The judging will proceed as normal in Melbourne from Monday, 8 to Friday, 12 April with 43 judges from the local and international brewing industry flying in to take part.
International beer identities include Kjetil Jikiun (Norway), Bert Van Hecke (Belgium), Chris Swersey (US), Yoichi Kiuchi (Japan), Leon Mickelson (NZ / China), Alastair Hook and John Keeling (UK). They will be joined by new Chief Judge Brad Rogers (Stone & Wood), as well as 2012 AIBA Champion Large Australian Brewery winner Brendan Varis (Feral Brewing) and Champion Small Australian Brewery winner Richard Watkins (Wig & Pen). Kiwi brewers getting in on the action include Brian Watson (Chief Judge BrewNZ), Luke Nicholas (Epic Beer), Richard Emerson (Emersons), Ralph Bungard (Three Boys Brewery) and Shane Morley (Stram Brewing).
Brad Rogers, is pleased with the lineup that has been organised for the 21st AIBA event.
“It’s fantastic to have such a stellar line-up of brewers at this year’s AIBA in Melbourne,” he says. “Brewers entering their beers will have them judged by some of the best in the world. Exhibitors will receive valuable feedback from the judging process which we hope will assist them with their product development, while trophy winners will benefit from valuable marketing opportunities.”
This year also sees the introduction of a medium-size brewery category and trophy to reflect the changing nature of the brewing industry, along with two new trophies celebrating the best of the best – Champion Beer of Show (Australia) and Champion Beer of Show (International).
The AIBA is presented by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) in conjunction with the University of Ballarat.
For more information on the AIBA, visit http://www.rasv.com.au/Events/AIBA_Home/ or contact on RASV on +61 (0)3 9281 7444.