UK Beers to Head Down Under for International Awards

MELBOURNE, Australia, January 5 - The Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) has kicked off its annual
search for the world's best beers, with UK brewers encouraged to enter the
second largest beer competition of its kind, joining the global battle for
beer supremacy.

The AIBA offer UK exhibitors the chance to test their skills against the
best brewers in the world. In 2009, a record 1,140 entries were received
including 22 entries from UK based brewers, a 36 percent increase on 2008.

Figures from the 2009 Awards reflect some of the biggest trends in the UK
beer market, notably the rise of smaller breweries and the increasing
popularity of ales, with more than half of entries submitted in the ale
category.

"Representative of local market trends, results from the 2009 AIBA show a
continued increase in the range and variety of beers available, particularly
from small and craft brewers," said Dr George Philliskirk, 2009 AIBA Judge
and Director, UK Beer Academy.

According to figures from the Campaign for Real Ale, the small breweries
market in the UK continues to boom, with 71 new outlets opening in the last
year to take the total to over 700. This growth in numbers has matched a
similar growth in sales, with members of the UK's Society of Independent
Brewers reporting a 20 per cent increase in 2008 sales*.

"Easily of an equal standard to similar competitions in the UK and US,
the AIBA provide consumers and industry with a benchmark of brewing
excellence, thanks to the inclusion of a broad representative of beers from
around the world, and a high standard of excellence across the board," said
Mr. Anthony Duckworth, 2004 AIBA judge and former Bass North Ltd Director
(UK).

The annual AIBA judge beers in a variety of classes. In addition to
awarding the coveted gold, silver and bronze medals in each class, judges
award 16 prestigious Championship Trophies, including a new Champion Gluten
Free Beer Trophy.

Presented annually by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and the
University of Ballarat, the event will culminate in a gala awards
presentation in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday, 20 May 2010.

Entries close 29 January 2010. For details visit www.beerawards.com.

* UK: JD Wetherspoon hails real ale revival, 11 September 2009

    For all media inquiries:   Cara Norden, Wrights -
                               +61-421-549-408
                               cnorden@wrights.com.au

Cara Norden, Wrights, +61-421-549-408, cnorden at wrights.com.au