Search Begins for Best Brew

By Amy Looker

The search for the world’s greatest beer is on following an announcement that entries are open for the 2010 Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA).

Currently the second-largest beer competition of its kind in the world, the 2009 AIBA attracted almost 1200 entries from 39 countries, pitting brewers both large and small against each other in front of the international and Australian judging panel.

AIBA chairman, Peter Manders, said that the competition’s internationally recognised reputation would push the bar even higher in 2010.

“Since its inception in 1993, the Australian International Beer Awards has grown in stature to become one of the most highly regarded awards of its industry, attracting a remarkable number of high quality and innovative beers from Australian and international breweries. No one can deny that beer is an essential part of the Australian way of life, with the Australian beer brewing industry generating almost $3 billion annually.

"The AIBA was established to reward excellence in the field of brewing and materially assists in the promotion of the brewing industry,” said Manders. “The awards recognise brewers that are influencing the evolution of the beer industry through innovation and provides brewers from around the world with a strong benchmark of industry excellence," he said.

Entries into the 2010 AIBA close on Friday, 29 January, 2010. Judging will take place in April at the Melbourne Showgrounds and University of Ballarat, leading up to a gala awards dinner hosted by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium on Thursday, 10 May.