In 2010, most of the major awards went overseas, so now it’s time for Aussie brewers to try and bring the trophies back home. Entries for the 2011 Australian International Beer Awards open next month (December 10), giving our homegrown brewers the chance to pit their beers against the finest from across the world.
This year’s AIBA received more than 1,170 entries from around the world, made up of 674 Australian and 495 international entries, and is looking to expand its international reach in 2011 with a focus on attracting entries from Canada and Asia.
AIBA Chairman, Mr Peter Manders said: âWith international entries increasing each year, the Australian International Beer Awards offers a unique opportunity for breweries to benchmark their products against the best in the world."
This year, the coveted Champion Exhibitor Trophy was awarded to Norwegian boutique brewery, Ní¸gne í – Det Kompromisslí¸se Bryggeri of Grimstad. Five awards went to breweries from the US, two to Norway, two to New Zealand and one each to Denmark and Germany. Four of the 15 awards went to Australian breweries: 2 Brothers, Hunter Beer Company, Feral and Redoak.
Conducted annually by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria in conjunction with the University of Ballarat, AIBA judging will be conducted at Melbourne Showgrounds in April 2011. The event will culminate in a gala awards presentation dinner at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibitions Centre, Melbourne, Australia on May 20.
Entry into the 2011 AIBA closes on January 21, 2011. For entry details, visit www.beerawards.com or contact the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria on (03) 9281 7444.
