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Entries now open for New World Beer & Cider Awards
Media release
15th December 2015
Entries now open for New World Beer & Cider Awards
Entries are now open for the 2016 New World Beer & Cider Awards.
Breweries, large and small, are encouraged to enter and compete in this unique celebration of great beer and cider from New Zealand and around the world.
The number of beer and cider products – from tea-beers to pumpkin ales, pilsners and citrus ciders – has exploded in the last few years and consumers are equally diverse in their tastes. These awards meet the market and give the best brewers in the business a chance to stand out from the crowd across thirteen categories with New World customers nationwide.
Best in Class winners of the 2016 Awards will be guaranteed distribution in 137 New World stores nationwide with extensive brand exposure and the opportunity for sustained sales.
Chair of the independent judges, beer writer and author Michael Donaldson said New Zealand has a great track record and this is an exciting time to be involved in its development.
“The 2016 New World Beer & Cider Awards will be a unique event. Unlike most other competitions, the awards are focused primarily on the consumer. The presentation of results will help New World customers navigate the increasingly complex beer world, allowing them to make informed choices safe in the knowledge all medal-winning beers and ciders are both technically excellent and, most importantly, enjoyable to drink.
“Since 2008 the number of brewing companies in New Zealand has nearly tripled, and craft beer now accounts for 15 per cent of all New World beer sales. New and innovative brews are creating a buzz around about beer and cider. Consumers are becoming more sophisticated in their choices and brewers are responding in similar fashion with world-class products.”
Whilst breweries do not need to be an existing New World or Foodstuffs supplier, availability is a key criterion. Entrants are required to have enough stock available to be promoted in New World stores nationwide.
An independent panel of 15 expert judges will be evaluating the entries, with cider and perry judged by specialists in this area. Held over two days in Wellington the judging will be blind and run according to the highest international industry standards. Each entry is judged individually on its merits using a collaborative method which evaluates the entry’s qualities, balance and drinkablility. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded to suitably worthy entries and the “Best in Class” is awarded to the top entry in each class.
Last held in 2014, the inaugural New World Beer & Cider Awards attracted entries from 56 breweries entering 351 beers and ciders. Blair Harley from Tuatara Brewing, which won Best in Class for its Tuatara ITI Little Big Hop APA, says the promotion of New World Beer & Cider Award winners in New World stores across New Zealand is a key point of difference from other awards.
“Taking part in the New World Beer & Cider Awards in 2014, and winning Best in Class for our ITI APA, without a doubt delivered great exposure for our brand and a heightened level of brand awareness. The commercial benefits are immediate and meaningful, and post-win we saw a notable increase in sales,” said Harley.
In addition to the prestige of being recognised as a medal-winning beer or cider, New World will be maximizing every opportunity to promote the Awards and Best in Class winners.
Entries to the competition close on Wednesday 27th January. To find out more information visitnewworld.co.nz/nwbca
Ends
New World Beer & Cider Awards 2016 Judges:
• Michael Donaldson - Beer writer and author (Chair)
• Joseph Wood - Liberty
• Kelly Ryan - Fork Brewing
• Mike Neilson - Panhead
• Stephen Plowman – Hallertau
• Tracy Banner - Sprig & Fern
• Colin Mallon - Malthouse
• Shane Morley - Steam Brewing
• Geoff Griggs - Beer writer and NHC chief judge
• Matt Warner – ParrotDog
• Kieran Haslett-Moore - North End
• Alice Galletly - Beer writer and Brothers Beer
• Amy Paisley - Sensory analyst and hop expert
The Cider & Perry entries will be judged by:
• Sam Williamson – Sawmill
• Justin Oliver – Free Range Wines
• Gabe Cook – The Ciderologist
•
New World Beer & Cider Awards 2016 Classes:
| 1. Lager | All pale lager except Pilsner (Class 2). Non geographic so includes NZ draught, premium lager, international pale lager etc |
| 2. Pilsner | All products labeled Pilsner |
| 3. Pale Ale | Non-geographic includes American pale ale, NZ pale ale, traditional British-style pale ale and strong pale ale |
| 4. IPA | Non-geographic and includes double IPA, red IPA, black IPA etc. |
| 5. British-style Ale | Includes bitter, ESB, Scottish ales (light and heavy), summer ale, barley wine, brown ale, Irish red ale etc |
| 6. European-style Ale | Includes kolsch, altbier, gose, rauchbier, dubbel, tripel, saison, Belgian table beer etc |
| 7. American-style Ale | Includes golden ale, amber ale, brown ale, black ale, cream ale, steam beer etc |
| 8. Stout, Porter & Black Beer | Includes imperial stout, Baltic porter, hoppy porter and dark lagers, for example bock, dopplebock, schwarzbier, muncher dunkel etc. |
| 9. Wheat & Other Grain Beer | Non-geographic so includes all wheat beers and beers featuring other grains such as rye, oats, rice and corn |
| 10. Experimental, Aged, Fruit & Flavoured Beer | Out of style or style-blending beer, including Pacific ale, fruit beers, pumpkin ale, coffee beer, tea beer, chilli beer, spice beer, wood- and barrel-aged beer, herb beer etc |
| 11. Lower Alcohol & Session Beer | Lagers and ales which are 1 standard drink or less per package (bottle or can) |
| 12. Apple & Pear Cider | Common cider, traditional cider, common perry, traditional perry |
| 13. Fruit
& Flavoured Cider
| Cider & perry with added flavourings (spices, fruits, other sweeteners etc) |
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