Margaret River Beer Co and Rocky Ridge score trophies at Melbourne’s International Beer Awards on May 16

Two Capes brewers have scored major wins at the Australian International Beer Awards, held in Melbourne earlier this month.

The popular independently owned Margaret River Beer Co, formerly known as the Margaret River Brewhouse, collected a major trophy for its hazy In the Pines IPA in the category for best modern pale ale on May 16.

In the Pines was also a finalist for the 2024 champion Australian beer title, which went to Stone and Wood’s Hinterland Big Pale.

The company also brought home a swag of medals from the ceremony that also saw other South West breweries hailed.

Sharing the winner’s podium was Busselton-based Rocky Ridge Brewing.

The certified sustainable brewer scored the trophy for best fruit beer for its famously sour Rock Candy beer.

Margaret River Beer Co co-owner Iliya Hastings said he and his team were “super stoked with these results”.

“It reinforces our decision to invest in our new brewery, to keep flying the flag for craft, and the point of difference our industry provides to the big beer out there,” he said.

Head brewer Ryan Allen said In The Pines was enjoying a growing reputation in WA.

“It’s a great juicy beer, packed full of tropical fruit flavours from the hop profile,” he said.

“I couldn’t be more happy with the result and the hard work put in by the whole team.”