UPDATED (23/7)

The organisers of the Australian International Beer Awards have taken the decision to cancel the 2020 competition.

Initially, they planned to run a virtual version of the awards in September after postponing the original May dates due to the COVID-19 shutdown. But, with the situation remaining uncertain, they have now decided to cancel and look forward to 2021.

In an announcement on July 23, they stated:

Due to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the social distancing measures in place, The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) has made the decision to cancel the Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA).

In making this decision, the health of our judges and volunteers has remained the priority. With a large reliance on the international beer community to support the AIBA with entries and judges, it was not possible to stage an international award program during the current global health crisis.

The RASV will be providing a full refund to exhibitors for any entry fees paid. With no AIBA in 2020, we will be using this time to review and make improvements to the program.

Commencing as a small domestic program in 1987, the AIBA has since grown into the largest annual beer competition in the world assessing both draught and packaged beer and attracting more than 2500 entries from more than 400 breweries in 26 countries.

We thank exhibitors for their patience and understanding and look forward to your support when the Australian International Beer Awards return bigger and better in 2021.

Original event details

The Australian International Beer Awards was one of many major events in the local beer world to fall foul of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, having hosted a virtual mini-awards looking back over the past few years on the originally scheduled night in May, the team at RASV has announced new dates for the 2020 judging and awards night proper.

Anyone wanting to take part has until August 7, 2020, to register their submissions. Judging will take place on September 9 to 11 at Melbourne Showgrounds.

There will then be a Virtual Awards Presentation on September 23 via live stream.

RASV CEO Brad Jenkins said he was excited the AIBA would be conducted later this year, with careful consideration placed on maintaining safety and integrity.

“The new September judging dates have been chosen to maximise participation from the international brewing community and will ensure the Australian International Beer Awards remains the pinnacle benchmarking opportunity for producers from Australia and abroad,” he said. 

“The health of judges, stewards and staff is the highest priority of the RASV and we will continue to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 health warnings.”

ENTER AIBA 2020 HERE

KEY DATES:

• Entries close: August 7
• Delivery to Hellmann Melbourne: August 10 to 28
• Judging: September 9 to 11
• Virtual Awards Presentation: September 23