Beer lovers are being encouraged to rethink the traditional boundaries of their favourite drop ahead of next weekend's Fourth Greater Wellington Regional BrewDay craft beer festival in Martinborough.
Festival director Karen Aitken said long gone are the days when the only beer offered was a draught or a lager. She said this year's event, being held in a rural festival site a short walk from the Martinborough Town Square on Saturday, February 27 will bring together 21 breweries, distilleries and cideries from around the region.
Of these, several will debut new releases on the day while Eugene Black, Brewery Manager for The Occasional Brewer is running a home brew competition.
"This year the festival will encourage people to challenge their interpretation of different beer styles and this is led by many brewers releasing distinctive beers for the day and through our home-brew competition, which will be judged by a tasting panel including Neil Miller, Kelly Ryan, Ellery Turner and competition organiser Eugene Black," said Ms Aitken.
"The panel is looking for great tasting, well balanced beers. Whether it's a perfect example of a particular style, or a new creation they've yet to experience, we love it when people get creative with their brews, as long as it tastes great."
