MEDIA RELEASE

Immediate Release Monday, 13 January 2014

COMPETITION IS BREWING 2014 Australian International Beer Awards entries are open
Entries into the Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA), the largest competition of its type in the Asia Pacific region, are now open. Presented annually by the Royal Agricultural Society (RASV) in partnership with Federation University, AIBA is renowned for celebrating beer and brewing excellence. Brewers from Australia and around the world will have the opportunity to compete head-tohead for the highly prized AIBA trophies in a wide variety of categories including Best European Style Lager, Best Pilsner, Best Australian Style Pale Ale and Best Wheat Beer. For the first time, the Awards will include the AIBA Media Award, sponsored by Crafty Pint, to recognise Australias top media talent specialising in beer and brewing. Crafty Pint creator James Smith said that quality, insightful and passionate coverage of today's exciting beer world plays a crucial role in boosting its credibility and popularity. I'm delighted to be working with the Australian International Beer Awards to create a trophy that recognises the important role media play in the beer community and it will hopefully encourage writers, bloggers, filmmakers and reporters to reach for new heights in their work," said Mr Smith. In 2013, the AIBA attracted a record 1,480 entries from more than 230 brewers in 35 countries around the world reinforcing its position as Australias premier beer awards. Major awards went to Alpha Pale Ale draught brewed by Matilda Bay Brewing Company from Victoria, Australia, and Oud Beersel Oude Geuze brewed by Oud Beersel from VlaamsBrabant, Belgium, who took home the titles of 2013 Champion Australian Beer and 2013 Champion International Beer, respectively. RASV CEO Mark OSullivan said that through AIBA the RASV is committed to providing an international awards program to showcase the highest quality beer in the Asia Pacific region. The Australian International Beer Awards is strongly supported within the brewing community, and their feedback and input ensures that the competition reflects the modern landscape of the brewing industry. It provides brewers with an opportunity to benchmark their beers against international industry standards and aims to create greater consumer awareness of the quality and diversity of beer styles available in Australia and internationally.

In 2014 we are delighted to be collaborating with Crafty Pint to add a media trophy to our program that will recognise the exceptional standard of reporting by Australian media championing our local beer and brewing industry, Mr OSullivan said. Judging for the 2014 AIBA will take place in Melbourne, from Monday, 28 April to Friday, 2 May. Award-winning brewer and the Chair of the Craft Beer Association (CBA), Brad Rogers, will return for his second year as the AIBA Chief Judge accompanied by industry experts from around the world. Winners of the 2014 AIBA will be announced on Thursday, 22 May as part of Good Beer Week. Entries to the 2014 AIBA close on Friday, 14 February. For more information on the AIBA please visit www.rasv.com.au/beer or connect on Twitter (@AIBA2014) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/AustralianInternationalBeerAwards). [ENDS] Notes to editors About the Australian International Beer Awards: The Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) champions beer and brewing excellence in Australia and around the world. As one of the best brewing competitions in the world and the second largest of its kind, the AIBA is renowned for showcasing and celebrating the highest quality beer. In 2013, the competition attracted 1,480 entries from 35 countries, with 27 trophies awarded by judges from Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, China, Japan, Norway and Belgium. The AIBA is conducted annually in Melbourne, Australia by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) in partnership with the University of Ballarat.

For media enquiries and images, please contact Wrights on behalf of the RASV: Vanessa Hollidge of Wrights on 0405 277 562 or at vhollidge@wrights.com.au Erin Mitchell of Wrights on 0406 151 340 or at emitchell@wrights.com.au