After winning the Excellence in Tourism & Hospitality Award at the 2021 Illawarra Business Awards Cupitt's Estate has won three medals including a gold for its Milton Pilsner, silver for its Hazy Pale Ale and bronze for its 2021 Imperial Stout at the Australia's Independent Beer Awards.
Head brewer Liam Jackson said the recognition at the Indies came as a fantastic surprise at a time when they were so busy keeping the beer supply flowing heading into summer.
"The quality overall of craft beer in Australia has continued to improve, year on year, and continues to do so, which makes these medals feel all the more rewarding that we are keeping up with the best of them," he said.
"I am also proud of the variety of beers that we received medals for. We are not a "one-trick brewery". Whatever beer we make, we strive for excellence, which really is what we aim for across the board at Cupitt's Estate.
"We pride ourselves on producing consistently excellent beer, so it's a real honour to receive these awards, and we think reflective of our dedication to the craft."
The brewery at Cupitt's Estate was established and Mr Jackson said the gold medal for the Milton Pilsner in the lager category was a particularly exciting win for the brewery.
'We have been committed to producing beers that reflect the region that we are in. We are proud to have developed a style of Pilsner that is refreshing and crisp reflective of the lagers found in Germany," he said.
The medals came from a record number of entries, including 1389 beers from 180 breweries, making the 2021 Indies the largest ever.
Meanwhile after jointly winning the Excellence in Tourism & Hospitality category with Silo's Estate at the Illawarra Business Awards customer experience manager Libby Cupitt said the Ulludulla business was delighted with the achievement.
"It has been such a tough year with the lockdowns, travel restrictions and health regulations, and our staff's hard work and resilience in adapting to the constant changes in the workplace is truly what makes us tick," she said.
"It is such a wonderful win for us to recognise our team's incredible work and commitment to our business and our customers. Winning alongside another Shoalhaven winery is a great win for the Shoalhaven wine region as well as the tourism industry."
Mrs Cupitt said it was the third time Cupitt's Estate had won an Illawarra business award and this one came as the family business was on the verge of opening a new arm to their hospitality and tourism offerings.
"From December you can now stay and dine at Cupitt's in one of the ten luxury pods overlooking green pastures and eucalypt trees a stones throw from the winery, cellar door and restaurant," she said.
"It has been a tumultuous year but now it's time for the South Coast to shine. We are really excited to welcome new and existing customers and show them all the products and experiences at Cupitt's on offer," she said.
"Our chefs have developed a fabulous seasonal menu, and we're introducing brand new wine and cheese experiences.
"We look forward to a busy summer and hope to see people's love affair with the South Coast continuing beyond the school holidays. "
Cupitt's Estate is also representing the Shoalhaven at the NSW Tourism Awards in Sydney on February 3, 2022 where they are finalists in the Excellence in Tourism category.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
