Moa strikes Irish gold in craft beer contest

Moa picked up a total of seven medals at the Dublin Craft Beer Cup held over the weekend. Photograph / Dean Purcell.

Some good news for troubled craft brewer Moa.

The NZX-listed company has stuck Irish gold at the Dublin Craft Beer Cup with its beers taking home seven medals - the biggest haul amongst brewers at the competition.

The Marlborough brewery's Moa Noir, a European style dark lager claimed the gold in the European lager section whilst Moa's Pale Ale, St Josephs, Southern Alps and Royal ales took silver in their respective categories.

The timing could not have been any better with Moa's first shipment to Ireland only weeks away from hitting the water, said Moa head brewer David Nicholls.

"It's great to see our beers continue to feature at the sharp end of beer competitions all over the world, especially given... highly regarded American breweries entered beers into these awards," Nicholls said.

More than 80 craft breweries from 18 different countries took part in the beer cup.

Other medal-winning New Zealand craft brewers included Schippers which won three silver medals (for its Scallywag Amber Ale, Herr X Vienna Lager and Golden Geezer beers) and a bronze for its Chinook India Pale Ale.

Marlborough craft brewer Renaissance took home a silver medal for its MPA Double India Pale Ale.

Danish brewery Coisbo Beer claimed the coveted Dublin Cup for best beer with their Russian Imperial Stout.

Moa shares are up 6.6 per cent today to 65c. The stock listed at $1.25 in November 2012.

Last year the company confirmed its annual sales volumes would be 30 per cent less than the 195,000-case target in its initial public offer prospectus.