(Courtesy Brewers Guild of New Zealand)

New Zealand is fantastic country, home to “Lord of the Rings” and an impressive craft beer scene. They recently celebrated their best and we’ve all of the highlights.

Put on by the Brewers Guild of New Zealand, this year’s competition saw a remarkable 700+ entries from across the country. The New Zealand Beer Awards also celebrate the wider brewing industry with special awards for things like Sustainability, Beer Tourism and Packaging.

(Courtesy Brewers Guild of New Zealand)

“We’re over the moon with both the number of entries and their quality in the 2024 competition,” said Melanie Kees, Executive Director of the Brewers Guild of New Zealand….

“One of the key drivers behind the New Zealand Beer Awards, apart from celebrating our exceptional local beers, is to recognize and uphold high standards. This year, we saw a 14% increase in the success rate for medals, with 77% of all entries receiving a medal. This is a testament to the outstanding quality of New Zealand beer, which is fantastic news for both brewers and consumers.”

Judging took place, just over two weeks ago in Christchurch where 26 judges, 24 stewards and 6 support staff poured, delivered and tasted the 700 plus beers.

This year the “Overall Champion Brewing Company” award going to Three Boys Brewery from Christchurch, a title they also held in 2022.

.And here are ALL of this year’s big  winners…

Champion Award Winners

Champion Micro Brewery

Fork & Brewer, Wellington

Champion Small Brewery

Shining Peak Brewing, New Plymouth

Champion Medium Brewery

McLeod’s Brewery, Waipu

Champion Large Brewery

Parrotdog, Wellington

###

Trophy Winners

Parrotdog

International Lager – L.B. Cold IPA

Shining Peak Brewing

NZ IPA, NZ Pale & NZ Draughts – Detained & Fabulous

Parrotdog

NZ Lager & NZ Pilsner – Sundog

Isthmus Brewing

British & European Ale – Gone Troppo

Sprig & Fern Brewing Co

Amber/Dark Lager & Ale – The G.O.A.T Doppelbock

McLeod’s Brewery

International Pale Ale – Blue Sky

Good George Brewing

No, Low & Reduced Alcohol – Virtual Reality Non Alcoholic Pale Ale

McLeod’s Brewery

Indian Pale Ale – Tropical Cyclone

Beer Baroness

Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale – Slice of Heaven

Bach Brewing Co

Juicy/Hazy IPA – Bungy Smuggler NZ Hazy IPA

Mount Brewing Co

Stout & Porter – Shades of the Pacific

Panhead Custom Ales

Wheat & Other Grain – Batch 293, German Wheat

Behemoth Brewing Company Ltd

Fruit & Flavoured – Triple Chocolate Milk Stout

Three Boys Brewery

Specialty & Experimental – Three Boys Raspberry Gose

Shining Peak Brewing

Wood & Barrel Aged – Vintage Stout 2021

###

Industry Award Winners

Brewing Sustainability Award

Sawmill Brewery

Beer Tourism Award

Altitude Brewing

Packaging Award

Hop Federation

 Morton Coutts Award for Innovation

Clayton Hops

###

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners…Live long and prosper!