Winners Spotlight: Altitude Brewing

Altitude Brewing, a boutique brewery nestled in the south of New Zealand, earned international recognition as the Champion Small International Brewery at the 2025 Australian International Beer Awards.

Elliot Menzies, co-founder of Altitude Brewing, reflects on the significance of the win:

"The Awards are the best measurement of where we stand within our industry. To win a beer and brewery trophy at the 2025 AIBA’s was a highlight of my career. The quality of beer in the competition is of an exceptional level, and the whole team here is still feeding off the recognition of what they have achieved."

This acknowledgment has had a meaningful impact on the brewery, elevating its profile both domestically and internationally.

"The wins have helped the business, tucked away in the south of New Zealand, being recognised at the AIBA’s has put us on the map amongst our peers. Winning our trophies has ratified our commitment to quality. It was what we always put first in our business but having a level of validation has helped keep our focus. We have more demand for core range beers than ever but want to make sure we meet the quality criteria of every batch."

For Altitude Brewing, the 2025 AIBA accolades serve not only as recognition of excellence but also as motivation to maintain the high standards that have become their hallmark. The brewery’s success story highlights the AIBA’s role in connecting global brewers, celebrating quality, and shining a spotlight on outstanding craft beer talent worldwide.

Entries for the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards are open from Tuesday 3 February to Friday 13 March. Head to melbourneroyal.com.au/beer to learn more.