
Bellingen resident Craig Phillips' session IPA beer won over the judges to take out the Wicked Elf Brewery and Country Brewer's competition on Saturday, December 11.
"I'm shaking, smiling and feeling really good," Mr Phillips said after he named as the winner.
The brew claimed a gold medal which means it's at commercial standard, according to Wicked Elf's head brewer Ryan Nilsson-Linne.
Judges tasted 130 beers, which were submitted by 88 amateur brewers.
"We judged them along the lines of a professional beer competition," Mr Nilsson-Linne said.

"Beers are judged out of 20 based on their appearance, style, flavour, body and how the technical aspects of their creation line up."
There were 41 bronze medals, 20 silver medals and 15 gold medals handed out to participants.
Mr Phillips' beer will be showcased on tap at the Wicked Elf.
The session IPA beer was described as being easy drinking on a summer's day.
"It's full of flavour without the huge amount of alcohol that a normal IPA has," Mr Phillips said.
The home brew enthusiast has been creating beers for about 10 years.
Ben Lenehan placed second in the competition for his Ella NZ Pils.
Mr Lenehan said Mr Phillips was his home brewing mentor and helped to perfect his recipe.

Mr Lenehan has four children and said his partner is incredibly supportive of his hobby.
The Country Brewer supported the event and Mark Harter from the Port Macquarie store said the event provided an opportunity for amateur brewers to gain feedback from judges, while connecting with others who enjoy the hobby.
"If the brewers take on the feedback with a positive attitude then they actually improve their brewing," he said.
"So next year they can do better, or possibly even win."
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