The (mostly) bearded boys from Colonial Brewing Co., Jarrod (The Stiv) Stivala, Sebastian Levy, Paul Wyman and Justin (Foxy) Fox made the trip from Margaret River WA to Melbourne this week for beer ‘research’, promotion, and to attend the Australian International Beer Awards 2015 (AIBA).

The boys scored a glut of medals for their range of beers and innovative, stylish but not pretentious packaging. They scored Gold for Best Packaging for the Colonial Draught Can and Silver for the Small Ale. (The latter was a bit of a surprise considering this can has Australia’s first ever 360 degree lid, which we thought was more than just pretty nifty!) Nevermind though, because the brewery won medals for the majority of their beers – including a silver for the IPA on Tour #5: Chief Pontiac (in the American Style category), a Bronze for the Small Ale in the light beer category, and a Bronze for the Colonial Wheat in the Belgian Wit category.

For the next leg of their ‘research’ they’ll be splitting up to join The Botanical’s Good Beer Month five pub circuit on Sunday 24 May and exhibit their Project #13 beer – a Belgian Golden Strong Ale, which is definitely a beer that comes with a ‘drink responsibly’ warning. If you want to try it for yourself get yourself along to GABS (The Great Australian Beer Spectacular) at Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building this weekend (23 – 25 May). Tickets here.