Fork & Brewer

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.

Forkin’ Big Win for Little Wellington BrewPub

Brayden Rawlinson, sole brewer at Wellington brewpub, Fork & Brewer, celebrated his recent win at the NZ Brewers Guild Awards in August, nabbing 11 medals and the title of Aotearoa’s Champion Microbrewery.  He took time out from a brewery-hopping jaunt in Europe...

McLeod’s On Cloud Nine

It’s a tough choice for Jason Bathgate — is he happier with McLeod’s winning the Champion Medium Brewery title or Tropical Cyclone winning the Champion Beer at the New Zealand Beer Awards in August? After just a brief pause, he’s matter of fact: “I’d have to say the...

Instagratification: Dusty’s best of the latest releases

Photographer, beer-lover and Instagram influencer Dusty, picks his highlights from the latest releases CANYON BREWING TO CENTRAL WITH LOVE Take a seat — this one is a ride! To Central With Love is a barrel-aged pinot noir wild ale, an all Central Otago colab, ft...

Parrotdog’s Core Range Rolling In Gold

The retraction in the beer economy over the past two years has an upside for Parrotdog — better beers. The Lyall Bay outfit won the Champion Large Brewery at the recent NZ Beer Awards, claiming two trophies, four gold medals and a 100 per cent success rate, with 20...

Urbanaut Atlanta Bright IPA

It seems 2024 is turning into of the ‘year of the bright IPA’ with phenomenal releases rolling out one after the other, many of them in super affordable multi-packs too.  Atlanta Bright IPA is the very latest, from Auckland's Urbanaut.  Powered by the classic trio of...

Searchlight Shining Bright in Queenstown

Nestled away in Industrial Place just outside the bustle of Queenstown’s CBD is Searchlight Brewery. The independently owned and operated brewery was first started as a passion project in 2015, with doors opening to the public in 2018 – it’s since changed hands to...