Tucked away in a neon-lit alleyway where Tokyo meets Gold Coast nightlife, a tiny brewery and karaoke bar has officially brewed one of the world’s best beers – after winning at the world’s largest annual beer awards.
Nestled in the heart of Miami, RojiCat Beer took home Best Specialty Flavoured Beer at the Australian International Beer Awards for its daring and delicious creation, Chilli Cat (Yuzu Kosho Sour).
Led by acclaimed Japanese brewer Satoshi Tamura, the brewery and karaoke bar is a love letter to Tokyo’s Street culture - infused with Australian coastal charm.
Known for pushing the boundaries of flavour while keeping things fun, the venue has become a go-to spot for curious drinkers and karaoke diehards alike and the award-winning beer, Chilli Cat, embodies that spirit.
Brewed with pale malt, wheat and rice, the beer is light, hazy and low in bitterness - lifted by bright yuzu, green chilli and a hint of salt, with a gentle heat that builds sip by sip.
"We wanted to make something clean but complex - something that surprises you,” Satoshi explains. "The yuzu hits you first, then that green chilli creeps in at the back of the palate. It’s got attitude, but it’s still super drinkable.”
He says of winning an award as a new brewery opening in the past eight months to take home championship brew:
"I hope this will put our brewery on the map and get some more eyeballs on the great beer we are brewing and vibe we are creating.”
Melbourne Royal Senior Manager, Food and Beverage Awards Kirrily Waldhorn said the awards are a celebration of brewing excellence and a testament to the passion, precision and creativity that define the industry.
"Independent brewers are the heart and soul of our industry and they’re proving that you don’t need a big name to make a big impact,” she says. "These results show that authenticity and attention to detail resonate more than ever - especially when it comes to flavour and quality.”
Winners of the Australian International Beer Awards were announced on Thursday, May 15 at the Victorian Pavilion.
Behind the scenes:
•2300 entries from 390+ breweries around the globe.
•40,000 litres of beer - that’s a backyard pool full of brews!
•75 expert judges, tasting up to 60 beers a day.
•865 kegs, 1389 glasses and thousands of cans and bottles opened.
•Sustained by 10 kg of cheese, 60 boxes of crackers and a heroic amount of coffee.
•20% of judges flying in internationally and 25% female.
About the Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards:
The Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards is the world's largest annual beer competition, attracting entries from breweries and cideries across the globe. The AIBAs are renowned for its rigorous judging process and commitment to recognising excellence in the brewing industry.
For more information, visit Australian International Beer Awards.
