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

In association with AUSTRALIAN AMATEUR BREWERS ASSOCIATION (AABA)

1994 – 95 Eastern States approached NAWBS** (see below) committee to be part of a national qualifying beer competition, where the best three of each beer category, decided at state competition level, would qualify to enter the national event for judging. Venue to be in alternate states. This was rejected; NAWBS preferred their ‘one off’ national competition, but things were changing. Nationals were being held everywhere! We needed a nationally organized event, with State competitions - only the best beers going into a national decipher.

1996 - Mike Leupold was approached personally by the Eastern States, to organize a brewing competition in S.A. At about the same time, Mike was also approached by Jock Duncan, President, Royal Agriculture and Horticultural Soc. of S.A., at Clare Show beer judging stand. He wanted to know why we didn’t do beer competitions in Adelaide at the show ground.

The criteria were:

• 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 $60 each to get us started.

1997 - SABSOSA, 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 year too, saw the founding of the Australian Amateur Brewer’s Association, AABA. Putting the states under one ‘flag’ for the biggest brewing competition in Australia - Australian Amateur Brewers Championship, AABC.

1998 - SABSOSA doubled the entries to over 300 bottles, with 15 judges to decide the winners. Coopers & Adelaide Maltings were our main sponsors along with Home Brew Shops and both Adelaide & Blackwood Clubs (NAWBS) supporting us financially.

1999 -The Autumn Flower & Garden Festival at the Show Grounds was abandoned by organizers. SABSOSA moved to a new site - The Holdfast 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 judged in Adelaide - previously in Canberra and the following year to be held in Melbourne.

2001 - SABSOSA and competitions affiliated to the AABA, are 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, our 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 we ran. At last SABSOSA has its own web site. Results of this year’s competition were posted on 15 Sept.

2005 - AABC judged in SA, at Coopers Brewery,our judges were joined by 6 from interstate. SA's best result so far.

2006 - AABC judged in Melbourne.

2007 - King-size rehash to AABC's Beer Categories and Style list, now over 80 beer styles. AABC judged in NSW for the first time no trophies awarded!

2008 - Small changes only to Cat list. Inaugural ANHC to be held in Melb during AABC judging.Well run & presented looking forward to the next one.

2009 - Biggest rehash yet to Category list. Now with 18 Beer Categories, more logical and easier judging. SA drawing second place nationally with Vic and NSW. AABC held Canberra.

2010 - Second Australian National Homebrew Conference (ANHC) and the AABC to coincide same weekend in Melbourne - 28-30th October.

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

NAWBS**: National Amateur Wine and Beer Show judged each year in South Australia. The first national wine & beer competition in Australia.