Entries open for New Zealand Beer Awards

MEDIA RELEASE
1 September 2016

Entries open for New Zealand Beer Awards

The search for New Zealand’s champion brewery is on as entries for the 2016 Brewers Guild of New Zealand Beer Awards opened this week.

Brewers Guild chairman Jonathan Alve said this year’s edition of the awards were set to be the most keenly contested yet.

“Kiwi brewers are continuing to excel in terms of the taste, quality, and originality of brews produced. That’s reflected in strong sales growth in New Zealand and offshore as well as the performance of our breweries in international competitions.

“We’re also seeing a huge amount of innovation in the sector as brewers respond to consumer preferences, whether it’s for lower alcohol beer or the stronger tasting ales. That bodes well for another stellar year in New Zealand brewing excellence.”

Now in their 10th year, the Brewers Guild awards are the pinnacle of recognition in New Zealand’s booming brewing industry. Last year, nearly 800 beers from 100 New Zealand and international breweries were submitted across 14 beer categories, with LION crowned 2015 Champion Brewery.

“The beer awards are the ultimate accolade for New Zealand’s $2.2 billion beer industry. They celebrate and reward talent for brewing quality beer that people throughout New Zealand and the world enjoy,” Mr Alve said.

“Over 10 years they’ve become a sought-after recognition for international brewers because of New Zealand reputation for outstanding beers. The competition is sure to be fierce.

“We’re thrilled, too, to have new principal sponsor Cryer Malt onboard this year.”

Judging will take place over two days from 23 September, with the judging panel comprising of 25 national and international judges.

All beer entries will be rated against a style guide for each category for aroma, colour, bitterness, flavour and presentation. A beer’s overall balance of characteristics, with all those factors taken into account, is then rated and judges decide whether it is worthy of a gold, silver or bronze medal.

The brewery with the most number of medals is crowned Champion New Zealand Brewery.

Winners of the 2016 Brewers Guild Awards of New Zealand will be announced on Saturday 8 October at the Langham Hotel in Auckland.

BEST OF THE BEST– PREVIOUS CHAMPION NEW ZEALAND BREWERIES

2015: LION
2014: Townshend’s
2013: Harrington’s
2012: Renaissance
2011: 8 Wired
2010: DB
2009: Tuatara
2008: Emerson’s
2007: No award

For more information, including a list of all categories and beers nominated for the awards, visit www.brewersguild.org.nz/awards

ENDS

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