Belgian Beer "Hard to Find" Pack

Belgian Beer "Hard to Find" Pack

Rochfort 8 - NEW!
Rochfort 10 - NEW!
Gouden Draak - NEW!
Delerium Tremens
Pauwel Kwak
Orval
Lucifer
Gouden Classic
Leffe Cuvee
Westmalle Double
Westmalle Tripel
Hoegaarden Grand Cru

Any one that knows Belgian Beers, and also Belgian Beers available in NZ will know this is a hard to find selection.

If you are interested in buying specific Belgian Beers direct please either make a note on your order or email luke@realbeer.co.nz

I like beer

Rob Greig is the Director of Judging. He's "kneedeep in kilometres of gas lines and beer lines and heaven knows what else" as he enthuses about his very diverse world.

And are the beers as exotic as their coutries of origin? "Oh goodness me, exotic is not the word," replies the beer judge, "there are actually 39 different classes." He continues with the example of chocolate cherry stout: "(it's) a little like a Cherry Ripe in a bottle," he explains. What's more, he likes it.

Full Story

Monk’s Habit baptised as champion ale ‘in a class of its own’

Steam Brewing Company head brewer Luke Nicholas said the latest swag of trophies and medals were official recognition that the company continued to operate on a policy of brewing “quality rather than quantity.”

“You could say that Monk’s Habit leaves other beers without a prayer,” smiled Luke Nicholas. “This newest collection of plaudits for Monk’s Habit verify this beer as a true New Zealand great. No other beer has won as many trophies and medals at the New Zealand International Beer Awards over the years.

Full Press Release

Steam Brewing Company have a regularly updated Blog - Click Here

Announcing BrewNZ’s celebration of great beer on 28-31 July

Celebrating great beer has never been more fun with the fourth BrewNZ on again in Wellington in July this year. Brewers nationwide will be showcasing their best brews at a range of public tasting events and at the BrewNZ Beer Awards judging.

The public will be invited to attend the Great New Zealand Beer Show at the Wellington Town Hall on July 29 and 30. Showcasing a wide range of New Zealand and international beers offered with delicious food and live music, the show offers a great day out for food and beer lovers alike.

Full Press Release

Monteith's Winter Ale

New Winter Ale from Monteith’s

Developed using a combination of five premium malts, with hints of spicy cinnamon resulting in a rich, bold malty flavour and velvety smoothness, Monteith’s Winter Ale is full in taste. Its cinnamon flavour provides warming characteristics and its creators, the Monteith’s brewers, believe it’s a perfect balance for the Green Bullet, Super Alpha and Pacific Hallertau hops which have been used in the brew to help exude its spicy, yet flora, aroma.

Full Press Release

Silver award for Marlborough beer

More than just fancy packaging, Marlborough's Moa Beer in a champagne bottle has won silver at the New Zealand International Beer Awards in Nelson.

The Moa Brewing Company, brainchild of Marlborough winemaker Josh Scott, is only a year and a half old but is producing a northern Belgian style pilsner making headway in the boutique beer market.

Full Story - Marlborough Express

Beer with alpine bite NZ's best

The Queenstown-brewed beer with a "bite like mountain air" has been named New Zealand's best draught beer.

Dux de Lux's McNeills Cottage Brewery picked up the award for its new Alpine Ale at the New Zealand International Beer Awards in Nelson on Friday.

Full Story - The Southland Times

NZ International Beer Awards - RESULTS

2005 NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL BEER AWARDS RESULTS

Full list of results HERE

CLASS 1 NEW ZEALAND DRAUGHT
Class Winner - Alpine Ale, Dux de Lux

CLASS 2 NEW ZEALAND LAGER
Class Winner - Buxom Blonde, Cock n Bull

CLASS 3 NEW ZEALAND PREMIUM LAGER
Class Winner - Premium Lager, Harrington’s Brewery Christchurch

CLASS 4 INTERNATIONAL GOLDEN LAGER STYLES
Class Winner - Singha Lager Beer, Boon Rawd Brewery

CLASS 5 DARK BEER STYLES
Class Winner - Mikes Mild Ale, White Cliffs Brewery

CLASS 6 STOUTS / PORTERS
Class Winner - Russian Imperial Stout, Rogue Ales

CLASS 7 PALE ALES
Class Winner - Monks Habit, Cock n Bull

CLASS 8 AMBER BEERS
Class Winner - Harvest Pilsner, Harringtons Brewery Nelson

CLASS 9 STRONG BEERS
Class Winner - Samuel Adams Double Bock, Boston Beer Company

CLASS 10 WHEAT (OR OTHER NON BARLEY) BEERS
Class Winner - Wakatipu Wheat, Dux de Lux

CLASS 11 FRUIT/SPICED/HERB/WOOD BEERS
Class Winner - Big John Reserve, Harringtons Brewery Christchurch

CLASS 12 NON OR LOW ALCOHOL BEER
Class Winner - Boag's Premium Light Lager, J.Boag & Son Brewing Ltd

CLASS 13 FESTIVAL OR EXPERIMENTAL BEER
Class Winner - Samuel Adams Utopias, Boston Beer Company

COLIN HARRISON MEMORIAL TROPHY
Winner - Alpine Ale, Dux de Lux

Southern beers share favour of fans

Two global beer companies wielding homegrown Southern brands have taken top honours in a consumer survey of New Zealand's favourite products.

