Cheeky brews take out show accolades

Wilyabrup’s Cheeky Monkey Brewery has won best lager draught at the Perth Royal Beer Show for its Australian Lager brew.

The brewery also took home gold and two silver medals for its West Coast IPA, Session Red and Pale Ale brews respectively at the event last Friday.

Adding to its accolades at the show, Cheeky Monkey was tied in third place in the best commercial brewery and best West Australian brewery categories, both of which were eventually won by Perth’s Feral Brewing Company.

Cheeky Monkey managing director Brent Burton said more craft brewers were turning away from hop-heavy India pale ales and towards boutique lager.

“Lager’s considered to be one of the hardest beers to brew correctly,” he said. “It really takes skill.

“I suppose it’s a bonus that it’s a type of beer people love as well.”

Head brewer Ross Terlick said lager was certainly making a resurgence and it appealed to those in the middle bracket, between traditional drinkers and beer geeks.

Mr Terlick said the feedback from judges had been “awesome” for the crew.

“We’ve been working on a new core range,” he said.

“The boys are pumped to get the beers out there now.”

Margaret River’s Brewhouse also scooped a couple of awards, taking home best commercial beer, best West Australian beer and best stout draught for its barrel-aged stout.