As a result, readers at this time of year are all too often confronted with various ‘best-of’ lists which are textbook examples of lazy journalism – simple cut-and-paste jobs based on whatever was top of mind when the writer’s deadline loomed largest.  

I’m almost envious.  I mean, don’t get me wrong.  I do it too.  I have produced a top ten beers column for the last four years.  Naturally, these lists are always subjective and invariably based on personal tastes and biases.  Everyone’s preferences are different which is why the top ten is always the most debated column. 

No, the only reason I’m envious is that my top ten is the opposite of lazy – it involves a lot of work.  Here is the article as it appeared in The Wellingtonian newspaper:

“My now traditional column about the top ten beers of the year involves perusing tasting notes, results and articles.  It’s not easy comparing a beer I had on rainy July night with one I had last week in the sun.”

Clearly, my preference is for hoppy, bitter and strong ales but other styles are represented.  The main criteria for inclusion was that the beers had to be New Zealand-made and be able to be located in pubs, bottle stores and supermarkets. * (Last year’s rankings are included in brackets.)

10. Croucher Pilsner (NEW) – This crisp, dry pilsner has a new lease of life in 2010 and was deservedly crowned best lager at the BrewNZ Beer Awards.

9. Epic Pale Ale (3) – Hoppier beers may have emerged but Epic Pale Ale remains an eminently flavoursome yet drinkable brew.

8. Invercargill Pitch Black Stout (8) – A smooth, silky drop which can convert even the most hardened stout sceptic.
 
7. Three Boys Oyster Stout (6) – Christchurch beer drawing on an old Victorian tradition (brewing with oysters) to create a smooth, chocolately stout.

6. Brew Moon Hophead IPA (NEW) – Making a welcome return to the capital, this Amberley beer is lively, spicy and hoppy.

5. Epic Armageddon (1) – Booming citrus flavours and a sky-high level of hoppiness keeps Armageddon in the top five for a third consecutive year.

4. Mike’s IIPA (NEW) – This rare Double India Pale Ale is a departure of style for Mike’s Organic Brewery and a hop-fuelled home run.

3. 8Wired Hopwired (2) – An absolute showcase of New Zealand hops from a guerrilla brewery in Blenheim.

2. Yeastie Boys Yakima Monster (NEW) – The Yeastie Boys are always innovative, this time unleashing the intensity of American hops.

1. Tuatara APA (NEW) – The brewer has long wanted to make this juicy American Pale Ale and it has been well worth the wait.” 

Debate is sure to rage in this blog’s comments section ** but the proper place for such a discussion is at the bar over a few of the beers in question.  During the course of 2010, all of the top ten were available at Malthouse at some point on tap with the exception, I believe, of the Croucher Pilsner. 

I really like the beers coming out of Amberley at the moment and it is great seeing them return to select Wellington shelves.  I, for one, will be lobbying The Handsome Yet Softly Spoken Scottish Proprietor Colin to put on another keg of Hophead in the near future.  Heck, even if only I drink the beer it will still probably be commercially viable for him.

Looking back, 2010 was a very good year for craft beer in New Zealand despite the tough economic conditions overall.  Some new breweries emerged, a number have expanded and craft beer sales continue to grow, albeit with the rate dropping in the second half of the year.  BrewNZ was a significant success and beer is starting to get a bit more respect and coverage in the media, though of course there is still a lot of work to be done.

It is worth sounding a note of caution too.  There is a danger of a backlash if the craft beer sector becomes seen as too insular or, frankly, too snobby.  This was bought home to me by a passage from an excellent book called “Medium Raw – A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People who Cook” by celebrity chef and talented writer Anthony Bourdain.  In general, I admire his honesty, candour and, at times, anger with what he sees in the industry and on his plate.

However, this passage was a little disconcerting because it is written by a man who celebrates flavour and provenance in his food and drink selections.  He is a man who loves his alcohol and looks to support artisan producers.  The language is a little complicated – even by his own high standards – so footnotes are provided.  Bourdain railed:
 
“Order a Heineken in Portland or San Francisco – or just about anywhere these days – and be prepared to be sneered at by some locavore *** beer nerd, all too happy to tell you about some hoppy, malty, micro-brewed concoction, redolent of strawberries and patchouli ****, that they are making in a cellar nearby.  Unless, of course, you opt for post-ironic retro – in which case that ‘silo’ of PBR ***** will come with a cover charge and an asphyxiating miasma ******* of hipness.”

Over-zealousness can create a backlash – even when you are absolutely right.

* The submitted article had a broader definition requiring “that the average consumer had some chance of locating them in pubs, bottle stores and supermarkets over the course of the year.  They could not be too exclusive.”   
** If we had any idea how to turn comments on without getting drowned in spam.  A man can only win a gigantic European lottery requiring just a small processing fee to proceed so many times in one week…
*** Locavore = people who prefer to consume local produce.
**** Patchouli = oil used in many perfumes.
***** PBR = Pabst Blue Ribbon – a traditional working class lager.  Now inexplicably cool again.
****** Miasma = heavy vapours, usually used negatively.

Cheers


Beer Writer
Real Beer New Zealand
Beer and Brewer Magazine

Links

The Wellingtonian – http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/4558817/Wellington-beer-on-a-roll
Croucher Brewing – www.croucherbrewing.co.nz
Croucher Blog (must read) – http://blog.croucherbrewing.co.nz/
Epic Brewing Company – http://epicbeer.com/
Invercargill Brewery – http://www.invercargillbrewery.co.nz/
Three Boys Brewery – http://www.threeboysbrewery.co.nz/
Brew Moon – http://www.brewmooncafe.co.nz/index.php/the-brewery
Mike’s Organic Brewery – http://www.organicbeer.co.nz/
8Wired Brewing Company – http://www.8wired.co.nz/
Yeastie Boys – http://www.yeastieboys.co.nz/
Tuatara Brewing Company – http://www.tuatarabrewing.co.nz/
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 
Beer and Brewer Magazine – http://www.beerandbrewer.com/