Entries have closed for the 2011 Australian International Beer Awards and Victoria has already walked away with a prize.

AIBA International Judges, (left to right): Mr Isara Khaola-iead (Thailand), Dr, Frtiz Briem (Germany), Mr Sam Shrimpton (NZ) and Mr Simon Jackson (UK)

The state, which is currently Australia’s craft beer hotspot, leads the entry stakes with 202 Victorian beers entered – 72 more than the next most prolific state, New South Wales, which has 130 entries. Entries from other state include 126 from Western Australia, 64 from South Australia, 50 from Tasmania, 35 from Queensland, and 16 from the Australian Capital Territory.

The 19th annual Australian International Beer Awards sees a total of more than 1,100 of the world’s finest lagers, ales, stouts and porters vie for honours. Breweries from a total of 33 countries have entered beers, including beers from Germany, Belgium, Japan, Brazil and Laos.

With 17 Champion Trophies on offer including a new Champion Low Alcohol Beer award, the Australian International Beer Awards is recognised as the largest showcase of beer and brewing excellence in the Asia Pacific region and is conducted by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria in conjunction with the University of Ballarat each year.

AIBA Chairman, Mr Peter Manders, said the awards, which celebrate world class brewing and beer craftsmanship on an international stage, grow in reach each year.

“The truly international competition has seen an increase in both the South-East Asian and Scandinavian regions; a 15 per cent increase from United States breweries; and a first time entry from a Kazakhstani brewery. On home soil, entries have increased from West Australian and Tasmanian breweries,” Mr Manders said.

The competition sees a total of more than 550 international entries and a strong 600 entries from Australian breweries. Next to Australia, the largest number of entries came from the US with 218 beers entered followed by New Zealand with 61, Brazil with 41 and Germany with 34.

Winners will be announced at a dinner in Melbourne on 20 May.