Entries now open for the 2021 Australian International Beer Awards

The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) is pleased to announce that entries are now open for the 2021 Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA).

The AIBA annually celebrate and recognise the best brewers across the world with up to 35 trophies presented to the champions of each category, including the overall Champion Australian Beer and Champion International Beer.

Conducted by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, the AIBA is the largest annual beer competition in the world assessing both draught and packaged beer, attracting around 2,600 entries from more than 400 breweries in 26 countries.

The 28th AIBA will be judged over four days at Melbourne Showgrounds, from 11-14 May 2021 with RASV CEO, Brad Jenkins excited to offer brewers an unrivalled experience in benchmarking and feedback.

“As the world’s largest annual beer competition judging both draught and packaged beer, the Australian International Beer Awards is the pinnacle benchmarking opportunity for brewers from Australia and abroad.”

“To minimise the potential impact of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, in particular interstate travel, we have assembled an expert judging panel that involves the best Victorian based beer and brewing experts that bring the skills, knowledge, experience and importantly - a passion for celebrating beer and brewing excellence”, said Mr Jenkins.

The judges and their associates will be selected for their unrivalled knowledge and experience and will judge each entry against specific criteria including appearance, aroma, flavour and body, technical quality and style.

“The Australian International Beer Awards attract entries from the best brewers and breweries from around the world because it offers an incredible opportunity to benchmark against industry standards and place their brand among some of the most talented brewers in the world”, Mr. Jenkins concluded.

Overseen by a highly skilled Industry Advisory Group, the AIBA is shaped by the industry and consumer demand.

The RASV and the members of the Industry Advisory Group are thrilled that the AIBA go ahead in 2021, after not being held in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic.

RASV Awards Integrity Manager, Michael Katoa is excited to deliver the AIBA along with the exciting category changes and a new trophy that recognises the expansion of the non-alcoholic beer range.

“Several exciting changes have been introduced for the 2021 Australian International Beer Awards, including a new category for non-alcoholic beer, a split of the India Pale Ale (IPA) category into Best Modern IPA and Best Traditional IPA and the split of the Best Specialty Beer into the two trophies of Best Speciality Beer and Best Speciality Flavoured Beer”, stated Mr Katoa.

“These category changes ensure the Australian International Beer Awards are at the forefront of industry trends, production techniques and consumer interest”, concluded Mr Katoa.

This year will also include the presentation of a new trophy for Champion Victorian Brewery, awarded by the Premier of Victoria.

To be eligible for the Champion Victorian Brewery Trophy, the brewery must be located in Victoria and have produced the eligible entries at their own brewery. The award will be judged on the brewery’s top four (4) scoring entries, of which one must be a gold medal-winning exhibit.

All trophies are set to be awarded at the 2021 AIBA Presentation Ceremony with details regarding the format to be announced closer to the date.

The AIBA is open for entry until Friday 26 March – for all details on how to enter head to rasv.com.au/beer.