Invercargill beer rated on global scale
Invercargill Brewery’s award-winning Smokin’ Bishop has reinforced its reputation as one of the world’s finest brews. Smokin’ Bishop has been selected to feature in a new publication, 1001 Beers You Must Drink Before You Die – one of just 15 New Zealand beers to get the nod.
“Given that it is an absolutely classic example of the style, in my opinion it deserves its place,” renowned beer judge Geoff Griggs, of Blenheim, said. “It’s just so unusual. It’s iconic in that it features a New Zealand ingredient in the honey and it’s a rare style – there aren’t too many smoked beers around the world.”
Invercargill Brewery owner Steve Nally was thrilled his creation had earned inclusion. “To have some of the world’s best beer connoisseurs’ judge your brew among the top 1001 is extremely satisfying and actually quite humbling,” he said.
An experienced beer writer whose expert palate earned him judging duties at the World Beer Cup last year, Mr Griggs was approached by the book’s publishers Quintessence Publishing to gauge if any New Zealand beers made the top echelon.
New Zealand beers held their own on the global stage. “Our best beers are truly world class and even our most mediocre brews are no less impressive than any other country’s,” Mr Griggs said.”
“We box well above our weight, especially with regard to the range of beers we produce.”
Of the 15 beers chosen, 10 hailed from the South Island and were predominantly from micro-breweries.
“My experience is that the beer gets better the further away from the equator you get … and that bodes well for Invercargill,” he said.
The deep south had two of New Zealand’s finest in Invercargill Brewery and Emerson’s Brewery in Dunedin.
“There were certain beers that stood out and certain breweries … there was never any doubt that a beer from those breweries would be included, it was more a case of picking which one.”
Boutique beers were beating the recession with Mr Griggs noticing a migration of wine drinkers to beer.
“Everywhere I go I’m seeing that craft beer is holding up really well and growing whereas wine and spirits are flat … the only growth area in the alcohol market at the moment is craft beer,” he said.
“There are so many people out there that have it in their heads that beer is a bland, fizzy product and wine is where all the interesting things are, and that’s simply not the case.”
Sampling local beer was a delectable way to experience the unique flavour of a region.
“Wherever I go in the world, I take the opportunity to try some local beers. I go out of my way to try something I haven’t tasted before.”
Mr Nally said Smokin’ Bishop was a permanent seasonal beer on Invercargill Brewery’s winter menu and would be available from July 1.
“The fact the first batch of 1200 litres has already been presold is a good reflection of its popularity,” he said.