A Sunshine Coast distillery has claimed the nation’s top honour at the 2026 Royal Queensland Distilled Spirits and Beer Awards, held at the Brisbane Showgrounds.
In the distilled spirits competition, Nil Desperandum from Woombye was crowned Grand Champion for its Premier Rum, earning recognition as Australia’s best spirit on the night.
The distillery also secured the title of Best Queensland Distillery and won the inaugural Champion Feature Rum/Cane Spirit Trophy for its Artfully Corrupted Spiced Rum.
Its Premier Rum further claimed The Star Brisbane Best Queensland Distilled Spirit award.
Chief judge Dave Withers said the Grand Champion entry was a clear standout among almost 100 submissions.
“There was an elegance and poise about the rum. It showed real restraint, allowing the spirit to shine without being overwhelmed by too much oak,” Mr Withers said.
“It was of exceptional quality, particularly in the way it appealed to a classic Caribbean style.”
Now in its third year, the distilled spirits competition continues to gather momentum, with Mr Withers noting significant evolution in the sector.
“When I first started judging distilled spirit competitions eight years ago, we certainly didn’t see the same level of diversity, boldness and experimentation that we’re seeing today,“ Mr Withers said.
In the beer competition, Happy Valley Brewing Co claimed the Grand Champion Beer supported by Lion award for its 50K IPA.
Co-chief judge Steve Henderson said the winning brew stood out immediately.
“The 50K IPA was fresh and vibrant, and the aroma just absolutely punched you in the nose,” he said.
“The flavour matched the aroma beautifully and it had good body and carbonation.”
The beer competition attracted a record 704 entries this year — up more than 30 per cent on 2025 — reflecting renewed confidence across the industry.
“The entry numbers tell a really good story – the industry has had a tough couple of years and it’s just starting to turn around again which is fantastic to see,” Mr Henderson said.
Further highlighting the sector’s resurgence, The Star Brisbane Emerging Queensland Brewer Award resulted in a tie for the first time, shared by Ben Kirby of Big Rock Brewing in Rockhampton and Jacob Viel of Blind Boy Brewing in Salisbury.
Mr Henderson described the overall standard as phenomenal, particularly in the increasingly popular Mexican-style lager classes.
“Mexican-style lagers are becoming quite popular in the market and we saw a strong number of these entered that were exceptionally well made.”
The Royal Queensland Awards celebrate excellence across seven categories: distilled spirits, beer, wine, beef, lamb, dairy and ice cream, showcasing the depth and quality of Australia’s food and beverage producers.
2026 TROPHY WINNERS – BEER
GRAND CHAMPION BEER SUPPORTED BY LION (Australia’s best beer)
50K IPA Draught by Happy Valley Brewing Co
CHAMPION PALE ALE SUPPORTED BY BINTANI
Biere De Mer Draught by Madocke Beer Brewing Company
CHAMPION AMBER DARK ALE
Brown Ale Packaged by Wobbly Chook Brewing Co
CHAMPION PORTER-STOUT
Extra Extra Packaged by Soapbox Brewing Co
CHAMPION HYBRID BEER
Bourbon Barrel Aged Anniversary Ale VII Packaged by Slipstream Brewing Company
CHAMPION LAGER SUPPORTED BY BARRETT BURSTON
Alby Draught Draught by Gage Roads Brewing Co
CHAMPION INDIA PALE ALE SUPPORTED BY KEGSTAR
50K IPA Draught by Happy Valley Brewing Co
CHAMPION EUROPEAN-STYLE ALE
Classic Saison Packaged by Slipstream Brewing Company
CHAMPION SESSION BEER
Alby Crisp Draught by Gage Roads Brewing Co
CHAMPION STRONG BEER
The Bay Double IPA Draught by Happy Valley Brewing Co
CHAMPION MIXED CULTURE BEER
Blackberry Sour Draught by Aether Brewing
CHAMPION GINGER BEER OF SHOW
The Ginger Trade Draught by Pacific Ocean Brewing
CHAMPION LOW / NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER
Yeah Buoy Packaged by Gage Roads Brewing Co
THE STAR BRISBANE BEST QUEENSLAND BEER OF SHOW
50K IPA Draught by Happy Valley Brewing Co
CHAMPION BEST NEW BREWERY
No Eye Deer Brewing
CHAMPION LARGE BREWERY SUPPORTED BY CRYER MALT
Slipstream Brewing Company
CHAMPION SMALL/MEDIUM BREWERY SUPPORTED BY HPA
No Eye Deer Brewing
CHAMPION BREWPUB
Happy Valley Brewing Co
BEST CONTRACT BREWER
27 South Brewing
THE STAR BRISBANE EMERGING QUEENSLAND BREWER
Joint recipients: Ben Kirby from Big Rock Brewing and Jacob Viel from Blind Boy Brewing
2026 TROPHY WINNERS – DISTILLED SPIRITS
GRAND CHAMPION DISTILLED SPIRIT (Australia’s best distilled spirit)
Premier Rum by Nil Desperandum
CHAMPION VODKA
Davenport Vodka by Davenport Distillery
CHAMPION GIN
Imperial Dry Gin Blackwattle Distilling Co
CHAMPION RUM / CANE SPIRIT
Premier Rum by Nil Desperandum
CHAMPION WHISKY
Country to Coast #6 by Fleurieu Distillery
CHAMPION ALTERNATIVE SPIRIT
Pear Packham by Schnapps Idea Distillery
CHAMPION FEATURE RUM / CANE SPIRIT
Nil Desperandum Artfully Corrupted Spiced Rum by Nil Desperandum
BEST EXPERIMENTAL RUM / CANE SPIRIT
Stormy Skies Cane Spirit by Milton Distillery
THE STAR BRISBANE BEST QUEENSLAND DISTILLED SPIRIT
Premier Rum by Nil Desperandum
BEST QUEENSLAND DISTILLERY
Nil Desperandum
