The winners of the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) have been announced, after receiving more than 2200 entries from 381 breweries across 22 countries. Victoria’s Mountain Goat Brewery took home the prestigious Champion Australian Beer award.
Crafted using the experimental Hops-106 varietal from the NZ Hops Bract Program, the winning drop forms part of an exclusive global trial, with only 60 breweries worldwide selected to work with the hop as part of its commercialisation process to determine whether the varietal progresses to full commercial release.
Melbourne Royal F&B awards senior manager, Kirrily Waldhorn, said the standard continues to lift every year.
“2026 was no exception – the quality of entries this year was exceptional, with some truly standout examples of innovation, craftsmanship and creativity across the board,” said Waldhorn.
“To be recognised at this level is a reflection of the passion and precision driving our brewing community, and a reminder of just how strong Australian and international beer continues to be on the world stage.”
This year, to provide a truly international platform for producers to showcase their craft and benchmark against the best in the world, the AIBAs introduced eight new beer styles and updated existing classes to celebrate innovation, diversity and international brewing standards.
Winners highlights included:
Champion Trophy Winners
- Champion Australian Beer: Bract To The Future, Draught Mountain Goat, Victoria
- Champion International Beer: Weissbier, Packaged Zebra Craft Beer, China
- Champion Australian Independent Beer: Stomping Ground Brewing Co, Victoria
- Champion Large Australian Brewery: Pirate Life Brewing, South Australia
- Champion Medium Australian Brewery: Hawkesbury Brewing Co, New South Wales
- Champion Small Australian Brewery: King Road Brewing Co, Western Australia
- Champion Australian Independent Brewery: King Road Brewing Co, Western Australia
- Champion Victorian Brewery: Hawkers Brewery, Victoria
- Champion Cider or Perry Producer: Plenty Cider, Tasmania
- Champion Large International Brewery: Garage Project, Wellington, New Zealand
- Champion Medium International Brewery: COEDO Brewery, Saitama, Japan
- Champion Small International Brewery: Altitude Brewing, Otago, New Zealand
- Best New Exhibitor: Froth Craft Brewery, Western Australia, Australia
Category Highlights
- Best Reduced/Low Alcohol Beer: Midstrength Red Ale, Draught Love Shack Brewing Co, Victoria
- Best Fruit Beer: Cherry Pick'n, Draught, Half Pace Brewing Company, New South Wales
- Best Non-Alcohol Beer: All Day Hazy Non-Alcoholic IPA, Packaged Bach Brewing, Auckland, New Zealand
- Best Traditional IPA: NZ Cold IPA, Draught, King Road Brewing Co, Western Australia
- Best Modern IPA: Bract To The Future, Draught, Mountain Goat, Victoria
- Best Specialty Beer: Four Seasons Autumn 2026, Draught, Hawkers Brewery, Victoria
- Best Cider: Berry DaHongPao Tea Cider, Packaged, Jun Yin (Beijing) Brand Management, China
- Best Design: Soul Cat Hazy IPA, Heyday Beer Co, New Zealand
The full list of winners is available online at melbourneroyal.com.au.
