Beer Awards and Beer Tasting

The biggest week on the New Zealand beer calendar is over. The BrewNZ Beer Awards attracted a record number of entries while Beervana attracted a record number of attendees. The winners were honoured at the awards dinner last Thursday and the full results are now up on the Brewer's Guild website. The highlight of the evening was Emerson's Brewing Company being crowned Champion Brewery 2009.

Pre-Beervana, I had the pleasure of running a beer tasting for the diplomatic folks at MFAT:

The role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been occasionally described by outsiders as ‘drinking for one’s country.’ It was therefore slightly surprising that it had been a couple of years since I had last run a beer tasting session for the MFAT social club. The organiser of the previous event is, rather ironically, now posted to a completely dry country though I’m sure there is no causal relationship.

Finally, to the hundreds of correspondents who almost over-loaded the Real Beer server with emails wanting to know what happened to Beer Haiku Friday, you will be pleased to learn that normal service will resume this week.

Record number of entries at 2009 BrewNZ Beer Awards

More than 340 beers from New Zealand and overseas breweries are entered in this year’s BrewNZ Beer Awards, New Zealand’s premier beer competition, up from 205 entries last year. The Awards, which have also attracted about 150 international entries from Australia, United States, Pacific Islands and Russia, have brewers striving to brew the perfect beer.

Led by US-based judge Dave Logsdon, a panel of judges will convene in Wellington to assess entries over three days from Sunday 22 August, with the BrewNZ Beer Awards Dinner to be held on Thursday 27 August.

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Brewers Guild to honour classic Kiwi beer styles

New Zealand’s indigenous beer styles will be honoured with two new trophies at this year’s BrewNZ Beer Awards to be held in Wellington in August. Best in class trophies will be awarded to the highest rated entries in both the classic New Zealand Draught and the Golden Lager style categories.

Brewed using a combination of ale and lager brewing techniques, New Zealand Draughts and Lagers are hybrid styles that are unique to this country.

In announcing the new awards, the Brewers Guild of New Zealand (BGNZ) has recognised the importance of this country’s classic beer styles. BGNZ Chairman David Cryer says, “These new awards emphasise the significance of this country’s classic beer styles on the world stage and highlight New Zealand’s status as a strong brewing nation.”

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Curry in a hurry by Martin Bosley

When you’re looking for a simple dish to accompany pale ale, it’s hard to go past curry.

I am not much of a beer drinker, preferring a glass of wine to accompany my food. So it was with some amusement and a degree of scepticism that I accepted an invitation from the organisers of BrewNZ, New Zealand’s international beer awards, to demonstrate the art of beer and food matching.

Previously, my experience with beer had been limited to the standard brands. So, starting my research with them, I discovered they had one thing in common: they were all wet. It was with pleasure, then, that I moved on to the handsome, locally produced, handcrafted regional beers, and made some interesting discoveries. Committed boutique beer drinkers are just as passionate and know-ledgeable about their subject as any wine connoisseur, and they’re happy to share that passion with you.

Beer, like wine, can either complement or contrast food. But beer has carbonation that cleans the palate between mouthfuls of food, rinsing away traces of fat and richness and leaving the tastebuds refreshed and ready to experience textures and flavours.

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REVIEW: Beer to knock your socks off

Beer reviewer Ric Oram reviews the latest creation from local brewer Green Man, fermented with champage yeast to pack a wallop.

Dunedin brewer Green Man has produced, at 14.5%, what is probably the strongest commercial beer made in New Zealand.

It is Enrico's Cure (named after its maker Enrico Gritzner) which won a silver medal and was judged the best experimental beer at this month's BrewNZ beer competition.

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Official Photos from BrewNZ Awards Evening

Click though to see the photos

Life-changing stuff as Kiwi beer comes of age at BrewNZ

But for me the most successful part of BrewNZ wasn't the beers themselves, but the public's response to them. Beervana, a two-day tasting event featuring 80 or so of the country's finest brews as well as beer and food matching seminars with top chef Martin Bosley, was a huge success.

Around 2500 people braved some of the capital's most inclement weather to attend the three sessions at the Overseas Terminal and everyone I have spoken to since has been fulsome in their praise.

Having flown down to Wellington specifically for the event, the Auckland-based editor of a well known trade magazine later told me the quality and diversity of beers available at Beervana had fundamentally changed his understanding and perception of beer. Praise indeed!

