Record entries in 2010 BrewNZ Beer Awards

To date 450 entries have been received for the 2010 BrewNZ Beer Awards, up from 348 entries last year. In its ninth year and run by the Brewers Guild of New Zealand, this is a record number of entries. The winners will be announced at the BrewNZ Awards Dinner in Wellington on Thursday 26 August.

As part of the celebrations, the Brewers Guild has invited famous US brewer Sam Calagione, owner of the fastest growing craft brewery in North America, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, to speak at the Awards Dinner.

Sam Calagione will also be bringing with him a film crew to shoot an episode of his new Discovery Channel TV show, ‘Brewed’, which will focus on the New Zealand craft brewing industry. It will feature his own entry into the Festive Brew category of the BrewNZ Beer Awards, which he has brewed collaboratively with New Zealand’s Epic Brewing Company.

David Cryer, Chairman of the Brewers Guild of New Zealand, says that the rise in entries reflects the growth of the premium craft brewing industry in New Zealand, as well as growing demand by consumers for premium quality craft beer. “New Zealand now has more than 50 breweries around the country ranging from tiny enterprises from as far south as Invercargill, right through to the larger breweries such as Lion Nathan and DB,” he says. “Over the last year we’ve seen an 11% growth in premium craft beer sales, while overall beer consumption has declined by about 5%. This increase is following a similar pattern seen internationally with consumers’ growing interest in craft beer.”

At Beervana, the public sampling event held at the Wellington Town Hall on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 August, people will have the opportunity to taste many of the award winning beers, hear Sam Calagione speak, meet brewers and enjoy other activities such as beer and food matching seminars with Martin Bosley and beer expert Neil Miller.


Ends.


More about the BrewNZ Beer Awards: http://brewersguild.org.nz/brewnz-beer-awards-august-2010
More about Beervana: www.beervana.co.nz

Liquorland is the major sponsor of the 2010 BrewNZ Beer Awards.




Definition of Craft Beer
Source: Citigroup Global Markets Citi Investment Research and Analysis, Thirsty Thoughts: Edition 26, 12 May 2010 and David Cryer, Chairman of Brewers Guild of New Zealand.

While there is no one definition of Craft Beer, Citi says it has three main characteristics: it’s brewed using traditional methods; it’s small scale and labour intensive micro rather than using automated systems; and it’s priced at a premium level over global premium brands. David Cryer describes it as a product made using the best ingredients available, made via manual manufacturing methods and is a super premium price category all on its own. “Craft is more dear than premium and has a big local aspect to it just like other artisan products,” says David Cryer.