Breweries from Australia and across the world were celebrated last night at the 2024 Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards (AIBAs), with Stone & Wood, Garage Project, and Brick Lane Brewing dominating the awards.
As the world’s largest beer competition assessing draught and packaged beer, design, and media, the awards received over 2500 beer entries from more than 400 breweries across 23 countries, which Darren Keating, Melbourne Royal Executive General Manager, Agriculture, said was a record year for the AIBAs.
“The pinnacle event for celebrating excellence, hard work and innovation in the beer and brewing industry, this year’s Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards was an incredible success with a record number of brewers showcasing their passion, and precision for crafting some of the world’s best beer,” he said.
More than 41,000 litres of beer were supplied by the entrants, which the judging panel assessed over four days. The international panel comprised 84 judges, 30 per cent of which were women, and 15 of which were beer experts from nine different countries.
“We are immensely grateful for the extraordinary support from the beer industry and thank all brewers, judges, stewards, sponsors and event staff for ensuring this world-class event remains at the highest level,” Keating said.
The title of Champion Australian Beer, presented by Cryer Malt, went to NSW brewery Stone & Wood for its Hinterland Pale Ale. The same beer also took out Best Australian Style Pale Ale, presented by KONVOY. The second instalment of Stone & Wood’s All-Australian Hops series, Hinterland Pale Ale utilises Eclipse and Vic Secret, and tasting notes describe juicy citrus flavours, with subtle notes of tropical pineapple and mandarin.
New Zealand brewery Garage Project came home with four awards, winning Champion International Beer, presented by Boortmalt Asia Pacific, for its Chance, Luck & Magic 2021, which also won Best Belgian or French-Style Ale. It also took out the title of Champion Large International Brewery, presented by KONVOY.
Melbourne’s Brick Lane Brewing was also recognised with four awards, including Champion Victorian Brewery, presented by Agriculture Victoria, and Champion Large Australian Brewery, presented by Barrett Burston Malting.
“Winning a trophy or medal at the coveted Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards opens many commercial doors and inspires consumer trends, and I extend my congratulations to all winners of medals and trophies,” Keating said.
Other major award winners included Victoria’s Dollar Bill Brewing, which won Australian Gyspy Brewer Award, WA’s King Road Brewing Co which was awarded Champion Small Australian Brewery, presented by Hop Products Australia (HPA), and Victoria’s Kaiju! Beer which was named Champion Medium Australian Brewery, presented by Cryer Malt.
The full list of awards can be found on the Melbourne Royal website.