Winners revealed in NZ Beer Awards
The winners in the New Zealand Beer Awards 2024 have been revealed, with a Christchurch brewery taking out the top honour.
More than 300 industry professionals gathered for the awards ceremony in Auckland, with Trophies awarded to those judged the best of more than 700 entries from around the country.
The prestigious Overall Champion Brewing Company award went to Three Boys Brewery from Christchurch, a title they also held in 2022. McLeod’s Brewery from Waipu received the Champion New Zealand Beer trophy for their India Pale Ale, Tropical Cyclone, and also won the Champion Medium Brewery title.
The Brewers Guild says that the quality and quantity of the entries exceeded expectations, marking a significant milestone for the awards.
“We’re over the moon with both the number of entries and their quality in the 2024 competition,” said Melanie Kees, Executive Director of the Brewers Guild of New Zealand. “One of the key drivers behind the New Zealand Beer Awards, apart from celebrating our exceptional local beers, is to recognize and uphold high standards. This year, we saw a 14% increase in the success rate for medals, with 77% of all entries receiving a medal. This is a testament to the outstanding quality of New Zealand beer, which is fantastic news for both brewers and consumers.”
The Specialty & Experimental category emerged as the largest, followed closely by the Stout & Porter, and NZ Lager & NZ Pilsner categories.
Champion Award Winners
Champion Micro Brewery: Fork & Brewer, Wellington
Champion Small Brewery: Shining Peak Brewing, New Plymouth
Champion Medium Brewery: McLeod’s Brewery, Waipu
Champion Large Brewery: Parrotdog, Wellington
Overall Champion New Zealand Brewing Company: Three Boys Brewery, Christchurch
Champion New Zealand Manufacturer: Steam Brewing, Auckland
Champion New Zealand Beer: McLeod’s Brewery, Waipu – Tropical Cyclone
Beer Trophy Winners
International Lager: Parrotdog L.B. Cold IPA
NZ IPA, NZ Pale & NZ Draughts: Shining Peak Brewing Detained & Fabulous
NZ Lager & NZ Pilsner: Parrotdog Sundog
British & European Ale: Isthmus Brewing Gone Troppo
Amber/Dark Lager & Ale: Sprig + Fern Brewing Co The G.O.A.T Doppelbock
International Pale Ale: McLeod’s Brewery Blue Sky
No, Low & Reduced Alcohol: Good George Brewing Virtual Reality Non Alcoholic Pale Ale
Indian Pale Ale: McLeod’s Brewery Tropical Cyclone
Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale: Beer Baroness Slice of Heaven
Juicy/Hazy IPA: Bach Brewing Co. Bungy Smuggler NZ Hazy IPA
Stout & Porter: Mount Brewing Co. Shades of the Pacific
Wheat & Other Grain: Panhead Custom Ales Batch 293, German Wheat
Fruit & Flavoured: Behemoth Brewing Company Ltd Triple Chocolate Milk Stout
Specialty & Experimental: Three Boys Brewery Three Boys Raspberry Gose
Wood & Barrel Aged: Shining Peak Brewing Vintage Stout 2021
Industry Award Winners
Brewing Sustainability Award: Sawmill Brewery
Beer Tourism Award: Altitude Brewing
Packaging Award: Hop Federation
Morton Coutts Award for Innovation: Clayton Hops
W: For a full list of Trophy and medal winners visit brewersguild.org.nz
