ALIA 2012 Winners revealed
The leading liquor brands, venues, retailers and bar teams were recognised and rewarded in front of a record crowd of almost 800 people at the 19th Australian Liquor Industry Awards (ALIA) last night.
Guests from all sides of the Australian liquor industry gathered at Luna Park’s Big Top to celebrate the best of 2012 with the majority of attendees embracing the Hollywood theme of this year's ALIA and donning a variety of entertaining costumes.
The standout performer of the evening was Coopers, which picked up an incredible seven awards in its milestone 150th year.
Premium Beverages national sales manager Paul Esposito told TheShout the accolades cap off a special year for Coopers.
"I think the 150 years had a lot to do with this. The 150 celebrations have probably lifted the profile of Coopers this year - it's been top of mind in the industry."
"We didn't expect this but it's been fantastic."
Other big winners included Diageo, which picked up several awards including Supplier of the Year. It was also a huge night for Pernod Ricard, which was gonged several times for the Jacob's Creek brand.
ALIA 2012 winners
BEER AWARDS
Full-Strength Beer
Highly Commended (HC) – Carlton Draught
Winner (W) – Coopers Original Pale Ale
Light & Mid-Strength Beer
HC – Boag’s Premium Light
W – Coopers Mild Ale
Low-Carbohydrate Beer
HC – Coopers Clear
W – Pure Blonde
Premium Domestic Beer
HC – Boag’s Premium
W – Coopers Sparkling Ale
International Beer
HC – Asahi
HC – Corona Extra
W – Peroni Nastro Azzurro
Craft Beer
HC – Coopers Sparkling Ale
W – Little Creatures Pale Ale
Cider
HC – Magners
W – Rekorderlig
Best Marketed Beer or Cider Brand
HC – Carlton Draught
W – Coopers
WINE AWARDS
White Popular Wine – $12 and under
HC – Houghton White Classic
W – Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay
White Premium Wine – $12 to $35
HC – Devil’s Lair Fifth Leg White
W – Giesen Sauvignon Blanc
White Luxury Wine – $35 plus
HC – Petaluma Chardonnay
W – Grosset Polish Hill Riesling
W – Shaw & Smith Chardonnay
Red Popular Wine – $12 and under
HC – Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet
W – Jacob’s Creek Shiraz Cabernet
Red Premium Wine – $12 to $35
Wirra Wirra Church Block
Pepperjack Shiraz
Red Luxury Wine – $35 plus
HC – Henschke Hill of Grace
W – Jacob’s Creek St. Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Australian Sparkling
HC – Jansz NV
W – Grant Burge Pinot Noir Chardonnay
Champagne
HC – Veuve Clicquot NV
W – G.H. Mumm
International Sparkling
HC – Grandin Brut NV
W – Deutz Marlborough Cuvee
Dessert Wine
HC – Tempus Two Botrytis Semillon
W – De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon
Best Marketed Wine Brand
HC – G.H. Mumm
HC – Penfolds
W – Jacob’s Creek
SPIRIT, RTD AND RTS AWARDS
Dark Popular Spirit – $35 and under
HC – Johnnie Walker Red Label
W – Jim Beam White
Light Popular Spirit – $35 and under
HC – Russian Standard Vodka
W – Smirnoff Red
Premium Spirit – $35 to $75
HC – Johnnie Walker Black Label
W – Jack Daniel’s Old No.7
Luxury Spirit – $75 plus
HC – Chivas Regal 18YO
W – Crystal Head Vodka
Liqueur
HC – Baileys Original
W – American Honey
Dark RTD
HC – Jack Daniel’s Old No.7
W – Wild Turkey
Light RTD
HC – Bacardi Breezer
W – Smirnoff Ice Double Black
Ready-To-Serve
HC – Smirnoff Cocktails
W – Smirnoff Signature Serves
Best Marketed Spirit
HC – Johnnie Walker
W – Jack Daniel’s
HOTEL, BAR AND CLUB AWARDS
Best Tap Beer
HC – Carlton Draught
W – Coopers Pale Ale
Best Sports Bar
HC – Imperial Hotel Melbourne, VIC
W – The Golden Sheaf, NSW
Best Gaming Venue
HC – Kinselas, NSW
W – The Sugarmill, NSW
Best Hotel/Bar Food
HC – Hinky Dinks, NSW
W – Four in Hand, NSW
Bar Team of the Year
HC – The Baxter Inn, NSW
W – Black Pearl, VIC
Bar Manager of the Year
HC – Luke Redington, Eau-de-Vie, NSW
W – Chris Hysted, Black Pearl, VIC
Brand Ambassador of the Year
HC – Ben Davidson, Pernod Ricard Australia
W – Jared Plummer, CCA
On-premise Training Provider
HC – Alchemy
W – Mixxit
Best New Venue
HC- Hinky Dinks, NSW
W- The Baxter Inn, NSW
Best Nightclub
HC – Marquee, NSW
W – Hugos Lounge, NSW
Best Venue Renovation
HC – The Forresters, NSW
W – The Kodiak Club (Little Blood), VIC
Best Cocktail Spirit/Liqueur
HC – Hendrick’s Gin
W – Ron Zacapa 23
MAJOR AWARDS
Best Hotel
HC- The Sugarmill, NSW
W- The Beresford, NSW
Best Bar
HC – Eau-de-Vie, NSW
W – The Baxter Inn, NSW
Publican of the Year
HC – Justin Hemmes, Merivale
W – John Duncan, The Keystone Group
Bartender of the Year
HC – Charlie Ainsbury, Eau-de-Vie, NSW
W – Tim Philips, hemmesphere, NSW
Group Operator of the Year
HC – The Keystone Group
W – Merivale
New Product of the Year
HC – American Honey
HC – Coopers Celebration Ale
W – Crystal Head Vodka
Best Liquor Brand
HC – Jack Daniel’s
W – Coopers
Liquor Promotion of the Year
HC – XXXX Gold XXXX Island
W – Coopers 150th Anniversary Celebration
Retail Banner Group of the Year
HC – Liquor Barons
W – Porter’s Liquor
Liquor Store of the Year
HC – Prince Wine Store, Melbourne VIC
HC – Vintage Cellars, Hunters Hill NSW
W – Porter’s Liquor, Maroubra NSA
Supplier of the Year
HC – Pernod Ricard AustraliaA
W – Diageo Australia
Source: The Shout - 18 October 2012
