In a fitting move, the winners of Champion LargeAustralian Brewery and Champion Small Australian Brewery from AIBA 2012 have been asked to create the new Collaborator brew for the 2013 awards ceremony.

Feral Brewing’s (WA) Brendan Varis and Richard Watkins of Wig and Pen Brewery and Tavern (ACT) will be brewing the limited edition creation in Canberra ahead of its debut at the AIBA Presentation Dinner on Thursday, 23 May.

This year the brew will also be on tap at the Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular.

While the beer was initially brewed in 2012 for the 20th anniversary of the AIBA, the Australian Brown Ale (by Varis and Andrew Ong of 2 Brothers Brewery) was such a huge success that new Chief Judge Brad Rogers has instituted Collaborator as an annual occurrence from 2013 onward.

“The AIBA is thrilled to have two fantastic Aussie brewers in Brendan and Richard on board to brew the AIBA 2013 Collaborator,” says Rogers. “They were both worthy winners last year and together they will develop an exciting beer for the AIBA Presentation Dinner.”

AIBA 2013 Judging will be held from 8-12 April 2013 at Melbourne Showgrounds.

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