The 2016 Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) has opened for entries with a new major trophy on offer, bringing the total number of trophies to 30.

The AIBA, conducted by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV), is the world’s largest annual beer competition judging both packaged and draught beer, attracting over 1700 entries from close to 350 local and international brewers last year.

The addition of the New World Pale Ale Trophy, recognising brews distinguished by the prominent and evident use of New World hops predominantly from New Zealand and Australia, is in response to increased entries of the style over the last few years.

“RASV, along with our advisory group, continually assesses and evolves the categories within the AIBA to reflect industry trends, production techniques and consumer interest,” said Mark O’Sullivan, CEO, RASV.

“We had been receiving an increased number of entries of this style, and this trophy acknowledges the superior quality New World Pale Ale that brewers are looking for the opportunity to benchmark.”

Twenty-one major trophies will be on offer across the various styles, with nine champion trophies to be awarded including Champion Australian Beer and Champion International Beer, as well as honours for Champion Large, Medium and Small breweries, both Australian and international and Champion Gypsy Brewer.

The presentation of the AIBA Media Award, sponsored by The Crafty Pint and in its third year, will provide a unique opportunity for writers focused on the beer and brewing industry to be recognised for their contribution.

Boasting the largest lineup of Australian and International experts ever seen by the competition with 65 judges appointed, assessment of AIBA entries will take place over three days at Melbourne Showgrounds in the lead up to Good Beer Week in May and will be presided over by Head Judge Warren Pawsey.

The highly anticipated Collaborative Beer brewed by the previous year’s Champion Large, Medium and Small Breweries, will see the combined brewing teams from 4 Pines Brewing Company, Thunder Road Brewing Company and Boatrocker Brewing Company unveil the finished product at the 2016 AIBA Presentation Dinner.

The AIBA will be open for entries until Thursday 24 March, with more information available at rasv.com.au.