Brewery Eligibility
Australian Independent Breweries
Australian Independent Breweries and Contract Brewers that meet the IBA’s definitions as outlined in the Constitution are eligible to enter if they have produced beer for commercial sale.
You can find the definition here.
The IBA adopted a new Constitution on 30 April 2024. That Constitution changes the definition of Independence. Any existing IBA brewery members who will not be able to renew their brewery membership with the IBA due to the change in definition remain eligible to enter the Indies in 2024 – subject to all the other terms and conditions.
If you are unsure whether this change impacts you, please get in touch with us: [email protected]
Eligibility Compliance
If requested by the IBA, entrants may be required to provide proof of their production volume with an annual excise statement for the previous twelve (12) months. These statements are treated as confidential and will be destroyed following the competition.
Contract Brewers are required to acknowledge their status and where beer is produced in the entry process. Contract Brewers will not be required to provide an excise statement but may be asked for other information to confirm details of their status. Beers made under contract/manufactured by another entity are not eligible to win Champion Size or State Trophies however they are eligible to win Champion Independent Contract Brewer.
Beer entry eligibility
All beers entered into the 2024 Indies Awards must have been commercially available in Australia at some time in the 12 months prior to17 July 2024.
If requested by the IBA, entrants may be required to verify commercial availability by providing at least one stockist or outlet.
Beers must be entered into the correct style and class. See the Indies 2024 Style Guidelines for more details.
Package and draught versions of the same beer must be entered into the same style class.
Collaboration beer may only be entered by one party, which must be the party that has the greatest ownership (financial interest) of the beer. If financial interest is equally shared, the beer must be entered by the brewery where the beer was produced. If a beer was brewed in both/all locations, both/all breweries can enter their version. Location must be mentioned in the name of the entry.
Many styles require additional information in order to assist the proper judging of entries. Any additional information provided may be edited by the Competition Manager to ensure that it does not identify the beer being judged.
The beer must be categorised correctly based on its specific style. The style of beer mentioned on the commercial label should match the category for which it is being submitted for a trophy. This rule is in place to prevent consumer confusion and ensure that the beer’s classification accurately represents its characteristics. If a beer’s commercial name significantly deviates from the class it was entered into, for example, if a beer labelled as Pale Ale is submitted for the IPA trophy, it will not be eligible to win the trophy.
Product names or logos containing any statement, design, device or representation that is obscene, indecent, or likely to offend is prohibited and will be disqualified.
Entries are audited to ensure compliance with labelling and the other regulatory requirements, commercial availability, stated ABV, and style. Entries not complying with these requirements will be disqualified.
Beers that are sold as the same product but brewed at different locations by the same entrant must be entered under the brewery name and location. The beer can be entered in the same class and style, provided the location of the breweries are stated.
If an Australian independent brewer or contract brewer or beer entry does not meet the eligibility requirements above and has entered the Indies, the brewing company/brand and/or beer entry will be disqualified.
The IBA retains sole discretion to determine eligibility for the competition.