Media Release

THE BEST IN BEER BEGIN JUDGING AIBA ENTRIES

More than 40 beer experts from around the globe came together yesterday to judge the 21st Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) at Melbourne Showgrounds.

With record entries in 2013, judges have the difficult task of selecting the best brews from home and abroad from a staggering 1,480 entries.

AIBA Chief Judge, Brad Rogers, is pleased with the standard of entries this year and the impressive judging panel.

“The AIBA brings together the best of the best in the beer industry and this year we’ve seen a 12 per cent increase in entries from 2012 which is a clear testament to the calibre of the awards.

“With entries from 270 brewers in 35 countries across Europe, America, Asia, South America, Australia and New Zealand, our incredible line-up of judges will have their work cut out for them to select the best of each class,” said Rogers.

Judges have so far assessed 324 beers from 34 classes with the remaining beers to be judged this week.

To enhance the current AIBA program several new categories have been implemented to recognise the best medium sized brewery, as well as new trophies for Australian Champion Beer of Show and International Champion Beer of Show.

Beer enthusiasts will have an opportunity to meet the judges in Melbourne this week at the AIBA ‘Meet the Judges’ event held in partnership with Good Beer Week. The event will be held at two locations, The Royston Hotel, Richmond and The Ale House Project, Brunswick East on Wednesday, 10 April from 8:00pm. Entry is free, with beers available at bar prices.

The AIBA is the pre-eminent showcase for premium beer and brewing excellence in the Asia Pacific region and is presented by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) in conjunction with the University of Ballarat.

The winners will be announced at the AIBA Presentation Dinner on Thursday, 23 May 2013 at the Peninsula, Docklands. Tickets can be purchased here.