OH to be a beer judge … More than 1300 beers from across the globe will be sipped, sniffed and swilled as part of the arduous judging process for the Australian International Beer Awards at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
Judging for the annual event started last week and with a record number of entries is scheduled to continue until the first week in May.
In their 20th year, the awards have had a 10per cent increase in entries with 1352 beers from 39countries competing to be voted as the overall winner.
International judges Anders Kissmeyer from Denmark, and Masayoshi Kaji and Shoji Kobotake from Japan have been flown in to help local beer experts to assess Australian and overseas ales, lagers, pilsners, porters and stouts entered in the awards.
Kissmeyer, named best active master brewer in the world in 201, said the Australian awards had a great reputation.
“When talking to my peers, be they international beer judges or brewers, it’s clear that the Australian awards are up there among the very best.” This year, 692 of the 1352 entries are from international brewers from as far afield as Cambodia, Fiji, Lithuania, Puerto Rico and South Korea. The awards are presented by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria with the University of Ballarat. Winners will be named at a public presentation dinner at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on May 17.
The public has been invited to taste the beers from 4-8pm on Friday, May 18 at The Atrium, Federation Square. Cost, $40. For details and bookings, visit beerawards.com.
