Community & Business
6 November, 2025
The Nyngan Hotel has the “best draught beer in the state”
It’s official. The best draught beer in NSW can be found at The Nyngan Hotel.
Owners James and Emily Stanton travelled to Sydney last week for the Australian Hotels Association NSW awards, which were presented at a gala ceremony at Royal Randwick in front of a crowd of about 1400 industry, political and business leaders.
The Nyngan Hotel tied with another renovation success - the Lake George Hotel in Bungendore – for the prize for the best draught beer quality.
“This award recognises venues that deliver the best beer experience in the state – judged on everything from beer freshness, cellar management and glass cleanliness to perfect pouring technique and presentation,” Mrs Stanton said.
“To take out this title our systems and staff went through rigorous inspections – including anonymous mystery shopper style testing and back of house assessments of our keg room, cool room, beer lines and cellar management.
Stanton said the award was a credit to the team, especially manager Krista Williams whose pride in every detail set the standard.
“We are constantly working to ensure our beer system is spotless, perfectly chilled and running like clockwork every day,” said The Nyngan Hotel’s Emily Stanton.
More than 881 nominations were received for awards across 47 categories and AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said the winners represented the best and brightest in the NSW hotel industry.
“The quality of NSW hotels has never been higher.” he said. “From the mum and dad operations in the most remote parts of the state to multi-level entertainment precincts in Sydney, NSW hotels directly employ 72,000 people, raise millions of dollars for charity and drive the NSW tourism and hospitality economy.”
In other awards, Parc Pavilion Cronulla and The Oxford Bathurst were named the 2025 metropolitan and regional hotels of the Year.
In an industry first, The Dry Dock, Balmain and The Red Lion Hotel, Rozelle were also awarded distinction awards as judges determined the quality of venues nominated for Hotel of the Year in 2025 was exceptionally high.
The much sought-after People’s Choice Award was won by the Gerogery Hotel, Best Family Friendly Hotel was won by the Bellbird Hotel and the Marsden Brewhouse (joint winners), Heart of the Community was won by Coogee Bay Hotel - for the second year in a row - and Best Bush Pub was awarded to the 115-year-old Balldale Hotel in the Riverina.
The food categories were once again highly competitive. Best Restaurant was the Dry Dock Public House & Dining Room, Balmain. Best Burger went to Robertson Public House and Kitchen, Best Parmi was won by Railway Hotel in Temora, Best Sunday Roast was The Royal Hotel Paddington, Best Steak was awarded to The Oaks Hotel in Neutral Bay, Best Steak Sandwich went to the Coramba Hotel and Best Chip was taken out by Lakeside Village Tavern in Raymond Terrace.
Group Hotel Operator of the year was Tilley and Wills Hotels while the Individual Hotel Operator award went to Steven Speed of The Fortune of War in the Rocks.
Popular Newcastle hoteliers Rolly and Helen De With received a standing ovation when they were inducted into the AHA NSW Hall of Fame – it’s only the second time in AHA NSW history that a married couple has been inducted.
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