Silver for Arrowtown’s Berriman’s cider
Months after its commercial launched, Arrowtown’s own Berrimans Cider has already earned a silver medal at the prestigious BrewNZ Awards.
Berrimans Cidery, the brainchild of Jay Berriman and his wife Lyn Hamilton, was one of just five cideries to earn medals in the Ciders and Perries class at the annual awards staged in Wellington last week.
“We are really thrilled to get the recognition and the confirmation that we’re definitely on the right track,” Lyn said.
Hailed around the world as an alternate option to wine, the refreshing tipple is fast establishing a niche locally.
“It’s something new to the New Zealand palate but I think it’s going to be really popular,” Lyn said.
For Jay – a Bristol native who struggled to find a decent cider to tantalise his tastebuds on this side of the globe – Berrimans Cider was effectively born out of necessity.
“He (Jay) heard about these two guys in Invercargill making really good beer and followed the muddy track to their shed,” Lyn said.
“He came home really excited about making his own cider and it just all grew from there.”
It was the start of a successful relationship with father and son duo Gerry and Steve Nally, of Invercargill Brewery, who now contract brew Berrimans Cider on their behalf.
“Invercargill Brewery’s space, expertise and guidance has been fantastic,” Lyn said.
“They allow us to make our cider in traditional fashion with still pressing the apples.”
Mr Nally believed passion was instrumental in the cider’s success.
“Jay’s a very enthusiastic cider drinker – he has that all-important passion,” he said.
“Cider is very much an up-and-coming beverage … it’s got its own funkiness but still retains that lovely traditional aspect to it as well.”
Tradition was a key ingredient for Berrimans Cider, with the couple establishing their own English Cider apple orchard in Arrowtown with the aim of making vintage ciders once the trees mature.
“Settlers into Arrowtown would have planted their own apple trees and created cider … we’re just reviving something that happened in the early days,” Lyn said.
And it’s proving a hit amongst locals and tourists alike.
“The big drawcard for all the people who sell Berrimans cider is that fact that it’s local and made from Central Otago apples,” Lyn said.
“We’re a visitor destination and people want to enjoy an authentic experience.”
One Queenstown bar, Atlas, has a hat-trick of award-winning local breweries on offer with Berrimans Cider joining Invercargill Brewery and Dunedin’s Emerson’s Brewery – named New Zealand Brewery of the Year at the BrewNZ Awards – on tap.
Owner Davey McKenzie said the trio were proving popular.
“In terms of what’s on offer now, especially in Queenstown, we have secured three of the best quality, highest profile and reasonably-priced brews in the country,” he said.
“It’s the only way to go in today’s climate and it’s great to be able to support our local producers.”
Ends
For further information or to arrange a photograph, contact:
Lyn Hamilton
Berriman’s Cider
0272 225 856
Steve Nally
Invercargill Brewery
03 214 5070