A Belgian Amber Ale has been named Supreme Winner in the Top 30 of this year’s New World Beer & Cider Awards.

Warkworth brewery 8 Wired made the winning brew, Desperate Glory - Oud Bruin, which Chair of Judges Michael Donaldson describes as “complex and sublime”.

“This is a traditional ale,” says Donaldson. “Think dates, brown sugar and sweet spice, that was aged in bourbon barrels and then blended with Chinese Keemun tea, adding vanilla, cherry, light floral and cocoa characters in as well.”

Champion Cider went to Peckham’s Cider of Nelson for their Hazy Apple Cider. Made with 100% heritage apples, unfiltered, and wild fermented, the judges described its aroma and taste as “divine”, comparing it to spiced apple cake.

The 2024 competition received more than 600 entries, each of which was assessed by an independent panel of experts.

The Top 30 beers and ciders will available in New World stores nationwide for four weeks from Monday 20 May.

Other notable names in the Top 30 include Dunedin’s Emerson’s Brewery with four Top 30 spots (London Porter, Reverb NZ IPA, Super Quench Lower Carb Pacific Pilsner, and Mexicoco Chocolate Chili Porter ) and last year’s Supreme Winner, Taupo’s Lakeman, with three spots for Big Hairy APA, Taupo Thunder NZ Pale Ale and Primate Pilsner.

No-alc entries showed well in the Top 30 as well, with places for Epic’s Super Zero IPA, Bach Brewing’s All Day Original Non Alc IPA , and Zeffer’s 0% Passionfruit Cider.

Garage Project’s Pickle Beer scored a Top 30 spot with its lightly sour beer brewed with cucumbers and pickle spices, including dill, mustard seeds and a touch of habanero chilli.

Donaldson also notes a win for Wanaka brewery b.effect. “Most years we also see a small and first-time winner showcase the depth of quality around Aotearoa, and this year it’s Wānaka’s b.effect with their Social Experiment West Coast IPA. Even better, this previously one-off brew will now be available again for beer fans to try.”

Top 30 - 2024 New World Beer & Cider Awards

• 8 Wired Desperate Glory - Oud Bruin *SUPREME WINNER*"     

• 8 Wired Lo-Fi Raspberry Sour Ale         

• b.effect Social Experiment West Coast IPA        

• Bach Brewing ALL DAY ORIGINAL Non-alc IPA 

• Beer Baroness Slice Of Heaven

• Brave Brewing Co - Terrible Lizards       

• Brew Moon Waipara New England IPA  

• Emerson's London Porter         

• Emerson's Mexicoco Chocolate Chili Porter       

• Emerson's Reverb NZ IPA        

• Emerson's Super Quench Lower Carb Pacific Pilsner     

• Epic Super Zero IPA     

• Garage Project Bliss Lager       

• Garage Project Pickle Beer       

• Hallertau Summer Time Haze   

• Lakeman Big Hairy APA

• Lakeman Primate Pilsner          

• Lakemans Taupo Thunder NZ Pale Ale  

• McLeod's Longboard Lager       

• Morningcider BLACK    

• Mount Brewing Co Crazy Hazy Daze     

• Mount Brewing Co Muito Bom   

• Panhead Port Road Pilsner       

• Panhead Supercharger APA     

• Parrotdog Thunderbird  

• "Peckham's Hazy Apple Cider *CHAMPION CIDER*"     

• Sprig + Fern The G.O.A.T Doppelbock  

• Steinlager Classic        

• Three Sisters Wild One #1        

• Zeffer 0% Alcohol Passionfruit Cider

W: See all the winners, including the 20 Highly Commended brews at newworld.co.nz/Top30