HomeBrew Tri Nations Competition
2001 - Australia
2001 year marked the first HomeBrew Tri Nations competition between home brewed beers made in Australia; New Zealand and South Africa. The finals saw the top three beers placed in each country's local competition judged against each other. A gala event was organised at the Canberra Casino on 24 November.
The title of Tri Nations Homebrewer went to Graeme Mahy of New Zealand with his Russian Imperial Stout. Second was John Strantzen from Australia with a Belgian Strong Ale, and third Martin O'Connor of Australia with a Scotch Strong Ale. The overall competition went to Australia for the highest team score.
2002 - New Zealand
The 2002 competition was only run in 2003, although the beers were brewed in 2002. The South African entries flew to New Zealand via somewhere remote (we're still not sure). The Australian entries took a long time to make the small hop south, and one of their three entries missed the boat altogether.
Brian Myers organised a great event, which Australia won, via the highest average score. South Africa came second and New Zealand third.
Ray Mills of Australia won with his Porter. Charles Cohen of South Africa came second with his Belgian Strong Ale. Mark Sheperdson of Australia came third with his Scotch Ale.
2003 - South Africa
The 2003 competition was judged at SAB's Alrode Brewery, in the tasting rooms. The tasting followed professional practice, and did not offer much to the spectators. South Africa won overall.
Mike Heydenrych and Charles Cohen of South Africa were joint first with an American Pale Ale and a Belgian Strong Ale respectively. Dub Zivkovic of Australia came third with a Bohemian Pilsner
2004 - Australia
Mike Heydenrych won with a Berliner
Weisse.
Second was Mike Day of Australia with an IPA, and third
Tim Busby of New Zealand with his Best Bitter.
2005 - New Zealand
Richard Pettinger of New Zealand won with
a Bière de Garde.
Second was Bruce Grayson of New Zealand
with a Kölsch and third Richard Pettinger with an American Cream
Ale.
Charles Cohen
