Announced today, the Independent Brewers Association has cancelled next year’s The Indies Independent Beer Awards and BrewCon conference, citing challenging economic conditions and difficulties securing sponsorship.
The decision follows on from an extremely difficult year for Australian craft beer that has seen more than 20 independent breweries enter into either voluntary administration or liquidation over the past 12 months.
According to CEO of the Independent Brewers Association Kylie Lethbridge, “even though the situation is not ideal, this hiatus gives us the opportunity to work with our stakeholders to reinvent The Indies to realise our commitment to pursue a more consumer-friendly program and to avoid duplication with other awards.”
To counter the news, the Independent Brewers Association simultaneously announced that - for the first time - the 2025 Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards will feature two trophies specifically celebrating independent breweries. This includes a trophy for the Champion Australian Independent Beer and a trophy for the Champion Australian Independent Brewery.
“When considering our alternate options, partnering with the Melbourne Royal AIBA’s made sense,” said Lethbridge.
“The Australian International Beer Awards are well respected as the largest annual beer competition in the world, where independent brewers are already acknowledged with medals and champion trophies; so while we shelve the Independent Beer Awards for a year, these two new trophies will ensure that quality independent beer is still celebrated in 2025.”
Established in 1993, the Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards are now the largest annual beer competition that assesses both draught and packaged beer, as well as design and media. Following this year’s competition, Chair of Judges Ian Kingham said he was particularly impressed by the quality of its 206 entrants in spite of economic pressures.
“This year’s competition has shown us that despite such a difficult time for the Australian beer industry our brewers are still producing world-class products and are doing so from all areas of the country,” he said.
“From regional areas like Bathurst and Geelong to city hubs in Sydney and Melbourne, the quality of beers and ciders being entered is phenomenal, and that is reflected not only in the champion winners announced tonight but also in the high percentage of medals awarded across the competition.”
Similarly, Justin Fox, Head Judge of the 2024 Independent Beer Awards, was also blown away by both the overall quality of the 1,028 entries.
“We are blown away this year at the quality of beers entered: 151 beers were awarded gold, and an incredible 87% of all beers entered received a medal,” he said.
“With the Olympics in full swing, this medal tally demonstrates that consumers across Australia can enjoy the highest calibre of independent beers on tap in venues and packed in fridges across the country.”
Senior Manager of Melbourne Royal Food & Beverage Awards Kirrily Waldhorn says that the Australian International Beer Awards will be a good fit for Australian independent breweries.
“Melbourne Royal are proud supporters of the Australian independent brewing industry and we are excited to judge the indies and present two trophies for the first time in 2025 as part of the Australian International Beer Awards,” she said.
Entries to the 2025 Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards formally open on 21 January 2025. For more information, click here.
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