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Life-changing stuff as Kiwi beer comes of age at BrewNZ

But for me the most successful part of BrewNZ wasn't the beers themselves, but the public's response to them. Beervana, a two-day tasting event featuring 80 or so of the country's finest brews as well as beer and food matching seminars with top chef Martin Bosley, was a huge success.

Around 2500 people braved some of the capital's most inclement weather to attend the three sessions at the Overseas Terminal and everyone I have spoken to since has been fulsome in their praise.

Having flown down to Wellington specifically for the event, the Auckland-based editor of a well known trade magazine later told me the quality and diversity of beers available at Beervana had fundamentally changed his understanding and perception of beer. Praise indeed!

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Kate's Blog - Beervana

(note below there are actually three different links to three very comprehensive blog posts)

All of this and more was at this weekend’s Brew NZ event, Beervana, in Wellington. Over 20 brewers from around the country and many more discerning drinkers gathered in the Overseas Terminal on the waterfront. Stalls flanked the walls and in the middle the conversation and the tasting notes hummed.

A very good and unobtrusive band played throughout the evening, and the food (which could be purchased with beer tokens) looked excellent and abundant – I saw venison sausages, mashed potatoes and mushy peas, turkey and ham rolls, and a mound of tasty cheeses. I have to admit I didn’t eat any because I was too busy tasting the beer – more of which in the next blog.

Full Blog Post
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Kate's Beervana: Tasting notes (Part 1)
Well, my head has almost recovered after a night of hedonistic beery pleasure, and this morning’s run along the Eastern walkway with occasional glimpses of the inland Kaikouras (they were just there!) has cleared the mental decks so that I can write up some rather illegible tasting notes from this weekend’s Beervana.

Full Blog Post (Part 1)

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Beervana: Tasting notes (Part 2)
So, to sum up, I drank lots of beer, I like hops and I had a great night. My top three, entirely unscientifically based upon the way I was feeling at the time are Epic Pale Ale, Yeastie Boys' Pot Kettle Black, and Croucher Brewing Company Pale Ale. Anyone else?

Full Blog Post (Part 2)

2008 BrewNZ Beer Awards Results

Here is the full list of results from the 2008 BrewNZ Beer Awards, announced Thursday 4th September 2008

2008 BrewNZ Beer Awards Results

And the winners are...

The 2008 BrewNZ Beer Awards were announced last night in Wellington. The Best in Class winners in the following categories were:

Classic NZ Styled Beers: Biman, Invercargill Brewery, Invercargill.

Amber and Dark lagers: Hereford Bitter, Dux Brew Co, Christchurch.

International Golden Lager: James Squire Pilsener, Malt Shovel Brewery, Australia.

French & Belgian style ales: Tuatara Ardennes, Tuatara Brewing, Wellington.

New world/American style ales: Epic Pale Ale, Epic Brewing Company, Auckland. UK and other European style ales: Tuatara IPA, Tuatara Brewing, Wellington.

Stouts and Porters: Clydesdale Stout, Harringtons Brewery, Christchurch.

Strong ales and lagers: Monteith's Winter Ale Doppelbock, DB Mainland Brewery, Auckland.

Wheat and other grain beers: Emerson's Weizenbock, The Emerson Brewing Company, Dunedin.

Fruit, spiced, herb flavoured beers: Boysenbeery, Invercargill Brewery, Invercargill.

Packaging award: Monteith's New Zealand Lager, Monteith's Brewing Company.

Experimental and non or low alcoholic beers: Enrico's Cure, Green Man Brewery, Dunedin.

Champion Brewery: Tuatara Brewery

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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BEERVANA - Festive Brews - Be There OR Miss Out

Beervana is offering beer drinkers of New Zealand, not only the best selection of beers ever brought together under one roof in New Zealand, but a hand full of beers never seen before, especially in one place.

This is truly BEERVANA.

Festive Brews on offer

- Mussel Inn - a particularly special version of the Capt Cooker
- Aotearoa Breweries - Fejoa style MATA
- Epic Armageddon IPA - Double IPA
- Bennett's Winter Ale - 6.8 % Winter Ale
- Emerson's Special Reserve – Piny Stout aged in Pinot Barrels 5% Stout
- Yeastie Boys 'Pot Kettle Black' - American Porter
- Greenman - Whisky Bock - Doppelbock is matured in American oak.
- Twisted Hop - double IPA 'Skull Buggery' 8% Limited to 2 firkins only

Also over 20 breweries and beer distributors under one roof. That is nearly 100 different beers available to sample. Plus meet the brewers of these beers.