The shared limelight in this week's ACNielsen survey seems to show there is a market for both Speight's Southern man and Monteith's refined beer connoisseur.

Full Story - NZ Herald

Forget the survey, they're drinking our beer here

Drink Speights, keep your mates –- except in the Waikato where the local drop is tops, no matter what a nationwide consumer brands survey says about that southern beer. JUSTINE TURNER reports.

They prefer Speights in other parts –- but Waikato Draught rules around here.

Full Story - Waikato Times

Post Office to Perfect Pint

Built in 1912, the old Ponsonby post office and historic site will soon be open for business trading as New Zealand’s first ‘cosmopolitan’ styled Belgian Beer Café and serving an array of Belgian and European beers and gastronomic delicacies.

Ponsonby Belgian Beer Café (or ‘the Ponsonby’) will open on 28 April following a million dollar fit-out which recreates the ambiance and atmosphere of a cosmopolitan Flemish pub straight out of Brussels.

FULL PRESS RELEASE

BBC Logo

Speight’s Voted ‘Top of the Pops’

Speight's scanned a whopping $ 37.5m in supermarkets for 2004 (measured on the 52 weeks to 2 Jan 2005), this was over $ 10m more than the second biggest alcohol brand, Lindauer (Source: ACNielsen).

FULL PRESS RELEASE

DB imports Budvar

Discerning New Zealand drinkers will be able to enjoy a taste of the Czech Republic following DB Breweries' announcement that it is importing Budejovicky Budvar to New Zealand.

Budejovicky Budvar brand manager, Ben Shaw, says Budejovicky Budvar will be available for trade purchase from 1 June and is a welcome addition to DB Breweries' strong premium beer portfolio.

Budejovicky Budvar will be available in selected bars, supermarkets and specialist liquor stores from 1 June and has a recommended retail price of $ 6.50 - $ 7.50 per bottle Budejovicky Budvar will be available at a recommended retail price of $ 13.99 - $ 14.99 for a six-pack.

FULL PRESS RELEASE

Speight's brewery a prime attraction

Speights can tell you how its various beers can be added rewardingly to a Belgian stew called Carbonnade Flamande and to a chocolate mousse, make a good marinade for beef and pork and also a
great beer batter.

Full Article TVNZ

Dutch brewing giant appoints new CEO

Dutch brewer Heineken appointed insider Jean-Francois van Boxmeer as chief executive on Tuesday to replace Anthony Ruys in a shake-up promoting younger blood to help revive the group's sluggish shares.

The world's fourth-biggest brewer said Ruys, 57, will step down earlier than expected on Oct. 1 and be succeeded by Belgian van Boxmeer, 43, who is executive board member in charge of production in most of Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Full Story - NZ Herald

Awards judging not all beer and skittles

Beer judges, unlike their wine tasting cousins, also had to swallow during tastings and Mr Piening estimated he would have to consume just over five litres of beer. However, there was no question that judges were consuming the beer for recreational purposes or that they would be guilty of being drunk in charge of a tasting.

Full Story

The legality of pints - the official view

On Sunday I posted some questions regarding the legality of pints in New Zealand. As promised, I sent them to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. By Tuesday, I had a reply from Stephen O'Brien who has the coolest job title ever - Advisor Legal Metrology.

I've reproduced his reply in full and without comment below:

"Dear Neil,

Thank you for your enquiry.

It is an Offence under Section 8 of the Weights and Measures Act 1987 to use for trade any measure other than that of the metric system.

Section 10 of the Weights and Measures Act 1987 also sets out a traders obligation to use metric measures for advertising goods for sale.

When the Measurement and Product Safety Service (MAPPS) receive a complaint or an Inspector notes a bar advertising pints the trader is approached and the offending advertising is removed.

In New Zealand beer is traditionally sold by the glass or the jug and is not usually sold by measure. A large number of people both customers and traders use the term 'pint' as a generic name for a large glass of beer. It is illegal to sell by the pint but the majority of bar patrons will enter bars and ask for a pint glass. The sale of tap beer in bars is a transaction where the consumer has the opportunity to view the quantity of the product before purchase. As a result if the glass is not of the desired size or not properly filled the consumer can refuse to purchase it and move to another bar.

