Warriewood's Surfboat Brewery entered their first ever competition this year - the Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show, Australia’s premier beer and cider competition awarding coveted industry accolades.
All Exhibitors, whether a first-time entrant or a Champion winner, receive valuable feedback from the judges, helping to benchmark products against industry standards, peers and competitors.
On September 17 they received confirmation of the results with some medals for their brews:
Sweeps Stout - Gold Medal
Hard to Porter - American Porter - Bronze Medal
Hazy Hef - Hefeweizen - Bronze Medal
''Super proud of our first competition results. Kobey our head brewer has a smile to light the room!'' Surfboat Brewery's owners said
The Surfboat Brewery was opened in May 2024 at Unit 23, 43 Jubilee Avenue Warriewood by Kim Hall and Terri Revell, both members and part of the social dancing group, Northern Beaches Jive.
This group had space to dance in the Narrabeen RSL so when the RSL closed its doors in 2022, Kim and Terri started thinking about what to do to keep it all going. And of course, all that dancing makes you think of cold liquid refreshment, so with Kim a fan of beer in all its finest forms, the idea of opening a brewery rose.
The RSL's zoning prevented a brewery from being built there, but as the home of several local community social groups along with being the place where bands could be heard, the pair started looking for a place where they could launch a brewery and provide space for music, the NB Jive group and others, and found a suitable site in an industrial estate in Warriewood.
For locals, the Surfboat Brewing is more than a brewery. As well as a 12-tap bar pouring the beers made onsite, there’s great food on offer, along with a host of events that run throughout each week - Tango on Tuesdays for instance, or Jive on Wednesdays, Trivia Thursdays, Meat Tray and Karaoke Fridays, and great music every weekend.
The brewery’s name and motifs stem from Kim’s younger years as a volunteer surf lifesaver. Beginning with the surfboat out front, the sea motif flows through the venue, including floor-to-ceiling murals.
It's not just a chance to immerse yourself in the world of surfboats and craft beers though, Surfboat has community in mind, with colouring-in for children, a pool table and darts for bigger kids, and water bowls for dogs.
Their efforts are bearing good fruit as they attract everyone from tradies to beer enthusiasts to the after-work crowd to young families.
Now their efforts to produce great beers are bearing great results too, although they were not alone in being first-time entrants winning accolades from those who recognise great Australian products and producers.
The finest beers and ciders from across the country were put in the spotlight on September 16 as the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW announced the winners of the 2025 Sydney Royal Beer and Cider Show, with first-time entrant Sunday Road Brewing taking home the top prize.
A small independent brewery from Kirrawee, Sunday Road Brewing impressed the judges with its standout Après Ski Bavarian Hefe Wheat Beer, which was awarded Champion Wheat or Other Grain, and Best NSW Beer or Cider, before claiming the coveted Best Beer or Cider of Show.
This year’s show welcomed an almost 10% increase in entries, with 224 beers and ciders vying for top honours. Judges awarded 80 gold, 69 silver, and 36 bronze medals, which Chair of Judges, Ian Kingham, said is a reflection of the outstanding craftsmanship and innovation on display.
“It was another strong year for Australian beers and ciders”, Mr. Kingham said
“The consistency and balance across the classes showcased not only the exceptionally high standard, but the incredible diversity we have in this country. Several of the top awards were decided by split judging panels, which is a testament to just how competitive this year’s Show was.
“The Best Beer of Show was a clear standout. It’s a beautifully balanced cloudy pale Hefeweizen, delivering classic notes of banana and clove that highlight its finesse and drinkability, making it a thoroughly deserving winner”.
Among the standout performers this year were Reckless Brewing Co, who followed their 2024 success and status as a President’s Medal finalist with another two Champion Awards in the 2025 Show – picking up the Champion India Pale Ale trophy for their Red IPA, as well as the Champion Porter or Stout for their Reckless Brewing Co Stout.
The cider category was hotly contested with judges impressed by the overall calibre of entries. Last year’s Champion Cider winner Flying Brick Cider Co emerged as Champion once again with its standout Flying Brick Cider Co MC, while its Original Cider was also recognised for its excellent quality, receiving the prestigious Chair of Judges Annual Prize.
“There were several gold-medal winning ciders this year that represented the top tier of quality, with a neck and neck battle for the Champion title”, Kingham said.
“While the eventual champion product exhibited a rich traditional apple character with layered complexity and a dry, structured finish, the runner-up delivered remarkable flavour depth and a beautifully balanced combination of sweetness and acidity. Both were worthy of recognition which made this an easy choice for the Chair of Judges award”.
Also picking up two Champion trophies this year was first-time Champion Coastal Brewing Company, claiming Champion Lager for their Coomba Czech Dark Lager and Champion Pale Ale for their Hearts Point NEPA.
The Pale Ale categories emerged as one of the strongest collective classes this year with 88% of entries receiving a medal. The low and no-alcohol categories also delivered one of their strongest years on record with 91% of entries awarded medals across the combined classes. Leading the charge was Heaps Normal, who claimed the Champion Reduced or No-Alcohol Beer or Cider Award for their Jazz Stout.
“Dark beers delivered some standout entries in this year’s competition, and it was exciting to see a Stout take out the top spot in the non-alcoholic category.
“The reduced and no alcohol categories have shown remarkable progress in both quality and innovation in recent years, largely driven by consumer demand. To have 91% of entries reaching medal standard is a clear sign that this category is a vital part of the industry’s future, and fantastic news for consumers seeking flavourful, low-alcohol options”.
2025 marks Ian Kingham’s last year as Chair of Judges for the Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show after 4 years in the role.
''Ian has been an outstanding ambassador and loyal supporter of the Sydney Royal competitions for many years and was honoured with a Champion of the RAS Award at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show.'' The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW said
''The RAS thanks Ian for his unwavering dedication, commitment and enthusiasm over the years and his contributions to the Show’s growth and success.''
If you want to try out Surfboat Brewery's range they off a tasting paddle, 4 beers for $20, or pop in for a morning coffee or a dance or trivia, or yoga, anytime you feel like it.
Coming up they have their 2025 Oktoberfest.
Brewery Opening Hours:
- Monday & Tuesday: 12pm-10pm
- Wednesday & Thursday: 12pm-11pm
- Friday: 12pm-midnight
- Saturday: 10am-midnight
- Sunday: 10am-9pm
Café Opening Hours:
- 7 days 7am-2pm
At: Unit 23, 43 Jubilee Avenue Warriewood
Visit their website or Instagram page to keep up with what's coming up, or just drop by - you'll see a Warriewood surfboat out front!
Congratulation Surfboat Brewery, an outstanding confirmation of a great local success story.
