Award winning gluten free beers at the 2026 AIBAs: At the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards (AIBAs), the world's largest annual beer competition, TWØBAYS Brewing Co won seven medals (two gold, three silver, two bronze). Our gluten free beers were judged against The Brewers Asociations defined style guides. Golds went to TWØBAYS IPA and Rum Smuggler Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, and the IPA also earned a Consistency of Excellence award for winning gold three years in a row. For the full list of our awards, see the best gluten free beer in Australia: what the judges say.
Hot on the heels of our World Beer Cup silver for Rum Smuggler, we're raising a glass to more medals in Melbourne.
TWØBAYS at the AIBAs 2026: key results
- 7 medals: 2 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze
- Consistency of Excellence award: TWØBAYS IPA, after its third AIBA gold in three years
- Gold and Top 5 Specialty Beer: Rum Smuggler Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, shortlisted out of 120 entries
- A first: TWØBAYS' first year competing as a Medium-sized brewery
| Beer | Style | AIBA 2026 medal |
|---|---|---|
| TWØBAYS IPA | IPA | Gold + Consistency of Excellence |
| Rum Smuggler | Barrel Aged Imperial Stout | Gold + Top 5 Specialty Beer |
| Japanese Rice Lager | Rice Lager | Silver |
| Chocolate Porter | Porter | Silver |
| Pacific Ale | Pacific Ale | Silver |
| GFB Draught | Australian Draught | Bronze |
| GFB Aussie Ale | Australian Ale | Bronze |
Seven medals across seven different styles, from a crisp Aussie draught to a barrel aged imperial stout.
What are the Australian International Beer Awards?
The Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards (AIBAs) are the largest annual beer competition in the world. In 2026 there were 2,221 entries from 379 exhibitors. Beers are judged blind by experienced panels against international style guidelines. The full results are published by Melbourne Royal.
Can gluten free beer compete against regular beer?
Yes. The AIBAs are one of the clearest tests. Our beers competed in the Specialty Beer category, judged against style guides for each type of beer alongside barley and wheat beers from breweries of every size. Every medal was won against the full field, not a gluten free sub-category.
The standout example is Rum Smuggler Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. It won gold and was shortlisted in the top five Specialty Beers out of 120 entries, most of them barley-based. The same beer took silver in the Gluten-Free Beer category at the 2026 World Beer Cup.
Our brewers continue to prove the best gluten free beer isn't a compromise. It should stand up on flavour, quality and variety against any beer, gluten free or not.
Is TWØBAYS IPA the best gluten free IPA?
On the judges' record, it has a strong claim as one of the best IPAs full stop. TWØBAYS IPA won AIBA gold three years running, earning the Consistency of Excellence award. That award is reserved for beers that show sustained, repeatable excellence. The IPA went on to win gold at the 2026 New Zealand Beer Awards, where TWØBAYS was named Champion Australian Brewery.
It's brewed with millet and buckwheat, and hoopped with Galaxy and Mosaic which give it pine and fruity hop aromatics and a proper IPA bite. Shop TWØBAYS IPA.
What is gluten free beer?
Every TWØBAYS beer is brewed from naturally gluten free grains (millet, buckwheat and rice) in our dedicated gluten free brewery in Dromana, Victoria. Our beers are endorsed by Coeliac Australia. That's different from gluten "reduced" beers, which are made with barley and treated with an enzyme afterwards. There is strong evedence to say there's beers are not actually gluten reduced and are not safe for people who have a medical need to avoid gluten Are gluten reduced beers safe?
So when a TWØBAYS beer wins a medal, it's a beer coeliacs and gluten free drinkers can actually drink.
More of the TWØBAYS 2025–26 awards season
- GABS Hottest 100 2025: Pale Ale voted #58, the first gluten free beer ever in the Hottest 100
- World Beer Cup 2026: silver for Rum Smuggler, and the only Australian brewery to medal
- NZ Beer Awards 2026: Champion Australian Brewery, with three golds and a bronze
See every medal in one place: award-winning gluten free beer from TWØBAYS.
Frequently asked questions
How many medals did TWØBAYS win at the AIBAs 2026?
Seven: gold for IPA and Rum Smuggler; silver for Japanese Rice Lager, Chocolate Porter and Pacific Ale; bronze for GFB Draught and GFB Aussie Ale. TWØBAYS IPA also received a Consistency of Excellence award.
What is the AIBA Consistency of Excellence award?
It recognises a beer that has won gold at the Australian International Beer Awards three years in a row in the same pack format (either packaged or draught). TWØBAYS IPA received it in 2026.
Do gluten free beers compete against regular beers at the AIBAs?
TWØBAYS entered the Specialty Beer category and was judged alongside barley and wheat beers. Rum Smuggler reached the top five Specialty Beers out of 120 entries, most of them barley-based.
What is Rum Smuggler?
Rum Smuggler is a TWØBAYS Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, brewed with millet and rice and 100% gluten free. It won gold and was a top five Specialty Beer at the 2026 AIBAs, and took silver at the 2026 World Beer Cup.
What is the best gluten free beer?
On competition results, TWØBAYS is Australia's most awarded dedicated gluten free brewery of the past year, with 12 medals, two major honours and a GABS Hottest 100 ranking. See the full award list.
Cheers to the brew crew. 🍻
