel and Equipment trophy for its South Coast Crisp Lager.
Head of Brewing Alison Leske said: “We’re stoked to take out Champion Lager. We’ve put a lot of time and energy into getting the recipe just right, so to see it payoff is pretty special. Our ethos has always been one of quality and connection, and we reckon this beer delivers on both fronts.”
For cider, Barossa Valley Cider Co maintained its track record, taking home The Barrel and Equipment Finance Trophy for Best Cider in Show.
Co-founder Oscar Bowen spoke to Beer & Brewer about another exciting win for the cider in a new format.
“We’re very proud to win Best Cider in Show and Best South Australian Cider Exhibit at the Royal Adelaide Beer and Cider Awards – for the third year in a row! This year’s win means even more to us because it’s the first time our cider was judged in a can and again came out on top. As a family-run business, that kind of recognition really shows we’re staying true to our commitment to quality.”
Vanessa Altmann, Chief Cider Judge 2025 commended the efforts of this year’s winners.
“The ciders presented at this year’s awards are a testament to the resilience and passion of producers, showcasing innovation and quality that continue to elevate the profile of Australian cider. Congratulations to all participants for their exceptional efforts in making the 2025 RABCA a successful Beer and Cider awards.”