Bright Brewery’s National Sales Manager Evin Craney has won the prestigious Young Gun Of The Year Award and six Bright Brewery beers have been awarded medals at the 2023 IBA Awards held on the Gold Coast on Wednesday 23 August.

With the help of 50 stewards, 65 of the best and emerging judges from Australia, New Zealand & Indonesia spent three days tasting and evaluating some of the best quality beers in the industry.

Head Judge, Justin Fox said: “We are blown away this year at the quality of beers entered. 229 beers were awarded gold, and an incredible 85% of all beers entered received a medal.”

Bright Brewery received the following awards:

Evin Craney, National Sales Manager- Young Gun Of The Year Award
Modern Pale Ale: Bright Pale Ale (Gold)
Amber-Dark Beer: Black Diamond Black IPA (Silver)
Modern Lager: Alpine Lager (Silver)
Modern Pale Ale: POW Pale Ale (Bronze)
Traditional India Pale Ale: MIA IPA (Bronze)
British Style Ale: Hellfire Amber Ale (Bronze)

An elated Craney remarked on his win, “It’s a truly and completely unexpected honour to have been named the 2023 IBA Young Gun of the year. Whilst this award was given to me, it’s also a representation of the Bright Brewery team that I am incredibly grateful for. Receiving this award after over a decade in the craft beer industry is incredibly humbling and was only made possible by the inspiring and supportive Bright Brewery team.” He further added, “A huge thanks to all of those who have helped me so far with a special mention to the Grand Poobah of Bright Brewery himself, Scott Brandon, for the opportunity to give back to this amazing industry.”

The Independent Brewers Association’s (IBA) conference is one of the biggest events in Australia’s beer calendar and was held at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre. The conference concludes with the Independent Beer Awards (the Indies), held to celebrate and support the quality of independent beer in Australia.