Best of Brew NZ and Beervana

[Steph]

Thought I'd start a thread to give some "mad props" to my favs from Brew NZ and Beervana. Here goes:
- The great guys from stewarding. It was much harder work than I thought but I had a great time hanging out with Martin, Stu, Craig, Chris and the gang.
- Smelling how good one particular beer was in the pouring judge, looking up its number and then finding out it was Armegeddon and realising how privileged we all are.
- Being privileged enough to score some fantastic beer, including an awarding winning and delicious His Majestys in the bottle and being given one by the Yeastie Boys in the rigger.
- Meeting some of the awesome judges. Dave Logsdon was just fantastic and it was great chatting with Shane (from Steam) and Richard from Wig and Pen (among others).
- Hanging out with the guys from Renaissance Brewery. Brian is a legend for buying me coffee on the Saturday morning session of Beervana. Along with Andy and Soren that lot are the nicest brewers around.
- Meeting all the volunteers, including all you lot from RealBeer. There were some super cool people who let me boss them round a fair bit and didn't seem to mind too much.
- Laughing when Daniel from the beerstore introduced himself and said "you seem to drink a lot". And, explaining to lots of poeple that that is how I managed to get involved with BrewNZ and Beervana!!
-Almost forgot....Awarding best shirt to Matt from Harringtons for two awesome shirts on mash-in and at the awards. Big ups to Stu's shirt and pant combo and Paul Mecurio's hilarious beer shirt at Beervana.

Phew, and sure I've missed a bit out....Like the beer. I'll have to get back to it.

[josh scott]

True!!! I'm sure we could trust all to do a small 30ml pour!?!

[nzbrewer]

I guess based on the public poll it looks like we should have International Breweries entering. (maybe it is so the stewards have a cool selection of beer to take afterwards)

[Greig McGill]

Hrm. That poll is very broken. It just let me vote three times. All Yes, by the way. ;)

[Steph]

Are you casting doubt on our dedication, committment, selflessness, etc...it was about the passion, of course...

[nzbrewer]

Josh

Just found out there were around 150 international entries for the Beer Awards @ $150 per entry that is $22,500. An amount of money that helps the Brewers Guild of New Zealand to run the event.

[Sam Possenniskie (TGM)]

Agreed. That was my point.

Wouldn't be too keen on $200 per entry - that's about 2 years profit for us! Well, if we were making a profit that is...

[Martin townshend]

I'm sure I've mentioned this in a previous thread somewhere, and can't remeber if i got shot down in flames or not, but can someone please explain how a beer labled as (eg) an IPA and therefore sold as such can be entered into the awards in the NZ draught category?

[nzbrewer]

or an Ale getting Best in Class for International Lager

[James P]

Isn't that brewed with a lager yeast like all their beers??

[Martin townshend]

Presumably you are joking or or i've misunderstood? Please explain how this could be possible...

[James P]

I would suggest that like most draughts, ales, and lagers in NZ (except craft brewers) they are brewed using a lager strain, or at least Canterbury (Lion) use a similar strain!

[Mike Neilson]

Well if you lager your Ale than its lager? Fuck knows but it seems just to take the piss realy and shows what a mockary the awards could be. Speights Distinction Ale Best International Lager come on.