World Beard and Moustache Championships 2013 (+video)

Justin Kellermeister in the category full beard freestyle.Photo / AP

Hundreds of competitors from 20 countries gathered in Germany for the World Beard and Moustache Championships.

Entrants from around the globe travelled to the southern town of Leinfelden-Echterdingen, outside Stuttgart, to compete for the best facial hair in a range of four categories and 18 sub-categories, including moustaches, chin beards, whiskers, full beards and trendy bears.

New Zealand competitor Nick Brown decided to enter his big, bushy brown beard after reading about the competition online about a year ago.

Kiwi entrant, Nick Thomas.Photo / AP

"I thought I'd come and have a look, maybe grow a beard and see what happens."

The championships were officially watched by the German Association of Beard Clubs and all entrants were subject to a pre-screeing to determine their beard category by a separate jury.

American contestants proved to be the biggest beard fans as Beard Team USA scooped nine trophies.

Armin Bielefeldt of the US.Photo / AP

Organiser Juergen Burkhardt said the turnout was much better than expected.

Just in time for Movember. These creative beard wearers can bring in some inspiration for your moustache grooming.

- INDEPENDENT