Karamu

From ChinChiller, the production arm of Christchurch’s Brew Academy, this curiously-named pilsner refers to the Covid-19 elbow-handshake that was ubiquitous around the time it was first being brewed.  A battery of New Zealand hops (Wai-iti, Motueka, Pacifica, Riwaka) drives an absolutely gorgeous noble aroma.  Fresh cut hay, lime citrus, white grape and daphne with a big drizzle of clean maltiness.  More citrus and herbaceous notes on the palate, along with a big crunchy malt and gripping bitterness.  A remarkable balancing act of a pilsner that massively delivers on the both the hop and malt character, while keeping taut and thoroughly contained throughout. A deserving bronze medal winner at the recent Brewers Guild Awards.

Karamu Barrelworks — A Victory for The Style

by | July 30, 2026 | Cover Story | 0 Comments

A couple of days after being named New Zealand's champion brewery, Daryl Bryant of Karamu Barrelworks dropped off 40 dozen bottles of his wild-fermented beer to online seller The Beer Cellar — the best place to shop if you're looking for one of his unique bottles,...
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Bringing It All Back Home — Emerson’s Golden Night

by | July 27, 2026 | Cover Story | 0 Comments

Dunedin's Emerson's Brewery are home-town heroes after a golden night at the New Zealand Beer Awards on July 25. Emerson's won the champion large brewery title, ending Garage Project's reign — GP had won four of the past five large brewery crowns, with Parrotdog...
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NZ Brewing Shock As Major Malt Supplier Shuts

by | July 17, 2026 | Cover Story | 0 Comments

The New Zealand brewing industry is set for a massive shock after France-based multi-national Malteurop announced they will close their malt plant in Marton at the end of September. Malteurop is the main supplier of malt to New Zealand’s big three breweries — Lion, DB...
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Spirit Of Derelict Lives On At No 19 Brewing

by | July 17, 2026 | Features | 0 Comments

The win by No 19 Brewing in the NZ Stout Challenge on July 11 in Christchurch has a direct connection to one of the country’s most celebrated but short-lived breweries: the newcomers are creating their beer on the brew kit once owned by Derelict. No 19 Brewing are...
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Wilding Working Wonders For The Wilderness

by | July 16, 2026 | Features | 0 Comments

Kudos to the team at Froth Technologies for the work they’re doing with their New Zealand native yeast, Wilding. I’ve always enjoyed the handful of beers where Wilding has turned up: notably the first brew Emerson’s did to showcase the yeast as well as Three Sisters...
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Flood Shuts Emporium Brewing

by | July 15, 2026 | News | 0 Comments

Emporium Brewing in Kaikoura will be closed until further notice following the devastating flood that roared through the town last week. Owner-brewer Paul Finney has just had insurance assessors through the premises which includes a brewery, bar, escape rooms, and a...
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