Upcoming Competitions

Summer Comp 2026

This summer, the rivalry moves from the pitch to the pint. SA Brewing Club’s Battle for the Ashes invites brewers to celebrate the shared brewing traditions of Britain and Australia. Summer vibes — ales that capture the spirit of the summer session.

Judging will be in late February/ Early March. A little later than usual to let everyone get back up to speed after the summer break. More to come.

Date: Sunday TBC (end of Feb/ Early March
Time:
Venue:
Portal Open: Mid January

Categories

British batting order

11A – Ordinary Bitter
Low alcohol, lightly hopped British ale focused on drinkability and malt-hop balance. The classic English pub pint.

17A – British Strong Ale
A full-bodied, malt-forward British ale with higher alcohol. Rich caramel, toffee, or dark fruit notes, moderate bitterness, and a warming finish. Strong enough to sip, but still balanced and drinkable.

12A – British Golden Ale
A bright, refreshing, and hoppy ale that bridges British tradition and modern craft — crisp and thirst-quenching.

13A – Dark Mild
A low-alcohol British ale with gentle roast, caramel, and nutty malt flavours. Smooth, malty, and endlessly sessionable.

12C – English IPA
A balanced, moderately strong British ale with noticeable hop aroma and flavour, typically using English hops. Malt backbone is firm but not sweet, and the finish is dry and refreshing. A classic sessionable yet flavourful IPA from the UK.

Australian batting order

12B – Australian Sparkling Ale (inc. pale ale)
Golden, effervescent, and full of life with subtle malt sweetness and fruity yeast character. 

  • Examples: Coopers Sparking, also Cooper’s Pale Ale, Furphy Ale, GOAT Ale
  • Notes: While this category is a specific style and Cooper’s makes one with the name, we are broadening it to ‘Australian Pale Ale’. 

34A – Clone Beer – Australian Pacific Ale 

A balanced, easy-drinking pale ale with moderate fruity esters and gentle hop character from Aussie or New World varieties. Dry, lively, and unmistakably local.

Judges will assess entries on how closely they resemble the declared beer in aroma, flavour, balance, and overall impression.

  • Examples: Coopers Pacific Ale, Stone and Wood Pacific Ale

21C – Specialty IPA – Hazy

An IPA with intense fruit flavours and aromas, a soft body, smooth mouthfeel, and often opaque with substantial haze. Less perceived bitterness than traditional IPAs but always massively hop-forward.

  • Judges reference beer: Pirate Life South Coast, Balter Hazy, Stone and Wood Hazy, Mountain Culture Hazy.

Australian Dark Ale (AABC Historical Style)
A smooth, malty, and lightly roasted ale inspired by Toohey’s Old. Deep copper to dark brown, with caramel and chocolate notes balanced by a clean, dry finish.

  • Examples: Toohey’s Old, Carlton Dark, and Cascade Dark Ale. 
  • Notes: Brewed as an “Australian take” on English brown or mild styles, often using local pale malt and sugar adjuncts for a lighter body and crisp finish.

Australian Lager (AABC / State Comp Style)
Clean, crisp, and thirst-quenching with low esters, moderate bitterness, and a dry finish. Brewed with pale malt and sugar adjuncts for a bright, refreshing beer built for Aussie summers

  • Examples: VB, Carlton Draught, XXXX, West End Draught.
  • Notes: Similar to “International Pale Lager” but slightly more bitter and drier.

Drop off

At the venue on judging day and to COB Friday before TBC.