It is difficult to give definitive answers to your questions because prosecution decisions are made based on the specific circumstances of each reported offence. We take into account issues like the cost to consumers, the best means to ensure compliance and the previous history of the offender before deciding to prosecute.

In response to your questions:

Are the many bars which sell beers called pints and half pints breaking the law; if not, why not?

It is possible that the bars are committing an offence against Section 8 or 10 (as I outlined above) but this would depend on the circumstances of each alleged offence.

Does the fact that these are usually not real pints or half pints mean anything; if so, why?

The pint is not a legal measure in New Zealand. If a trader was advertising pints for sale the fact that the pint was less than 568 millilitres means that two offences could have been committed. The first offence is against Section 8 or 10 of the Weights and Measures Act 1987 in relation to the use of a 'pint' measure. The second offence is that of supplying short measure under Section 16 of the Weights and Measures Act 1987.

How can someone selling a real pint (568ml or greater) be prosecuted for short measure?

The trader could be committing an offence against Section 8 or 10 in relation to the use of a 'pint' measures. The trader could not be prosecuted for selling a short measure if the glass was 568ml or greater.

Should a publican be prosecuted for selling a real pint which is advertised as such; if so, why?

A publican selling 'real pints' would be committing an offence against Section 10 of the Weights and Measures Act. The initial MAPSS intervention would involve approaching the trader and requesting removal of the offending advertising. In the event of repeated offending and as a last resort to ensure compliance the trader could be prosecuted for the offence.

Under what legislation are imperial measures illegal?

The Weights and Measures Act 1987

Why are McDonalds Quarter Pounders legal under such legislation?

Under a strict interpretation of the Weights and Measures Act it is not legal to advertise by imperial units. Section 11 of the Weights and Measures Act 1987 outlines exceptions to the use of metric measurements for imported goods. Products like the McDonalds 'Quarter Pounders' and Subway 'Foot long sub' do not fall into a strict interpretation of these exceptions because they are not imported. The product concept, name and franchises are imported into New Zealand but the products themselves are made locally. The main reason they are able to use imperial units in the names of these products is that they are internationally recognised names that have been established for many years. The large compliance costs for these businesses associated in changing their products names would not result in any benefit to the consumers. If MacDonald's were to introduce new products into the New Zealand market using imperial measurements MAPSS would consider them to be in breach of the Weights and Measures Act.

How many prosecutions have there been under the beer measurement category in the last five years?

Nil.

What was the total cost of any prosecutions to the taxpayer including Crown Law Office costs?

Nil.

If you require any further information please contact me.

All the best.

Stephen O'Brien
Advisor Legal Metrology"

Some interesting issues raised for publicans here.

Mr O'Brien has also indicated there is an intention to tidy up thelegislation and industry practice in the not too distant future. I'll try to keep you posted.

Cheers

Neil

Pints are illegal

Luke has allowed me to post my beer related thoughts on this blog.

I thought I would start off with my thoughts on an issue bought to my attention by regular reader and all-round fine fellow Flash. For reasons known only to himself, Mr Flash was surfing the Ministry of Consumer Affairs website when he came across this:

Reference: Consumer Affairs - Measurements
Beer

“Beer is traditionally sold by the glass or the jug. It is not usually sold by measure.

The use of Imperial measures (eg, 'pint') for trade is illegal. The pint is a measure equalling 568 millilitres.

Traders selling 'pints' of beer which are not equal to or greater than 568 mls face prosecution for short measure and for selling by Imperial measure. “

Now before you ask:

Yes, there is a Ministry of Consumer Affairs. Budget 2004 says it costs $6.8m a year.
Yes, there is a Minister of Consumer Affairs – Hon Judith Tizard – cost unknown.

This information raises some questions for me:

Are the many bars which sell beers called pints and half pints breaking the law?

Does the fact that these are usually not real pints or half pints mean anything?

How can someone selling a real pint (568ml or greater) be prosecuted for short measure?

Should a publican be prosecuted for selling a real pint which is advertised as such?

Under what legislation are imperial measures illegal?

Why are McDonalds Quarter Pounders legal from the imperial measure dikat?

How many prosecutions have there been under this category in the last five years?

What was the cost of any prosecutions?

You know, I feel a letter coming on.

Cheers

Neil

Bud-maker launches watermelon beverage

Anheuser-Busch Cos., the US's biggest brewer, is adding a watermelon-flavored brew to its Bacardi Silver lineup, hoping it will give a warm-weather boost to a company with suddenly sluggish sales.

FULL STORY

The search for the best beer in the world

Close to 800 beers have been entered from 31 countries for the 2005 Australian International Beer Awards.

Judging gets under way on 15 April and will continue over an eight day judging cycle to determine the best of the best for 2005.

