Kapiti does well in beer brewing awards

Team Tuatara, from left, Blair Harley, Malcolm Bain, Braden Drake, Jacob Tenberge, Carl Vasta, Simone Vasta, Sam White, Andrew Yanetta, Andy Daniels. Photo: Linton Photography Ltd

Kapiti's three craft beer brewing companies have received numerous medals in the Brewers Guild of New Zealand Awards.

The awards, which were held in Christchurch, in the Airforce Museum of New Zealand, celebrate excellence in the brewing industry.

"The awards are held in esteem worldwide due to the reputation of all involved in organising, staging and judging the event, with a world-class selection of judges from New Zealand, Australia, America and beyond," the guild said.

"This diversity of background and quality of judging ensures that the awards have a huge reputation across the globe as one of the most prestigious accolades a brewer can win."

Tuatara Brewery, in Paraparaumu, achieved 14 medals including best in class/gold for Kapai APA, best in class/gold for Belgian Tripel, silver medals for Coastin' Session IPA, Mot Eureka Pilsner, Prince Albert ESB, Iti PA, and bronze medals for Sauvinova PA, Double Trouble PA, XV Russian Imperial Stout, Hi Res US IPA, Moolah Choc Milk Stout, Belgian Dubbel, Ich Bin Saur Berliner Weisse (keg only), Amarillo American Dark Ale.

"Getting a best in class for one beer, let alone two this year was awesome," Carl Vasta, Tuatara founder and master brewer, said.

He said the number of medals was an amazing endorsement in what had become a very competitive and high-quality craft sector.

"Every year we've been involved in the awards there's been some great achievements.

"We are a tight-knit team, proud of our Kapiti roots, so any success is down to everyone's contribution and honestly, it comes down to a love of making great tasting beer."

North End Brewing Company, in Waikanae, received 12 medals, including a gold medal for its Rhum Visitation, silver medals for Super Alpha, Grisette Brett Reserve, Pit Boss, Table de Brasseur, and bronze medals for Amber, Old Island, Eucharist, Become the Ocean, Oude Draak, Visitation, Iron Sands.

North End Brewing Company head brewer Kieran Haslett-Moore with a handful of medals.

"We were really pleased to see how consistent the quality of our beer was," head brewer Kieran Haslett-Moore said.

Duncan's Brewing Company, in Paraparaumu, achieved four medals including silver for Juniper IPA, silver for Duncan's Pale Ale, bronzes for Big George Double IPA and Duncan's Pilsner.

Waimateo Familton and George Duncan with medals from the Brewers Guild of New Zealand Awards.

"We are really pleased with our performance at the awards," brewery owner George Duncan said.

"It's great that we won four awards within the first year of Duncan's Brewery being in production.

"We would have been happy winning one award, but to win four, including silvers for our Pale Ale and Juniper was awesome."