THE BIRTH OF – STATE AMATEUR BREWERS SHOW of S.A. (SABSOSA)

In association with the AUSTRALIAN AMATEUR BREWERS ASSOCIATION (AABA), the Eastern States approached the NAWBS** (see below) committee in

1994 – 95 with the suggestion that NAWBS be part of a national beer competition. This was to be comprised of State competitions initially. From these the best three of each beer category would qualify to enter a national event. The States would take it in turns to host this event. NAWBS rejected the idea, preferring their national competition to be autonomous. At this time, however, the amateur brewing competition scene was changing rapidly. Numerous national competitions were being held in other states. It was felt that Australian home brewers needed State qualifying competitions culminating in a national event. In 1996 Mike Leupold was approached by Colin Penrose (editor of Ausbeer Magazine), to organize a brewing competition in S.A. At about the same time, Mike was also approached by Jock Duncan, President of the Royal Agriculture and Horticultural Soc. of S.A. Jock wanted to know why a beer competition wasn’t being held in Adelaide, at the Show Grounds.

The idea was soon adopted. The criteria were the following;

• Support from both Blackwood and Adelaide Wine & Beer Clubs. (Organizers of NAWBS)

• Financial support from major suppliers and brew shops, etc.

Ron Head and Glen Davies (founders of NAWBS) assisted with advice. Coopers & Adelaide Maltings (now ABB Grain Ltd) provided main sponsorship. Both Adelaide & Blackwood Clubs & Home Brew Shops all chipped in with $60 each to get the competition started.

1997 – SABSOSA was organised from scratch in 12 weeks. The inaugural STATE AMATEUR BREWERS SHOW OF SA was held at the Adelaide Show Grounds, in affiliation with the Autumn Flower and Garden Festival. Great public interest was created. This was the beginning of state qualification rounds for the national competition (AABC). All the States were finally under one ‘flag’ for the biggest brewing competition in Australia – The Australian Amateur Brewers Championship, (AABC) Judged this year in Melbourne.

1998 – SABSOSA entries doubled to over 300 bottles. 15 judges decided the winners. Coopers & Adelaide Maltings were the main sponsors along with Home Brew Shops and both Adelaide & Blackwood Clubs (NAWBS) financial supporters. The AABC was judged in Canberra.

1999 -The Autumn Flower & Garden Festival at the Show Grounds was abandoned. SABSOSA moved to a new site - The Holdfast Bay Bowling Club, Glenelg. Both Adelaide & Blackwood Clubs withdrew their sponsorship, suggesting that, after two years support, SABSOSA were now in competition with them?

2000 – The AABC was judged in Adelaide - previously it had been in Canberra and the following year was to be held in Melbourne.

2001 - SABSOSA and competitions affiliated to the AABA, became committed to qualifying State rounds with the national championship being judged in a different state each year.

2002 – SABSOSA's top entrants gleaned 4 first places in the AABC; the best results to date.

2003 – Another successful SABS, with style guidelines at last settled - no alterations this year.

2004 – A record 17 judges, partly due to the SABS Tasting Workshop that was run. At last SABSOSA had its own web site. Results of this year’s competition were posted on 15 Sept.

2005 - AABC judged in SA, at Coopers Brewery. The judges were joined by 6 others from interstate. SA's best results to date, making a record clean up of prizes with 4x 1st – 6x 2nd – 5x 3rd places.

2006 - AABC judged in Melbourne.

2007 – A massive rehash of the AABC Beer Categories and Style list; now comprised of over 80 beer styles. AABC judged in NSW for the first time - with no trophies awarded!

2008 – Only small changes were made to the category list. The inaugural ANHC was held in Melbourne during AABC judging. The competition was well run and presented.

2009 – Constituted the biggest revision list to date, now with a total of 18 Beer categories. The procedure for judging was rationalized. SA drew second place nationally with Vic and NSW. The AABC was held in Canberra.

2010 - Second Australian National Homebrew Conference (ANHC) and the AABC will coincide on the weekend of 28-30th October, in Melbourne.

2011 - AABC to be held in Adelaide this year, following SABSOSA. Details to follow.

NAWBS**: National Amateur Wine and Beer Show is still judged each year in South Australia. This is the longest running national wine & beer competition in Australia. Predominately wine oriented.