Local and international judges today unite in search of the perfect combination of appearance, aroma, flavour and body, when judging of the Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) kicks off at Melbourne Showgrounds with more than 1,300 beers to be sipped, sniffed and swilled over the next three weeks during the world-renowned judging process.

In its 20th year, the AIBA has experienced a 10 per cent increase in entries with 1,352 beers from 39 countries competing for glory in one of the most highly regarded awards of its industry. The entries are up from 1,195 exhibits in 2011.

Highly esteemed international judges, Anders Kissmeyer (Denmark), Masayoshi Kaji and Shoji Kobotake (Japan) will join local beer experts to individually assess Australian and overseas ales, lagers, pilsners, porters and stouts entered into the 2012 Awards.

Awarded Best Active Master Brewer in the world in 2011, Anders Kissmeyer said, “When talking to my peers, be they international beer judges or brewers, it is clear that the AIBA is up there amongst the very best”.

Further highlighting the AIBA’s strong reputation abroad, 692 of the 1,352 entries were from international brewers with Australians continuing to show strong support, entering 660 brews.

Regarded as the pre-eminent showcase for premium beer and brewing excellence in the Asia Pacific region, the AIBA received entries from a record-high 258 exhibitors, with international entries coming from all corners of the globe, including Cambodia, Fiji, Lithuania, Puerto Rico and South Korea.

Ann Houlihan, Manager, Epicure Events at the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) said, “We have again received an outstanding number of entries for the 2012 AIBA from exhibitors across the world, recording an increase in not only the number of entries but exhibitors also”.

“Now in its 20th year, the increase in entries is testament to the AIBA’s global reputation as one of the most highly regarded and respected awards of its industry,” Ms Houlihan said.

The AIBA has grown in reach and stature since its inception, receiving entries from brewers worldwide and attracting some of the industry’s most respected judges, both locally and internationally.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the AIBA will this year host the first World of Beer event where beer lovers will be taken on a unique tour of the globe with the opportunity to taste the best local and international brews entered in the 2012 AIBA.

AIBA’s World of Beer – tastings from around the globe – will be held on Friday, 18 May from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at The Atrium, Federation Square. Tickets are available online at www.beerawards.com.au.

Presented annually by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria in conjunction with the University of Ballarat, the AIBA will culminate in an Awards Presentation Dinner at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia on Thursday, 17 May 2012.