During the recent Good Beer Week in Melbourne, the Cryer Malt trade hub at BeerDeluxe was once again a focus for the brewing industry with a number of important trade discussions taking place.

Thanks to Kegstar, Brews News was able to be there to record some of these panels and we are proud to present these discussions.

This panel, held just hours before the Australian International Beer Awards presentation dinner, was a rare insight into how awards like the AIBAs work, who runs them and how, and what value is gained by both the brewer and the brewer’s customers. It’s an opportunity to see behind the curtain of secrecy that shades the AIBAs from the public eye and shows how the beers are entered, catalogued, stewarded and judged and the process of awarding the medals and trophies.

We hear from a range of stakeholders and learn the process behind the judging process. from the Industry Advisory Panel which works with the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria to ensure the awards process is impartial and fair and up-to-date with evolving trends, and from brewers from both very large and very small scale breweries. The discussion moves from the science and art of tasting, through to entry system, the judging process itself and how points are awarded, and champions determined. We then look at the benefits to the brewers who win, the lessons to be learned from those who fail to excite the judges and the extended benefits in terms of marketing and promoting beer that awards provide.

The panel consists of:

• Tina Panoutsous – a legend in the field of Sensory Perception and a member of the Advisory Panel
• Ian Morgan – Head Brewer at Mountain Goat
• Samara Fuss – champion Gyspy Brewer and co-founder and owner of Philter Brewing

Radio Brews News is proudly presented by Cryer Malt. With over 25 years in the field, Cryer Malt has been bringing you the world’s best local and imported malts. Your premium brewing partner and proud supporters of Brews News.

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Enjoy the conversation.