Byron man lands 'world's best job'

IT could be the best job in the world - Byron Bay brewery owner Brad Rogers gets invited – yes, invited – to judge beers all over the world.

IT could be the best job in the world.

Byron Bay brewery owner Brad Rogers gets invited – yes, invited – to judge beers all over the world.

This week he’s at the Perth Royal Beer Show, where it is his duty to help find the best beer from 246 entries.

He recently returned from the World Beer Competition in America.

And later this year Mr Rogers will travel to the home of beer, Germany, to judge at one of the world’s most prestigious beer events.

“I’m one of the first people outside of Europe to be invited to judge in Germany,” he said.

“So it’s a great thing for me to do, and a real honour.

“I’ve done a fair bit of beer judging all over the world.

“But Perth is going to be fun. This week is all about Perth.

“While I’m over there I’ll be putting some of our beers on tap in some of the pubs.

“It’s kind of like putting a little bit of Byron into Perth and Fremantle.”

The Perth Royal Beer Show is held as part of the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia.

Competition will be fierce amongst the commercial brewers for the 10 trophies, including best wheat beer, stout, lager and ale draught.

There are also five trophies for amateur brewers.

But the most highly sought-after prize is The Premier’s Trophy, awarded to the best beer of the show.

And while being asked to find the perfect beer sounds great, there is a lot for Mr Rogers and his fellow judges to take into account.

They consider flavour, technical quality, aroma and colour.

It’s something that Mr Rogers is very qualified to do.

He was the former head brewer at Matilda Bay Brewery but now heads his own brewery at Byron Bay, the Stone and Wood Brewing Company.

“I decided to have a crack at doing my own thing,” he said.

“Byron is the greatest place around, so why not? It’s a place that has everything going for it.

“But I still love judging at the beer shows because it helps me keep up with what’s happening in the industry.

“I get lots of ideas and I love being able to taste new and different beers.”

So does Mr Rogers’ profession make people green with envy?

“When I’m travelling (to beer shows), I get chatting to people on the plane and yes, they get jealous when I tell them what I do,” he said.

“But it’s just something that I love doing.”

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Originally published as Byron man lands 'world's best job'