THREE SESSIONS
Session 1 - Friday 5th September from 4pm till 9pm
Session 2 - Saturday 6th September from 10am till 2pm
Session 3 - Saturday 6th September from 4pm till 9pm

TICKETS
$25 single session
$50 all sessions

GLASS
Get a branded Beervana glass, with a sample line. Taste either 145ml samples or a full taste of 290ml

VIP TICKETS
$125 - all drinks and eats are free. In addition to all the 100 beers on offer you also have access to a massive selection of over 200 beers from the entries of the BrewNZ International Beer Awards. That is up to 300 different beers you can try.

LOCATION
Overseas Terminal
Wellington
New Zealand

DATES:
Friday - 5th September 2008
Saturday - 6th September 2008
Buy tickets now

Love Beer? Seek Beervana!

WIN: 1 of 5 double passes to Beervana

WIN: 1 of 5 double passes to Beervana

DATE: Friday 5 Sept 4pm - 9pm

ENTER: email beer@dompost.co.nz with Beervana in the subject

CLOSES: Tuesday 19th August

Link

BrewNZ - Updated on Eventfinder

Eventfinder.co.nz

BrewNZ Announces World Class Festival Plans

The Brewers Guild of New Zealand today announced major changes to the official festival for the brewing industry, BrewNZ, to be held in Wellington from 2-6 September 2008.

Entering its 7th year, BrewNZ is set to become a world class beer event kicking off with the judging of over 200 beers from NZ and around the world and culminating with 2 days of tasting the best beer brewers have to offer under one roof at the Overseas Terminal.

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Beerly Writing: Salient

This is the 600th post on the Real Beer blog and it contains two more beer columns from Salient.

The first is a report on the Brew NZ Beer Awards 2007:

The lovely city of Wellington recently hosted what is possibly the world’s most important awards ceremony. It had more artistic merit than the MTV Awards because Britney Spears did not attend, far less “perform”, and while there was all the pomp and ceremony of the Oscars, this event was thankfully a full 11 hours shorter. For many in attendance, the evening’s urbane Master of Ceremonies reminded them of a young Ryan Seacrest - if Ryan Seacrest had any talent.

The second is on American Beers:

The flavour is almost invisible, though as the beer warms up the taste becomes slightly chemical. There is so much rice in Bud that it is hard to know if you have bought a six pack or sushi box. Sure, if you can put a man on the moon I guess it is relatively simple to take all the flavour out of beer, but I’d question the point.

BrewNZ 2007 - Awards - Photos & Video

Over the next week we will be adding more images and video to the BrewNZ 2007 website.

If you have photos or video to share please email



BrewNZ.co.nz for the images and video.

BrewNZ Judges find good taste

Media Release
September 14, 2007
Source: BrewNZ

We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to world-class beers. BrewNZ’s international beer judging panel has just found 16 locally available beers worthy of gold.

The 13 strong judging panel spent three days taste testing 184 beers to find 81 of our best medal winning beers, which were announced at the 2007 BrewNZ awards in Wellington on Wednesday 12th September.

Last year, just six of the 170 beers presented were judged to be of world class gold medal standard.

Chief steward Stu McKinlay, who has been involved in the BrewNZ awards for the past three years, said the quality of the beers was improving from year to year as brewers strived for the ultimate prize.

This year entries came from across New Zealand as well as the USA and Australia where word about the quality of the Kiwi craft beer industry was quickly spreading, Mr McKinlay said.

“These results will show that our smaller breweries are coming up to the bench mark that a couple of the more well-known craft breweries have set over the last couple of years.”

“It’s a nice spread for the best in class that we’ve not seen over the past few years, both in terms of breweries and the size and type of brewery,” Mr McKinlay said.

It’s not a matter of first, second and third. Beers win medals based on their individual merits and are judged against each other only when it comes to ‘best in class’. In some classes the best medal is silver or bronze, while in others there are several golds.

A gold medal is defined as a world-class beer that exemplifies its style, displaying the proper balance of taste, aroma and appearance. A silver medal is an excellent beer and a bronze denotes a fine example.

Beers are judged blind and to qualify for the ‘best in class’ trophy must be commercially available in New Zealand.

Full results are available at www.brewnz.co.nz.

Ends.

For further information:

BrewNZ
David Cryer
0800 625 833

Brewer's Guild says the entries for this year's Brew NZ Awards were world class.

Thirteen judges spent three days tasting the 180 beers entered; 18 gold medal winners were announced this week.

Competition entries came from across New Zealand, as well as the United States and Australia.

Vice President and judge, Luke Nicholas, says the quality of entries improves from year to year.

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