The International Beer Challenge 2024 (IBC) is organised by Agile Media Ltd, publishers of Drinks Retailing. The company address is Agile Media Ltd, Jubilee House, 56-58 Church Walk, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9AN, UK

By entering the IBC the entrant will be deemed to have read and understood these rules and be bound by them. These rules include any instructions set out with the IBC entry process.

1. ENTRIES

• The IBC is open to anyone who produces, markets or sells beers from any country, including brewers, producers, distributors, agents, PR agencies, independent retailers, retail chains, supermarkets and wholesalers.
• All beers must be entered with the permission of the brand owners.
• All beers entered must be commercially available for retail, and in sufficient quantities for it to be reasonable to expect them to be available until at least late 2024.
• No specially prepared samples will be accepted.
• The brand name you enter will be published in International Beer Challenge magazine, online at www.internationalbeerchallenge.com and on certificates. The IBC takes no responsibility for brands spelt incorrectly during the booking process
• Please adhere to the deadlines set out on this website. Late entries may not be accepted.
• Entries will only be accepted by either completing the full entry process online along with the payment of the appropriate entry fee.
• There is no limit to the number of products that may be submitted but each product is a separate entry and subject to a separate entry fee.
• Any entry which is incomplete, late and which does not otherwise comply with these rules, will be deemed invalid.
• The IBC reserves the right to not allow entry for products containing racist, sexist, homophobic or other labelling that is deemed inappropriate.
  

2. SAMPLES AND SHIPPING

• Each bottle sample you send must be fully supported with the correct documentation showing that UK Duty has either been paid, or is due to be paid under total duty suspension, before it is released onto the UK market.
• It is an offence under UK law to avoid payment of UK Duty on the samples you send to us for the IBC and it is your responsibility to pay any duties due.
• Entrants are responsible for all shipping costs. Please refer to the shipping instructions on our website and on your email confirmation.
• Entrants are responsible for UK Duty, Customs duty, taxes or other costs incurred on samples entering the UK. These are payable even though the samples are not for commercial use.
• Any costs that the organiser incurs in respect of the entry will be re-invoiced to the entrant and must be paid immediately.
• Products must be securely packaged. The organiser takes no responsibility for products damaged in transit.
  
• Products must be in date for consumption on 13th September 2024.
• Products will be retained by the Organiser and will not be returned.
  

3. REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS

• Entries may be withdrawn any time up to 14th June 2024 in which case the entry fee will be returned subject to an administration charge of 50%. After this date, entry fees are non-refundable.
• Alternatively you may replace the product with another product at no additional cost.
• Duplicated entries will not be refunded. Please check that your agent or producer has not already entered the same brand.

4. PAYMENTS

• Payment terms for invoices are strictly 15 days (or prior to judging if sooner).
• Please note that if payment or proof of payment is not received prior to judging then products will be removed from the competition. Agile Media Ltd takes no responsibility for the returning of any samples received on this basis.

5. JUDGING

• The products will be blind tasted by an expert and independent panel of judges selected by the organiser.
• The judges will give the products a score accordingly. The score is intended as a guide for judges only in determining which medal should be awarded. Bronze, Silver and Gold medals will be awarded according to a consensus reached by the judging panel. The best of the best will be awarded Trophy medals.
• The Organiser reserves the right to move products into the appropriate category, if deemed to be incorrectly entered.
• The judges’ decision on all matters concerning the competition is final and legally binding. No correspondence will be entered into.
• The organisers reserve the right to alter the judging panel and categories without prior notice to entrants.
• In all respects, the agreed judging decision is final.

6. RESULTS

• Winners will be notified of results by email using contact details provided during the entry process.
• All results notified to winners are embargoed until the publishing date outlined in the notification email.
• A list of medallists will appear in Drinks Retailing magazine and on www.internationalbeerchallenge.co.uk once judging is complete. Product images may also be used.
• Should the entrant wish to withdraw the result from being published, they must notify the IBC within the stated time period.
• Participants consent to their names and photographs being used in any competition publicity unless otherwise requested in writing.

7. MEDAL ARTWORK

• Any award winner may publicise its award provided the year in which it was won is stated.
• Those awarded medals may publicise their award in association with the relevant product provided the year in which it was won is stated.
• Those awarded are granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the International Beer Challenge medal logo in connection with its own award for a period of 3 years from the date it is issued.