Brewing Industry Int'l Awards entries are due August 12.

The event that is sometimes called the "Oscars of the brewing industry" is now open for entries. The call for entries for the 2005 Brewing Industry International Awards has commenced, with the entry deadline set for 12 August.

Judging for the awards, held for 119 years in Great Britain, will be held at Drinktec in Munich this year (September 12-17, 2005). The event will be held in a hall of its own at the Munich Trade Fair Center during the beverage exposition.

There have been a few changes in categories, organizers report. There is a return of the Non-Alcoholic and Low-Alcohol Beer category. There will be a class for Non-Alcoholic brews, and the Low-Alcohol Class will allow a range of 1.2 - 2.4% ABV. Entries for both classes in this category will be accepted in bottle, can, keg or cask.

The other change announced affects the Dark Beers category, where there have previously been two ABV% classes for draft beers, but only one for dark beers entered in bottle or can. There are now packaged classes for the range 2.5- 4.8% ABV and for 4.9-6.9%.

There will be a total of 81 Awards available from 27 classes at the 2005 Competitions. A trophy will be presented to each of the 9 Champion Beers, but no supreme champion is selected.

Entry Forms and full details of class structure and rules can be found on the BIIA web site at: www.brewingawards.org. Alternatively, brewers can call or fax for information: Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone].