Two of the regions most popular breweries are hoping for the best this weekend at the Brewers Guild of New Zealand awards.
The Croucher Brewing Company from Rotorua and Aotearoa Breweries from Kawerau are heading to Auckland's SkyCity for the awards and have their eyes on the top prize.
Tammy Viitakangas, head brewer at Aotearoa Breweries, has been entering the awards since she began Aotearoa Breweries 10 years ago, she said.
"The scene is entirely different from when we first started.
"It is always quite nail biting in a little way. The awards are not everything for the business but they do help to see how your beer matches against new beers and breweries in the market."