Smiling Samoyed Brewery stood out amongst triumphant exhibitors at the Royal Adelaide Beer and Cider Awards on Friday night. The South Australian boutique brewery, run by husband and wife duo Simon Dunstone and Kate Henning, won Most Outstanding Beer in Show for the second consecutive year.

Smiling Samoyed won the top award and Champion South Australian Beer Exhibit and The Ecolab Medallion for Other Ale with its popular Dark Ale.

“We’re really thrilled that the judges have recognised our beer as not only being really high quality but also consistent over the past two years. It makes us feel like we’re heading in the right direction,” Kate told drinks bulletin.

Smiling Samoyed’s Dark Ale is made from a staggering six different malts.

“Our Dark Ale is quite a low alcohol beer, it’s only 4.3%, but it’s got really complex flavours, and I think that combination really allows it to shine,” Kate added.

South Australian breweries dominated the 196 entrants this year, with Modus Operandi Brewing (Champion Medium Brewery) in New South Wales the only trophy winner from outside of the state.

Pirate Life continued its running streak after making its debut in the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers poll last year, winning Champion India Pale Ale and Champion American Style Pale Ale this time around. Judges also awarded the brewery Best New Exhibit and Champion Large Brewery.

Coopers Brewery won Champion Australian Style Lager, alongside Champion Traditional Australian Style Pale Ale and Champion Reduced Alcohol Beer.

Goodieson Brewery in McLaren Vale also won three trophies, including Champion Wheat Beer, Champion Porter and Champion Small Brewery.

Other winners included West End (Champion Stout Beer), Woolshed Brewery (Champion Hybrid Beer), Prancing Pony Brewery (Champion Pilsner) and Vale Brewing (Champion Other Lager).

In cider, The Hills Cider Company won two trophies with its Apple Solera Series. The cidery won both Best Australian Cider Exhibit and Best in Show. The Barossa Valley Cider Company was also among successful cider exhibitors, winning Best Perry with its Squashed Pear Cider.

(Image: Simon Dunstone and Kate Henning receiving their award. Credit: Matt Carty, The Crafty Pint)

2016 Royal Adelaide Beer and Cider Awards

The Orora Group Trophy for Most Outstanding Beer in Show
Winner: Smiling Samoyed Brewery – Smiling Samoyed Dark Ale

The Kings Trophy for Champion South Australian Beer Exhibit
Winner: Smiling Samoyed Brewery – Smiling Samoyed Dark Ale

The Ecolab Medallion for Other Ale
Winner: Smiling Samoyed Brewery – Smiling Samoyed Dark Ale

The Cellarbrations Medallion for Champion Australian Style Lager
Winner: Coopers Brewery Ltd – Coopers Premium Lager

The Cryermalt Medallion for Champion Traditional Australian Style Pale Ale
Winner: Coopers Brewery Ltd – Coopers Sparkling Ale

The CCL Label Clear Image Medallion for Champion Reduced Alcohol Beer
Winner: Coopers Brewery Ltd – Coopers Premium Light

The Cellarbrations Medallion for Champion Pilsener
Winner: Prancing Pony Brewery Pty Ltd – Achtung Helles

The Cryermalt Medallion for Champion India Pale Ale
Winner: Pirate Life Brewing – Pirate Life IPA

The Andale Medallion for Champion American Style Pale Ale
Winner: Pirate Life Brewing – Pirate Life Pale Ale

The Chief Judges Award for Best New Exhibit
Winner: Pirate Life Brewing – Pirate Life IPA
Class 13, Category No. 94

The Cellarbrations Trophy for Champion Large Brewery
Winner: Pirate Life Brewing

The Ecolab Medallion for Champion Wheat Beer
Winner: Goodieson Brewery – Goodieson Wheat Beer

The Air Liquide Medallion for Champion Porter Beer
Winner: Goodieson Brewery – Goodieson Brown Ale

The Bintani Australia Trophy for Champion Small Brewery
Winner: Goodieson Brewery

The Ashton Valley Fresh Trophy for Best Perry
Winner: The Barossa Valley Cider Company P/L – Squashed Pear Cider

The Andale Medallion for Champion Stout Beer
Winner: West End Brewery – Southwark Old Stou

The Air Liquide Medallion for Champion Hybrid Beer
Winner: Woolshed Brewery – Judas the Dark

The CCL Label Clear Image Medallion for Champion Other Lager
Winner: Vale Brewing – Vale Amber

The CCL Label Clear Image Trophy for Best Cider in Show
Winner: The Hills Cider Company – The Hills Cider Company Apple Solera Series

The Winequip Trophy for Best South Australian Cider Exhibit
Winner: The Hills Cider Company – The Hills Cider Company Apple Solera Series

The Fassina Liquor Trophy for Champion Medium Brewery
Winner: Modus Operandi Brewing