Australian International Beer Awards return in 2021 with new categories and record Australian entries

The annual Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) conducted by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) is the largest annual competition in the world judging both draught and packaged beer.

This year the AIBA attracted an incredible 2,502 entries from 402 breweries in 21 countries, including 110 new exhibitors as the Awards celebrate 29 years of providing a benchmarking platform for breweries of all sizes, globally.

As Australian brewing continues its incredible rise, the Awards received the highest number of Australian entries it has ever received (1781 entries). 35 trophies will be awarded at the AIBA Presentation Dinner to be held on Thursday 20 May in the fabulous new Victoria Pavilion at Melbourne Showgrounds.

New for 2021, a trophy will be awarded to the Champion Victorian Brewery. The award will be judged on the brewery’s top four scoring beers, at least one of which must be a gold medal-winning exhibit. This year saw growth in the categories of Best Traditional IPA and Best Modern IPA, along with a solid 25 entries in the new category of Best Non-Alcohol Beer.

Judging will take place over four days on 11 – 14 May at Melbourne Showgrounds with 67 expert judges invited to assess the worlds best beer. With the health of AIBA judges, stewards and staff remaining the highest priority, this year the AIBA will utilise highly experienced Victorian-based judging panels and stewarding staff. Judges in 2021 will include Ben Kraus (Bridge Road Brewers), Jayne Lewis (Two Birds Brewing), Justin Fox (Hawke’s Brewing Co.), Kirrily Waldhorn (Beer Diva), Tina Panoutsos (Carlton & United Breweries), Warren Pawsey (Little Creatures) and Steve "Hendo' Henderson (Rockstar Brewing) and many others.

RASV CEO Brad Jenkins said: "The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria is thrilled to receive such a wide range of support for the 2021 Australian International Beer Awards. To have such strong numbers of Australian and International entries this year tells us that despite the many challenges of the past 12 months, the Australian International Beer Awards continue to provide a valuable benchmarking and networking opportunity for brewers from around the world."

Tickets to the AIBA Presentation Dinner are on sale now until Sunday 16 May and are available for purchase on the RASV website.