The 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) have named Mountain Goat Brewery’s Bract to the Future as this year’s Champion Australian Beer.

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.

Bract to the Future also won Best Modern IPA, Best Modern India Pale Ale and took out Gold for Experimental India Pale Ale.

In a fitting full-circle moment, the award was presented to Mountain Goat on the night by Andrew Sutherland from Oast House Hops – part of the NZ Hops co-op and the grower behind the Hops-106 varietal itself.

This year’s standout breweries, cideries and producers from across the country and around the globe were announced at a Trophy presentation dinner on 14 May.

Victorian brewery, 2 Brothers Brewery, also celebrated a major milestone on the night, taking home the coveted Best Amber/Dark Ale trophy for its much-loved brew, Grizz. First entered into the AIBAs back in 2012, the beer has remained a consistent favourite over the years, previously earning a Gold medal in 2017 before finally claiming top honours in 2026.

Reflecting the continued growth and innovation within the non-alcohol and reduced-alcohol category, Love Shack Brewery was awarded Best Reduced/Low Alcohol Beer for its Midstrength Red Ale. The win comes after an especially challenging period for the brewery, which recently lost stock in the bushfires. In support of affected producers, the brewery (among others) was provided complimentary competition entries making the recognition an especially meaningful moment as it rebuilds.

Victorian favourite Stomping Ground Brewing Co was also recognised with the prestigious Champion Australian Independent Beer award, further cementing its reputation as one of the country’s leading independent breweries. Known for its consistent quality, innovation and community-driven approach to brewing, the win highlights the strength and diversity of Australia’s
independent beer scene on the global stage.

Meanwhile, internationally Weissbier, Zebra Craft Beer, China took home Champion International Beer and Heyday Beer Co, New Zealand picked up Best Design for the striking packaging of its Soul Cat Hazy IPA.

Melbourne Royal Senior Manager of Food & Beverage Awards Kirrily Waldhorn said: “Each year the standard continues to lift, and 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.

“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.”

Major trophy winners

● Champion Large Australian Brewery: Pirate Life Brewing, South Australia, Australia
● Champion Medium Australian Brewery: Hawkesbury Brewing Co, New South Wales, Australia
● Champion Small Australian Brewery: King Road Brewing Co, Western Australia, Australia
● Champion Australian Independent Brewery: King Road Brewing Co, Western Australia,
Australia
● Champion Victorian Brewery: Hawkers Brewery, Victoria, Australia
● Champion Cider or Perry Producer: Plenty Cider, Tasmania, Australia
● 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 include:
● Best Fruit Beer: Cherry Pick’n, Draught, Half Pace Brewing Company, New South Wales,
Australia
● 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,
Australia
● Best Modern IPA: Bract To The Future, Draught, Mountain Goat, Victoria, Australia
● Best Specialty Beer: Four Seasons Autumn 2026, Draught, Hawkers Brewery, Victoria,
Australia
● Best Cider: Berry DaHongPao Tea Cider, Packaged, Jun Yin (Beijing) Brand Management,
China
● Best Design: Soul Cat Hazy IPA, Heyday Beer Co, New Zealand

Consistency of Excellence trophies were also awarded to breweries with sustained quality across
styles and years including:

● Brick Lane Brewing Co, VIC, – Asylum
● TWØBAYS Brewing Co, VIC – IPA
● Brick Lane Brewing Co, VIC – Last Train Home
● Pirate Life Brewing, SA – Mosaic
● Reckless Brewing Company, NSW – Red IPA
● Brouwerij L. Huyghe, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium – Delirium Tremens
● Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeven, Tilburg, Netherlands – La Trappe Quadrupel