Beer a matter of taste, aroma

Eight judges at the BrewNZ Awards have the enviable task of tasting 200 beers from New Zealand and around the world over three days.

Master brewer Colin Paige, a member of the Brewers' Guild executive, which organised the awards, said the event had continued to grow in popularity over its seven-year history and this year was shaping up as "the biggest yet".

Beer appreciation was well-established overseas, but was still in its infancy in New Zealand, said Mr Paige, Mac's Brewery's head brewer.

"Things like the six o'clock swill [when the country's pubs closed at 6pm causing workers to binge-drink immediately after work] didn't do much for the image of beer in New Zealand.

"Our goal is to encourage people to savour beer."

Beers are judged on taste, aroma and appearance, and on their "individual merits" according to the different categories, including amber and dark lagers, French and Belgian ales, stouts and porters.

Meanwhile, amateur beer drinkers have the chance to refine their palates at a two-day beer-tasting and education event, Beervana, at Wellington's Overseas Terminal on Friday and Saturday.

Award-winning chef Martin Bosley and beer expert Neil Miller will be giving demonstrations on the art of beer and food matching.

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