Tuatara tops the New World beer and cider awards
More than 400 beers and ciders were judged in February for New World's Beer and Cider Awards.
Beer snobs might turn their noses up at it, but Steinlager Pure will proudly wear a Best in Class medal in New World stores from Monday.
It took out the lager category of the New World Beer and Cider awards and was one of two mainstream beers that won medals – the other being Peroni's light option Leggera.
Paraparaumu brewery Tuatara was the big individual winner. It took home the Best in Class honour for its Bohemian Pilsner and also won three other gold medals, the most by any brewery.
A judge smells a beer at the New World Beer & Cider Awards judging at Westpac Stadium in February.
Tuatara's Richard Shirtcliffe said the winning beers come off the back of 18 months of hard work.
"I'm delighted for the brewers, they've been working incredibly hard ... to improve existing brews and create some stunning new ones."
He said there was a lot of competition in the craft beer market now, but Tuatara felt it had a place in the market, and just wanted to do things better.
Wellington brewery Tuatara has won Best in Class for Bohemian Pilsner and gold medals for Sauvinova, Aotearoa Pale Ale and Bavarian Hefe in the New World Beer and Cider awards.
It had an internal mission, he said, to free the world from the tyranny of bad beer and, rather than rest on its laurels, would continue to push for better beer, and new brews.
Chairman of the independent judges Michael Donaldson said the quality of entries was outstanding, and New Zealand breweries were producing world-class drops.
"The range of award winners is testament to the strength of the industry."
Top judge Michael Donaldson said this year's awards showed "the quality we've come to expect from established breweries has not diminished".
Donaldson said the awards offered something for everyone – from traditionalists who might prefer Steinlager Pure to hop-heads who would love Garage Project's Los Lobos, to dessert-lovers who might opt to experiment with Kereru's decadent Imperial Nibs.
Best in Class and Gold Medal winners are available in New World stores nationwide from Monday, and will be in stores for a month. Those that are already in stock will be there for longer.
The Best in Class winners:
Pale Ale: Epic Pale Ale
IPA: Epic Armageddon IPA
European-style ale: Sparks Brewing Prospector Farmhouse Ale
British-style ale: Emerson's Bookbinder
American-style ale: Garage Project Los Lobos
Lager: Steinlager Pure
Pilsner: Tuatara Bohemian Pilsner
Wheat & other grain beer: Moa Southern Alps White IPA
Stout, porter & black beer: Eagle Brewing Coalface Stout
Experimental, aged, fruit & flavoured beer: Kereru Imperial Nibs
Lower alcohol & session beer – Peroni Leggera
Apple & pear cider: The Hills Cider Company Pear Cider
Fruit & flavoured cider: Good George Brewing Doris
- Stuff
Comments