This isn’t just another elite armchair sport. It’s a full-blown crusade. To find the holy grail of malted perfection: The legendary… GRAND CRU ALE. A beer so refined, it makes wine look like it still lives with its parents.

Yep, it’s happening.
The GCA League is about to kick off.

This isn’t beer. It’s something even better.

We know. Blasphemy, right? But hear us out.
This is Grand Cru Ale, single vintage, terroir-driven, crafted with the same reverence as fine wine and the same swagger as a 3-hat chef plating oysters in a thunderstorm.

The League of the Grand Cru Alers is the ultimate battleground for the world’s most elite brewers, the few brave (or unhinged) enough to chase perfection with grain, water, yeast… and ego.

State vs. State. Brewer vs. Brewer. Mate vs. Mate. 

Each region sends their finest to compete in a knockout-style series judged by top chefs, sommeliers, and people who swirl their beer and call it "structured."

It all starts here. 

But the real glory lies beyond… 

The best from Australia go on to face off against legends from the States, France, Japan, Bavaria, India, the Nordics, and beyond, each armed with their finest bottle of Grand Cru Ale.

This isn’t some foamy punch-up in a pub. 

It’s liquid excellence, vintage by vintage, sealed and delivered with nothing left to chance or carbonation. 

 To compete in the League, you can’t just sign up. You need to be nominated, ideally by someone who knows what greatness tastes like.

Chefs can nominate Australian brewers for entry into the Australian League or internationals for the Global Final.
If your recommender has hats, stars, or cult status, you go straight to final selection rounds.
If they don’t? Well... we’ll still taste the beer. Just don't get your hopes up.

Because when a Grand Cru Ale pairs so well with wagyu it makes the chef weep, we take that seriously.

Michelin-starred chefs  

  Hatted chefs  

Serious sommeliers  

Champion Pitmasters 

Paul Hogan

If you’ve ever brewed something so good your mates shut up mid-sip —
this is your moment.

And if you know a brewer who deserves a shot?
Tell your local chef.
Because if they’ve got a hat, a star, or just make a mean risotto — their word gets you in the door.
No hat? No worries — just bribe ‘em with a slab.

Rules are simple: 

1.  vintage malt only Grand Cru Ale no second batches

2. Crafted with purpose, patience, and possibly divine inspiration
3. Complex, elegant, and absolutely not “just beer” 

4. No pastry stouts. Hopped soups. No lactose bombs. Save the fruit salad for brunch.