Dance star Paul Mercurio loves his beer

KENT BLECHYNDEN/The Dominion Post

STRICTLY SIPPING: Dancing With The Stars judge and trainee beer judge Paul Mercurio.

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He may be a legend on the dance floor, but Dancing with the Stars judge Paul Mercurio has been indulging his other love - a good beer.

As a trainee judge at the  annual BrewNZ Beer Awards in  Wellington, the dancer and star  of the film Strictly Ballroom is  working his way through more  than 360 local and international  brews - up from 209 entries last  year.

Mercurio has spent more  than 20 years mastering the art  of home brew, and is working on  a beer cookbook.

"The idea  we're trying to get people to  understand is that beer is a  sophisticated beverage. Beer's  not just for going out on a  Saturday night or having a half- dozen cans at the rugby."

Judging began on Sunday and the  winners will be named at a dinner at Wellington's Duxton Hotel on Thursday.

Up to 4000 people are expected to attend the  Beervana tasting festival at Wellington Town Hall on Friday and  Saturday.

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