IBA extends deadline for entries

Judging in '13: panels entirely of professional brewers

Seasonal demands squeezes time available to entrants

Recognising that brewers everywhere are coping with seasonal demands for their finest products, the International Brewing Awards are extending their deadline for entries to 9th January.

Ruth Evans, director of Brewing Technology Services, which organises the event, said that there have been numerous requests from both brewers and cider makers to have more time to submit entries.

“We’ve seen the number of entries climb over the last couple of months as the deadline approaches,” said Evans. “What’s especially pleasing is the growing reach of the awards, which endorses our belief that their reputation is growing globally from one competition to the next.”

To date entries have been received from five continents, according to the IBA organisers including a number without lengthy brewing traditions, as well as new entrants to market alongside long-established brewers and cider makers.

The cider competitions were reintroduced to the last edition of the biannual IBA, in 2013. Evans said, “The fact that cider makers from around the world want to benchmark their product at this competition speaks volumes for the reputation it has established in just two years.”

Beers and ciders entered into the competition have to be in Burton-on-Trent, England by 30th January to be ready for judging, which is scheduled for 10th-12th February with the medal winners announced on 13th February.