Beer World Cup, NZ 2011

[Christian]

After seeing the news about Queen's Wharf 'changing hands' and being planned as party central for the Rugby World Cup, my thoughts naturally went to beer. Call me unpatriotic but the national game isn't really my thing - however, it seems like there's a big opportunity here to showcase great NZ craft beer to the world.

Sure, there's going to be lots of tourists who have bought the marketing hype and will be quite happy with their green bottle of Steinlager Pure but there will also be heaps looking to sample the best NZ has to offer.

Have any great ideas on how to make the most of this opportunity? Post 'em below.

[Martin Bridges]

Excellent thinking. Time for SOBA and the Brewers Guild to really put this place on the map. We are up to the challenge, I'm sure of it.

[Tony]

Agreed Martin, a perfect opportunity. Although I am going to be a bit cynical and say, it's going to come down to dollars and sponsors. Meaning Lion Nathan (I think they are still sponsors?), will have the market cornered. Unless we can canvass them to support smaller brewer's?

[colin m]

Heineken (ie DB) is the major RWC 2011 sponsor. This doesnt mean we cant organise independent beer events that will add to the experience of tourists and locals alike during September & October 2011. I am already looking into the possibility of a Wellington based, beer focussed event (assuming this doesnt clash with Beervana 2011).

The biggest issue I see here is that most of the cake tin games are crap and all spread out apart from the quarter finals weekend ( which in Welly cant be the AB's because of the pool structure ). That, and France will have kicked their butts again by that stage!!

Col

[Glynn Foster]

Good opportunity for the malthouse and beerstore to put together a beer list matching the pool games, and getting people to vote on their best beers to make it through to the next round and beer world cup final! :)

[Tony]

Excellent Colin, let us know how you get on. I was aware that the sponsors had the sole rights to sell alcohol at venues that and that any permission to sell alcohol would have to go through them? Having said that, I am not sure if the new wharf/party central might be an ACC funded venue (in Auckland) , which means, we might be able to organise something through the (by then) super city council? Naturally, anyone can sell to the tourists and visitors and sell outside of the sponsored venues and private businesses.