After taking a Covid-related pause in 2020, the Drink Easy Awards will return this year in a new home.
This week, it was announced that the University of Adelaide will be joining the national awards as the major sponsor. As such, Drink Easy will be conducting the judging process and ceremony out of the university’s historic Bonython Hall in 2021.
Launched in 2019 by hospitality superstars Tamrah Petruzelli (Super Assembly) and Mike Bennie (P+V Liquor Merchants), the Drink Easy Awards were created as a celebration of excellent drinks with charisma, as well as of the brewing and distilling culture at large. The event recognises all streams of beverage creation, including non-alcoholic and ‘alternative’ categories.
Judging for the inaugural event in 2019 took place at Hobart’s Mona, while the awards ceremony was held at Melbourne’s Paradise Alley.)
As an institution with such strong ties to the beverage industry, the University of Adelaide is a fitting choice for the second year of awards.
“We are excited to partner with the University of Adelaide and call Bonython Hall home for 2021,” says Petruzzelli.
“The University has been instrumental in shaping so many of the world’s great winemakers and wine identities through its Oenology, Viticulture and Wine Business
programs and this is the perfect opportunity for Drink Easy to join forces with a globally respected institution.”
As part of its residency at University of Adelaide in 2021, the Drink Easy Awards will be providing internship, masterclass and stewardship opportunities to the university’s students this year.
“Students from the University of Adelaide will shadow some of the best names in the drinks industry when they participate in Drink Easy,” says Dr Armando Maria Corsi, Associate Professor of Wine Business at the Adelaide Business School.
“By working direct with industry identities they will be equipped with the skills and knowledge, in addition to their core studies, which will help them excel in their chosen fields when they graduate.”
Alongside Drinks Director Mike Bennie, the head judges for Drink Easy Awards 2021 include Emma Farrelly (State Buildings), Liam Pereira (Batch Brewing Co), Fred Siggins (Pith and Vinegar) and Thurman Wise (CAPI). Mark Reginato (Hellbound) will serve as chief steward.
Judging for Drink Easy Awards 2021 will take place between 11-13 August, with an awards ceremony to be held at Bonython Hall on 15 October. Australian drinks producers have until 23 July to submit their products.
Kirsty Sier
