Media Release

Competition is brewing:

2014 Australian International Beer Awards entries are open

Matilda Bay’s Scott Vincent receives the 2013 Trophy for Best Australian Beer

Entries into the Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA), the largest competition of its type in the Asia Pacific region, are now open.

Presented annually by the Royal Agricultural Society (RASV) in partnership with Federation University, AIBA is renowned for celebrating beer and brewing excellence.

Brewers from Australia and around the world will have the opportunity to compete head-to-head for the highly prized AIBA trophies in a wide variety of categories includingBest European Style Lager, Best Pilsner, Best Australian Style Pale AleandBest Wheat Beer.

For the first time, the Awards will include the AIBAMedia Award, sponsored by Crafty Pint, to recognise Australia’s top media talent specialising in beer and brewing.

Crafty Pint creator James Smith said that quality, insightful and passionate coverage of today’s exciting beer world plays a crucial role in boosting its credibility and popularity.

“I’m delighted to be working with the Australian International Beer Awards to create a trophy that recognises the important role media play in the beer community and it will hopefully encourage writers, bloggers, filmmakers and reporters to reach for new heights in their work,” said Mr Smith.

In 2013, the AIBA attracted a record 1,480 entries from more than 230 brewers in 35 countries around the world reinforcing its position as Australia’s premier beer awards.

Major awards went toAlpha Pale Aledraught brewed by Matilda Bay Brewing Company from Victoria, Australia, andOud Beersel Oude Geuzebrewed by Oud Beersel from Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium, who took home the titles of2013 Champion Australian Beerand2013 Champion International Beer, respectively.

RASV CEO Mark O’Sullivan said that through AIBA the RASV is committed to providing an international awards program to showcase the highest quality beer in the Asia Pacific region.

“The Australian International Beer Awards is strongly supported within the brewing community, and their feedback and input ensures that the competition reflects the modern landscape of the brewing industry.

“It provides brewers with an opportunity to benchmark their beers against international industry standards and aims to create greater consumer awareness of the quality and diversity of beer styles available in Australia and internationally.

“In 2014 we are delighted to be collaborating with Crafty Pint to add a media trophy to our program that will recognise the exceptional standard of reporting by Australian media championing our local beer and brewing industry,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

Judging for the 2014 AIBA will take place in Melbourne, from Monday, 28 April to Friday, 2 May.

Award-winning brewer and the Chair of the Craft Beer Association (CBA), Brad Rogers, will return for his second year as the AIBA Chief Judge accompanied by industry experts from around the world.

Winners of the 2014 AIBA will be announced on Thursday, 22 May as part of Good Beer Week.

For more information on the AIBA please visit www.beerawards.com or connect on Twitter at @AIBA2014.