Paying tribute to brewers

Congratulations to Avril Maxwell from Christchurch's Torenhof Belgian Beer Cafe.

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This week I'd like to pay tribute to two people I know who work in the New Zealand brewing industry and whose dedication and passion has recently elevated the image of this country's beer culture on the other side of the world.

First up, congratulations to Avril Maxwell from Christchurch's Torenhof Belgian Beer Cafe. Having already won the New Zealand leg of the annual Stella Artois Draught Master competition, in New York last week, Avril beat finalists from 32 countries to be named the 2009 Stella Artois World Draught Master – a remarkable achievement.

The competition is held in a specially constructed mock-up of a Belgian Beer Cafe and requires each contestant in turn to greet a group of "customers" (the judges); welcome them; introduce and describe three Belgian beers – Stella Artois, Hoegaarden Witbier and Leffe Brune – and then take orders.

The contestant must then return to the bar to prepare the drinks within an allotted timeframe. Then, after being scrutinised for correct glass washing, hygiene and pouring techniques the contestant returns to the customers' table and presents the beers, each in its own branded glassware and on its respective coaster.

Contestants are required to show an understanding of each beer style and be able to make recommendations on dishes from the menu to accompany them.

I met Avril in August at The Food Show in Auckland where I was one of the judges for the New Zealand final of this year's competition. In Auckland her bubbly personality, knowledge and ability impressed the judges and I'm delighted that she managed to perform to the same high standard in New York.

Congratulations also to Ian Ramsay, brewer at Galbraith's Alehouse in Auckland. One of Ian's beers, an English-style cask-conditioned "real ale" called Mr G's Luncheon Ale, is one of only six foreign brews specially commissioned for a real ale festival being run by the giant JD Wetherspoon pub chain and is currently being served in 732 pubs across Britain.

Why "Mr G"? Ian uses the term as a "polite, but not too formal" way of addressing his boss, Keith Galbraith, the owner and patron of Galbraith's Alehouse. Weighing in at a modest 3.7 per cent, Mr. G's Luncheon Ale is made from a blend of Czech and English malts and American and English hops.

For Wetherspoon's festival Ian brewed 72,000 pints of Mr. G's Luncheon Ale at Everards in Leicester.Recreating a Kiwi real ale in England is a bit like taking coals to Newcastle, or sauvignon blanc to Marlborough, so Ian's achievement is all the more impressive.

- The Marlborough Express