Stout gang target Perth Royal Beer Show judges

Wilyabrup distillery and brewery The Grove Experience is hoping its foray into stout beer will impress judges at next week's Perth Royal Beer Show.

Brewers Matt Hatcher and Nik Hughes have a batch of the company's Gangster Stout awaiting judges at the show, which will be held over Monday and Tuesday at the Claremont Showground.

Mr Hughes said the beer, while a dark brew, was approachable for those who didn't usually go for stouts and had been entered into the sweet stout category.

He said there wasn't a huge amount of bitterness to the drink, with the goal to brew more of a "session beer".

"We've converted a few people over to stout drinkers with this," he said.

The Grove is primarily a distillery and this is the first time it has entered one of its small-batch beers in the competition.

Mr Hatcher said the brewers were excited at the prospect of feedback from the judges, who were renowned for their tough, professional opinions.

"It'll be interesting, regardless of what happens," he said.

The judging is based on blind tests, with malt profile, colour and bitterness critical to success.

Mr Hughes said craft beer judging was just as rigorous, if not more so, than wine tasting.