It’s time for brewers to put their beers to the test, with submissions opening today for the Australian International Beer Awards. This year the country’s largest beer awards celebrates its 20th anniversary and hopes to attract the biggest number of entries yet. Last year, almost 1,200 beers from 34 countries were entered and this year a number of new categories have been introduced to keep pace with the fast-changing beer world. Among the new categories are Champion Large Australian Brewery and Champion Small Australian Brewery, plus Champion Large and Small International Brewery. With a handful of new beer trophies introduced too, there are now 24 titles up for grabs.
The changes have come about following the appointment of an advisory group drawn from all quarters of the Australian beer industry, which has been meeting regularly since the last awards in May 2011. The committee features Bill Taylor of Lion Nathan, Brad Rogers of Stone & Wood, Chris Badenoch of Josie Bones, Leif Ryan of Phoenix Beers, Peter Aldred from the University of Ballarat and AIBA Chief Judge, Peter Manders.
Ann Houlihan, manager of Epicure Events at the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, says: âNow in its twentieth year, the Australian International Beer Awards is one of the most highly regarded awards in the industry, attracting incredibly high quality and inventive beers from Australian and international breweries.
âWith the Australian International Beer Awards growing in reach and prominence each year, the introduction of the new advisory group will ensure the awards maintain relevance to the Australian and International brewing industry."
As in 2011, the judging panel will include a number of prominent overseas judges, with judging taking place at the Melbourne Showgrounds in April and results to be announced at a Gala Dinner on May 17. The dinner is one of the keys events in the 2012 Good Beer Week festival, which runs across venues in Melbourne and Victoria from May 12 to 19.
Submissions for entries to the awards close on February 10, 2012. Full details on how to enter, as well as information on the new categories and how the judging will be carried out, can be found here. Good luck, everyone!
For last year’s winners, head here.
The 2011 Judging Process
Beer Awards from The White Tree on Vimeo.
The 2011 Awards Dinner
TheCraftyPint - Australian International Beer Awards from The Post Project on Vimeo.
