A coveted AIBA trophy

The Australian International Beer Awards have kicked off 2010 with a final call for entries for the country’s premier beer competition.

The second largest international beer competition of its kind, the awards offer brewers from around the world the chance to test their skills against the industry’s best. In 2009, a record 1140 entries were received, including 685 entries from 102 local brewers, as well as entries from 39 countries including the US, UK, Ireland, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Chile, Poland, Cambodia, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bolivia and Puerto Rico. Last year’s record continued the steady increase in entries with even greater interest expected in 2010.

Local entries have long dominated the Awards, with 35 of the 58 trophies awarded over the event’s five-year history being awarded to local brewers. In 2009 alone, Australian beers took home nine trophies out of a total 13 awarded, with Western Australian breweries topping the leaderboard with six.

International brewers have continued to make their presence known however, with the USA, Germany, Brazil, Belgium and New Zealand last year making up the top five countries for both numbers of international beers and breweries entered. Despite having a lower number of entries, Honduras led the charge for award wins by taking home two trophies.

In line with industry trends, the 2010 Awards will see the introduction of the inaugural Champion Gluten Free Beer Trophy, awarded to the best gluten free or low gluten exhibit.

Presented annually by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria in conjunction with the University of Ballarat, the AIBA judging will be conducted at Melbourne Showgrounds and the University of Ballarat in April 2010. The event will culminate in a gala awards presentation dinner at Crown Palladium, Melbourne, Australia on Thursday May 20, 2010.

Entry into the 2010 AIBA is now open and closes on Friday January 29. For entry details visit www.beerawards.com or contact the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria on +61 (0)3 9281 7444.

KEY DATES:

Entries Close

29th January, 2010

Judging

Packaged

12th April – 16th April (Ballarat)

Draught & Packaging

26th April – 30th April (Melbourne)

Awards Night

Crown Palladium 20th May, 2010