The Board of the Craft Beer Industry Association is pleased to announce that the Association will be embarking on an exciting new endeavour in 2016. From next year the Australian Craft Brewers Conference and the Craft Beer Awards will be combined into a week-long event celebrating Australian craft beer.

“As a national representative body, it has always been the CBIA’s intention to take the Conference and the Awards ‘on the road’, to create maximum opportunity for our members in all parts of Australia to attend from time to time,” said Peta Fielding, CBIA Chair.

“The timing of other industry events in 2016 presented a number of challenges to the Australian Craft Brewers Conference proceeding in May, so after consultation with a number of stakeholders – and in particular a survey of our members, which provided overwhelming support for the idea – we have decided to progress our plans and make the leap next year.”

“We would like to acknowledge Melbourne’s Good Beer Week and Sydney Craft Beer Week for welcoming the CBIA events to date as part of their programs and we look forward to moving the celebration further around the country.”

Details for the 2016 week of events are yet to be confirmed however the rough timing will be July or August 2016 – and for the first time, in a city beyond Melbourne or Sydney.

The CBIA will be working with local breweries, venues and beer enthusiasts to create a fringe festival event to complement the Conference and Awards and to showcase all the craft brewing talent that will be in town for the official events.

An announcement of the timing and host city will be made in December.