Full Press Release

Official Website

More about Canadian Beer

The Montréal Beer Fest

RealBeer.com Canada

Say cheers to Canada’s beers

Under $3000

The Montreal Beer Fest runs from June 1-5. Packages for five nights are priced from $2999 a person, twin share, including return airfares flying Air New Zealand and Air Canada from Auckland (add $100 a person or $75 a child for travel from Wellington and Christchurch), five nights’ accommodation at the Hotel Maritime Plaza, and a three-hour Greater Montreal tram tour.

Contact: House of Travel, freephone 0800 838 747.

from the NZHerald

Just the one, I'm working. Yeah right

The official opening of the Tui Brewery visitor centre – Tui HQ – at Mangatainoka was a hell of an assignment. Go to the brewery, hang out for the day and drink some of its beer. Don't you love it when your job is also your hobby?

FULL STORY at Stuff.co.nz

Bar Edward's - Wellington

If you are near Newtown, pop into Bar Edward's on the main road.
It's not the prettiest bar in town but has the good beer and the best
tap and glass management I've come across (Tuatara and Emersons on
tap with a pretty good range of bottles).

Stu

Taken from NZ HomeBrewers Forum

BBIA this week (from Bar Bodega)

Kia ora beerlovers

This week we have some old favourites, some new versions of beers we have had before and a couple of new ones.

We start with a boutique brewery wheat beer set:
- Martinborough Brewery's White Rock Wheat (from the rigger)
- Harringtons wheat beer
- Invercargill Brewing Coy's Wasp.

The next is a brown beer set of 2:
- "Batch #30" of Fuggles from Steam Brewing Coy off the hand pump.
(Some will remember earlier versions on tap at Bodega and Regionals.)
- Belgian specialty beer - Goudenbrand by Liefmans

For a bit of spice we finish with:
- this season's version of Emerson's Taieri George
- the last of the Cooper's Vintage Ale

That should keep us occupied - see you there.

Neil McInnes

Bar Bodega - Wellington

Left to right:
MD DB Breweries, Brian Blake
Tararua Mayor, Maureen Reynolds
Tui brand manager, Nick Rogers
Tui brewery manager, Geoff Edwards
Outside the Tui Brewery Headquarters celebrating with a toast the opening of the new tour facility in Mangatainoka. Note this is no ordinary Tui billboard - it's made out of 1000 broomheads!!!

Press Release (that goes with this image)

Extract Micro Brewery - For Sale

In Hamilton there is an old extract micro (600 litres?) for sale. "The equipment is about 10 to 12 years old but has not been used for the last 8 years. Brewery is set up in the old Victorias Tavern in Victoria St Hamilton".

For Sale on Trade Me
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-industry/Businesses-for-Sale/auction-24840501.htm

Parrot & Jigger UPDATE

Parrot and Jigger brewery has been removed. It is being shipped to Adelaide, South Australia. It will be opening as the “Gulf Brewery” (wholesale only) in few months after get through all of the licenses and permits.

Vaccine in your beer and cola!

"This is all theoretical at this point, but you could use all the vices people have to deliver vaccines - in a beer, in a can of Coke or even in a cigarette," he said.

Full Story Here

Emerson's Update

Unofficial comments from the brewery via homebrewers online forum

"Yeah DBA has been dropped due to the lack of sales and the problems Emersons have had with producing enougth of the beers that are in hot demand such as APA which sold out almost over night.

Maris Gold has been demoted to a summer limited release too."

Matlida Bay - lands in NZ end April

The Matilda Bay beers will be arriving in New Zealand towards the end of April.

The beers that will be available in NZ will be
Redback Wheat - ledgendary Australian wheat beer
Bohemian Pilzner - hoppy pils style
Beez Neez - Aussie lager with a hint of honey

Matilda Bay as a brand, and brewery are being revamped. With the recent purchase of the Stockade Brewery in Melbourne, Matilda Bay now has a home.


======================================================
We’re kick starting our Garage Days with
‘The Matilda Bay Garage Brewery’
Matilda Bay has acquired a little brewery from Bacchus International. Bacchus International has decided to concentrate on its core spirits business, and the opportunity for Matilda Bay arose to purchase their brewing equipment.

We’ve been thinking about giving Matilda Bay a footprint on the East Coast for a while, so we thought this was a great chance to do just that, with the new small brewery just giving us that extra bit of flexibility, such as the ability to do very short limited release runs of "way-out-there" beers.

The brewery’s perfect for Brad to try out his new ideas, putting all beers through their “garage” phase and giving them a bit of a sample all the while! Brewing at our home in North Fremantle will, of course, continue as normal – you can take the boys out of WA…

See more at..

Sassy Red from Mac's, and also from Shed 22, in Wellington.

Online Beer Game

Looking to kill some time at work?

Try this game.

http://www.wagenschenke.ch/