Ballina’s local brewery Seven Mile Brewing has recorded a big win at the Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA’s), taking out the prestigious Champion Trophy along with 4 Gold Medals. The AIBA’s are not only Australia’s premier awards, but they are now the largest beer awards in the world, attracting over 2,800 entries from 400 breweries, across 21 nations.

Seven Mile Brewing entered 11 beers this year and received 11 medals. Top among those was their West Coast IPA which not only received two gold medals, it also took out Champion Trophy in the “Traditional IPA” category, receiving the highest score in the field of 239 competing IPA’s. If that wasn’t enough, their current Limited Release “Herbs and Spices IPA” also received a gold medal, along with the popular core-range “American Pale” also receiving the prestigious Gold.

“This recipe was actually the first written upon starting the company. Despite Cali Cream being the brewery’s most popular beer locally this has always been my favourite beer.” said Matt Wilson, Seven Mile’s Head Brewer. Matt has always had a passion for West Coast style IPA’s over his 13 year brewing career. “Winning the most contested category at an event of this size has always been a bucket list goal” the brewer had to say.

This is Seven Mile Brewing Co’s first time entering the AIBA’s. Although, they have previously won Gold for their American Pale and West Coast IPA at the smaller “INDIES” beer awards which are only open to Australian Independently owned breweries such as Seven Mile.