Articles published under the media release byline are news produced by the relevant business and remain unedited by Brews News. This media release was circulated by GABS.

Celebrating the very best in craft beer can design, the inaugural GABS Can Design Awards presented by Orora is now inviting submissions from craft breweries around Australia.

Organised by the team behind the country’s premier craft beer event, GABS Craft Beer & Cider Festival, as well as the annual GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers poll, the Can Design Awards aims to shine a spotlight on the many talented designers and marketers across the highly creative craft beer industry.

GABS Event Director Craig Williams stated that the Awards fill a gap in recognising the importance of great design and visual communication in a brewery’s efforts to engage customers.

“Every year, there are numerous craft beer awards celebrating the best-in-class beers brewed around the country. Highly trained judges are looking at the style, clarity, flavour profile, aroma and mouthfeel. They’re looking at what goes inside the can. But what about the outside of the can? That brilliantly executed artwork that first catches a craft beer lover’s eye. That pop of colour, witty copy, and bold design that leaps off the shelf. In the world of craft beer, first impressions count. And it’s time to celebrate the creativity of the designers and marketers behind those important moments.” said Williams.

Breweries are invited to submit just one beer can design, released over the last year, for consideration in the Awards, and are encouraged to engage their staff and customers to identify the design they are most proud to hang their hat on. Judging for the Awards will encompass two key phases; a ‘People’s Choice’ poll where craft beer lovers can review an online gallery of all submissions before casting their vote; and from this, a shortlist of 10 designs to be considered by an expert panel to decide the ultimate winner.

“Throughout the campaign, we’ll be talking a lot about the design process and what it takes to bring an idea to life, from the brief to the final can manufacture.” continued Williams. “There are some truly brilliant people out there working in this space, and we think it’s a fantastic way to really showcase this side of the brewing world”.

The top 10 shortlisted breweries will share in an incredible $8,000 prize pool. The winner of the GABS Can Design Awards will take home the coveted ‘Orora Golden Can Trophy’, a free set of printing plates for their next print with Orora, PLUS the honour of claiming the very first title in what the organisers believe will come to be the gold standard award celebrating some of the most creative people in this exciting industry. All other finalists will receive a fantastic product innovation design and manufacture package with Opal Specialty Packaging.

At the culmination of the campaign, the winner of the GABS Can Design Awards, as well as runner-up designs and special mention awards, will be announced on Friday 28 August at gabsfestival.com. Following the announcement, GABS will also host a Can Design Hall of Fame on its website to celebrate the winning and shortlisted designs for perpetuity, building on this in years to come.

The GABS Can Design Awards is proudly presented by Orora Group, Australia’s largest beverage can solutions provider, and supported by Opal Specialty Packaging, the country’s leading experts in renewable packaging.

Key Dates

• Design Submissions: Closing 17 July at gabshub.com
• People’s Choice Voting: 24 July – 7 August at gabsfestival.com
• Expert Panel Review: 14 – 21 August
• Winner Announcement: 28 August