Judging has literally just finished at the inaugural New World Beer and Cider Awards. A panel of twelve expert judges spent two full days evaluating over 350 beers and ciders at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium. They have picked fourteen best in class winners and awarded gold, silver and bronze medals to the best made drinks they sampled.
Over-seeing the process was Chair of Judges Neil Miller, Head of Content for New Zealand Liquor News and New Zealand Beer Writer of the Year 2014. The table captains were Kieran Haslett-Moore (brewer at North End Brewing, beer retailer and experienced beer judge), Kelly Ryan (brewer at the Fork & Brewer and international beer judge), and Stephanie Coutts (founder of the Craft Beer College and a key organiser for several Beervana festivals). The Awards Chief Steward was Craig Bowen who has run numerous beer awards and ensured the competition was met the highest international standards.
The fourteen categories in the New World Beer and Cider Awards are:
New Zealand Lager
International Lager
Pilsner
Speciality Lager
Pale Ale
India Pale Ale and American Pale Ale
Strong Ale
Speciality Ale
Wheat Beer
Stout and Porter
Fruit, Flavoured and Speciality Beer
Lower strength beers
Apple and Pear Cider
Fruit and Flavoured Cider
The winners of each category will be promoted in stores. There will also be professional tasting notes and food matches published for each of the winning beers. New World is delighted at the large number of entries in the first year of a new competition and the strong support of key industry figures. As one judge noted “it is a tough job but someone has to do it.”
For more information – http://www.newworld.co.nz/wine-and-beer/beer-and-cider-awards-2014/
