Record entries for New World Beer & Cider Awards
Judges in this year’s New World Beer & Cider Awards have assessed nearly 700 entries in a day of judging held across three regions, with the Hazy IPA and Pale Ale class drawing the most submissions.
In a first for the competition’s eight-year history, judging took place across three regional events in Auckland, Wellington and Nelson – instead of a single, larger tasting.
Organisers say that the change was to ensure the competition could go ahead as safely and effectively as possible during New Zealand’s evolving Omicron response.
Chair of Judges Michael Donaldson headed up three teams of more than 30 expert judges (brewers, cidermakers and brewing experts) via video link on judging day, with tastings running simultaneously at each location.
Stewarding underway at the New World Beer & Cider Awards in Wellington this week.
“The judging panels had their work cut out for them with more entries than ever this year,” says Donaldson. “Just shy of 700 beers, ciders, seltzers, alcoholic ginger beers and kombuchas from 100 New Zealand breweries and distributors.”
This year’s biggest and fastest-growing class was the Hazy IPA and Pale Ale class – with more than 130 entries.
The back of house and stewarding teams were assisted by local hospitality teams and the Brewers Guild of New Zealand to pour and serve more than 2,300 samples for the judging panels.
“The scale and intensity of this judging was significant, and it was no small feat to have it all underway across three locations. The willingness of everyone involved is a real testament to the important role the Awards have in celebrating the industry and the opportunity a win represents for brewers.”
The top-ranking entries will make up the New World Beer & Cider Awards Top 30 and will be sold in 140 New World supermarkets around New Zealand and receive comprehensive promotional support.
A further 70 Highly Commended brews will round out the Top 100 list to be published online, and an overall Supreme Winner will also be named.
Results will be available later in the year.
