Returning for its 31st year, entries for the Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) will open on Tuesday 21 January, including new categories, trophies and beer classes as the competition evolves with industry trends.
Deemed to be the world’s largest annual beer competition, the AIBA evaluates both draught and packaged beer, giving breweries and cideries the opportunity to compete on a global stage before a panel of esteemed Australian and international judges.
This year, the awards attracted 2,500 entries from a record 412 breweries spanning 22 countries.
Next year, there will be 14 major trophies and 25 category trophies on offer, including the new Champion Australian Independent Beer and Champion Australian Independent Brewery awards. The two awards were introduced by the Independent Brewers Association (IBA) and Melbourne Royal as a way of celebrating Australia’s independent breweries through the temporary hiatus of the Independent Beer Awards in 2025.
Kirrily Waldhorn, Senior Manager F&B Awards at Melbourne Royal, says: “Melbourne Royal is a proud supporter of the Australian independent brewing industry, and we are excited to judge the indies and present these two trophies for the first time in 2025 as part of the Australian International Beer Awards.”
The awards will also introduce a cider and perry category with new Best Cider or Perry and Champion Cider or Perry Producer awards, in addition to three new beer classes, Australian-Style Low Carbohydrate Lager, Italian-Style Pilsner and Red India Pale Ale.
Further, updates have been made to definitions in European beer classes, along with a revised minimum ABV for India Pale Ale classes, rising from 6.3 to 5.8 per cent.
Entries to the 2025 AIBA opens on Tuesday 21 January until Friday 7 March, with the trophy presentation dinner to follow on Thursday 15 May, to be held at Victoria Pavilion, Melbourne Showgrounds.