Australian International Beer Awards cancelled due to COVID-19

AIBA is the largest annual beer competition in the world assessing both draught and packaged beer

The AIBA attracts around 2,600 entries from more than 400 breweries in 26 countries

Due to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the social distancing measures in place, The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) has made the decision to cancel the 2020 Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA).

"In making this decision, the health of our judges and volunteers has remained the priority. With a large reliance on the international beer community to support the AIBA with entries and judges, it was not possible to stage an international award program during the current global health crisis."

RASV Chief Executive Officer, Brad Jenkins, was disappointed to make this announcement but ensuring the health and safety of the officials, exhibitors and staff was paramount when reaching this decision.

“When considering the current global COVID-19 pandemic, the health of our judges and volunteers has been at the forefront of this decision to cancel the 2020 Australian International Beer Awards. The Australian International Beer Awards are reliant on the input of the international and interstate beer and brewing community for both entries and providing experts for the judging panel. With the current restrictions in place in the State of Victoria and across the world, it wasn’t possible to confidently ensure that we could conduct the Awards this year,” said Mr Jenkins.

Commencing as a small domestic program in 1987, the AIBA has since grown into the largest annual beer competition in the world assessing both draught and packaged beer and attracting more than 2500 entries from more than 400 breweries in 26 countries.

"The RASV greatly appreciates and values the support and understanding of the brewing industry and looks forward to the Australian International Beer Awards returning bigger and better in 2021."