Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards 2022

Entries open | Entries are now open for the Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards 2022 until 1 April. Judging takes place 9–13 May 2022, the awards are presented on 26 May.

The Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards, established in 1992, is one of the largest annual beer competitions in the world assessing both draught and packaged beer. In 2021, over 75 judges tasted 2,500 entries from 402 exhibitors, from 21 countries, and awarded 35 trophies.

Following a number of revisions to the US Brewers Association 2021 Edition Beer Style Guidelines, the 2022 edition sees the introduction of several new Classes, including ‘New Zealand-Style Pale Ale’ (Best International-Style Pale Ale) and ‘New Zealand-Style India Pale Ale’ (Best Traditional India Pale Ale), as well as Juicy or Hazy Pale Ale, Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale, and Experimental India Pale Ale, among others. For a complete list of Classes, please refer to ‘Sections and Classes of Entry’.

Class 10D - Black India Pale Ale has been replaced by Class 12F - American-Style Black Ale, and Class 11C - New England India Pale Ale has beem replaced by Class 11B - Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale.

With the addition of these new Classes, the Trophy for 'Best New World-Style Pale Ale’ has been renamed ‘Best Modern Pale Ale’, and the Trophy for ‘Best New World India Pale Ale’ has been renamed ‘Best Modern India Pale Ale’.

The +0.3% tolerance on Class 14 – Best Reduced / Low Alcohol has been reinstated, meaning the permitted upper limit on Reduced / Low Alcohol Ales and Lagers is now 3.8% ABV, however the stated ABV must not be more than 3.5% and must be as advertised. Entries in Class 14 will be audited for compliance. Entries exceeding 3.8% in ABV will be disqualified.

The lower limit of ABV for these styles remains 0.5%, the lowest alcohol by volume content that requires an ABV statement on the label as prescribed by the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.7.1.

To uphold the integrity of the competition and its results, each year Melbourne Royal conducts a physical and telephone audit of Australian International Beer Awards entrants and entries in the lead up to, during, and after judging, to ensure compliance with stated ABV, Styles, Annual Brewery Production, etc. This may include a lab analysis of ABV%. Entrants are encouraged to ensure the information they provide during the entry process is accurate.

Entrants are also reminded that exhibits must be entered in their correct Class according to style and ABV range. The style of beer stated on the commercial label must match the Class and ABV range entered; for example, if the style of beer stated on the commercial label is India Pale Ale, then the beer must be entered into an India Pale Ale Class and must be within the permitted ABV range for that style.

In 2022, the Australian International Beer Awards are partnering with the Brewers Guild of New Zealand and Hellmann Worldwide Logistics in Auckland to facilitate consolidated shipment direct to the Awards.

Further details can be found at https://www.melbourneroyal.com.au.