Entries in the 2015 Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) are now open, giving breweries the chance to compete with their domestic and international competitors across 18 categories.
The AIBA is conducted by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and is the largest annual beer competition in the world assessing both packaged and draught beer.
This year the awards will also feature a ‘Gypsy Brewer Trophy’ in response to industry feedback asking for Australian brewers who do not own a brewery to be recognised. The award reflects an emerging trend in the market and is believed to be the only one of its kind in Australia.
AIBA head judge and Little Creatures head brewer, Warren Pawsey, said, “The Gypsy Brewer Trophy presents a huge opportunity to talented Aussie brewers who have previously gone unrecognised in the industry. It opens the programme to a new range of unique flavours and brew styles. There is a lot of quality beer coming from gypsy brewers and I can’t wait to see what is put forward”.
Charlie Hodgson from Mash Brewing, winners of the 2014 Champion Australian Beer Trophy and BEST IPA Trophy, says that winning at the AIBA led to a direct increase in sales and brand awareness.
“It has done huge things for Mash. This past summer was very busy with most tanks (not just trophy winners) selling out on the day they were kegged or packed.”
This year, the judging and presentation schedule has shifted to closely align with Good Beer Week with less than a week between the two.
Entries close 6 March, with judging to be held 13-15 May. The winners will be announced at the gala dinner on 21 May, followed by the Exhibitor Tasting at Feddish on 22 May.
For more information and to submit your entry, click here.
Written by Caitlin Burns