The Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) were held in Melbourne last week with 1170 entries from 243 breweries across 34 countries.  One of those 34 countries was New Zealand and a number of local brewers, directors, writers and plain old beer fans were in attendance at the rather opulent Palladium Ballroom in the Crown Casino.

Overall, New Zealand brewers delivered a strong showing at the Awards including two trophies on the night - Emerson’s Weizenbock beating some German classics to win Champion Wheat Beer and Scott’s Pale Ale six-pack holder winning Champion Packaging.

Here is, I believe, a comprehensive list of the Kiwi medal winners showing the name of the beer, the medal and the availability (or otherwise) at Malthouse. *  The results are presented alphabetically without editorial comment. **

8Wired Hopwired – Bronze – when available

DB Export Dry – Silver - bottle
DB Export 33 – Silver – bottle
DB Export Gold – Bronze - tap

Emerson’s Weizenbock – Gold – when available
Emerson’s Weissbier – Silver – when available
Emerson’s Bookbinder – Silver - tap
Emerson’s 1812 – Bronze - bottle
Emerson’s Pilsner – Bronze *** - bottle

Epic Pale Ale – Bronze - tap
Epic Armageddon IPA – Bronze **** - when available

Harrington’s Strongman Lager – Gold – possibly in the future
Harrington’s Rogue Hop – Silver – possibly in the future
Harrington’s Pig and Whistle – Silver – possibly in the future
Harrington’s East Indies Lager – Bronze - no
Harrington’s Classy Red – Bronze - no

Hawke’s Bay Pilsner – Bronze - no

Invercargill Smokin’ Bishop – Silver – when available
Invercargill Pitch Black – Bronze - bottle
Invercargill Boysenbeery – Bronze - bottle

Kaimai Golden Rye Ale – Bronze - no

Lion Steinlager Edge – Silver- bottle
Lion Steinlager Classic – Bronze - no

Monteith’s Original – Silver - tap
Monteith’s Black – Silver – bottle
Monteith’s Celtic Red – Bronze – bottle
Monteith’s Summer – Bronze – when available

Renaissance Perfection Pale Ale – Silver - bottle
Renaissance Discovery APA – Silver – coming on tap
Renaissance Paradox Blonde – Silver – when available
Renaissance Elemental Porter – Silver – coming on tap

Scott’s Pale Ale (Gluten-Free) – Silver (Packaging - bottle) - bottle
Scott’s Pale Ale (Gluten-Free) – Gold (Packaging – six pack) - bottle

Speight’s Old Dark – Silver - no
Speight’s Porter – Silver - no
Speight’s Pilsner – Bronze - no
Speight’s Distinction – Bronze - no

Steam Cock and Bull Monk’s Habit – Gold – coming on tap
Steam Cock and Bull Blue Goose – Silver - no
Steam Cock and Bull Fuggles – Silver - no
Steam Cock and Bull Dark Star – Silver – no
Steam Cock and Bull Ti Rakau Light Ale – Silver - no
Steam Cock and Bull Dirty Blonde – Bronze - no

Tuatara Hefe – Silver – tap
Tuatara IPA – Silver - tap
Tuatara Pilsner – Silver - tap
Tuatara Porter – Silver - tap

Tui – Bronze ***** - tap

Yeastie Boys Pot Kettle Black – Silver - bottle

Renaissance was a finalist for Champion Small Brewery while Harrington’s surprised everyone ****** by reaching the finals for Champion Large Brewery.  Those titles were won by Norway’s Nogne O and Germany’s Weihenstephan respectively.  Nogne 0 then took Champion Exhibitor overall while the Best New Exhibitor was Big Sky Brewing from Canada.

This meant that none of the big four categories went to Australian brewers – or even Southern Hemisphere brewers.  In fact, of the 15 trophies awarded, only 4 went to Australian companies – and one of those categories was for best Victorian beer.  This rather contributed to a rather flat atmosphere on the evening.

More fundamentally, it meant that no Australian brewery got the profile and marketing boost associated with being crowned as a Champion Brewery.  I think our BrewNZ Beer Awards format is superior with trophies awarded for Champion New Zealand Brewery and Champion International Brewery.  Previous local winners Tuatara and Emerson’s have used their champion status prominently in marketing efforts and it can really encourage consumers to try more craft beer.

This is perhaps just another instance where we are one step ahead of our neighbours across the ditch.

Finally, Tuatara APA was launched last night and is tasting great.  Pop in and try some soon.

* This in no way implies Malthouse is the only place in Wellington stocking these beers.  Indeed, in most cases - on merit - they would be widely available.
** Apart from all these endnotes.
*** What the heck?
**** See endnote ** above.
***** In the Australian Pale Ale class no less.
****** Including Mr Harrington.

Cheers

Beer Writer
Real Beer New Zealand
Beer and Brewer Magazine

Links

Australian International Beer Awards - http://www.beerawards.com/index.asp
BrewNZ Beer Awards - http://brewersguild.org.nz/brewnz-beer-awards-august-2010
Malthouse on Twitter - http://twitter.com/malthouse
Malthouse Facebook Group - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wellington/Malthouse/7084276173
Real Beer – http://www.realbeer.co.nz/blog/blog.html
Beer and Brewer Magazine - http://www.beerandbrewer.com/