Golden moments at BrewNZ Awards
Recognition on the global stage rated “nothing short of brilliant” for Invercargill Brewery owner Steve Nally.
The southern brewer was the toast of the beer world after taking out two best in class sections at the BrewNZ awards in Wellington on Thursday night.
His boutique brewery also added another two gold medals to its repertoire as its B.man brew won the Classic New Zealand styled beer category and its Boysenbeery beer secured top honours in the fruit, spiced, herb flavoured section – which Invercargill Brewery won last year with Smokin’ Bishop.
“It’s kind of numbing because it is a big thing. It’s going to take me a while to get my head around it,” Mr Nally said.
“It’s also for Jill, Pru, Gina, Amanda and Mum and Dad – it’s paying back all those people that have helped me and believed in me.”
Mr Nally, who was in Australia when the winners were unveiled, said his Wood Street operation was regarded as one of the best experimental breweries in the country, and Boysenbeery’s success reinforced that.
“It’s cutting edge to turn something like that into a commercial product and then have international judges say “this is stunning” – knowing the industry and getting accolades from that industry is really special.”
BeerNZ owner Craig Bowen, who accepted the awards on Mr Nally’s behalf, said leading beer connoisseurs were singing Invercargill Brewery’s praises.
“I don’t mind being the pack horse and lugging these trophies around,” he said.
Of the 12 top awards contested by 49 breweries from around the world, just one went offshore which spoke volumes about New Zealand’s beer brewing nous.
“There’s no excuse for drinking bad beer in New Zealand because there is real quality out there. Invercargill Brewery proves that,” Mr Bowen said.
Wellington’s Tuatara Brewing was named the best brewery in New Zealand, also earning two best in class.
“Invercargill would have been very close to being the best brewery but Tuatara snuck in with a third gold medal,” Mr Bowen said.
But the triumph of B.man, a New Zealand Strong Pilsner, proved the highlight.
“It’s one of the most hotly contested styles – that’s generally where the bulk of the entries are so to fend off a number of others – including three gold medals – and be judged supreme is brilliant,” he said.