Dusty

Winner of the ‘British Ale’ Category at the 2021 Brewers Guild Awards, Emerson’s Bookbinder actually predates the Guild itself, which was set-up (with Richard Emerson as a driving force) 15 years.  Twenty-five years is a long time for anything, but 25 years in the world of craft beer might as well be forever.  Yet that’s how long Bookbinder has been on the market, and still winning awards to this day.  Softly fragrant on the nose, with chewy malt and keenly floral hop aroma, with dried apricot, earth and spice in support.  Despite the diminutive 3.4 per cent abv, the palate bursts with flavour.  Light toffee malt tinged with more dried fruit and floral lift, with medium body, firm bitterness and surprisingly long finish.  What Bookbinder really nails is the perfect balance and integration between malt, hop and yeast expression that is the hallmark of the best British ales. Here’s to another 25 years.

Instagratification: Dusty’s Best Spring Beers

Photographer, beer-lover and Instagram influencer Dusty, picks his highlights from the latest releases from this winter. Isthmus 3d IPA One of the best an under the radar IPAs in NZ gets some well-deserved shine and credit taking out supreme champion brew for 2025 New...

Fermented Culture — Holy Mountain

Before the Kapiti Expressway opened, a drive north up State Highway One from Wellington would take you under a 14m statue of the Virgin Mother standing high on a foothill of the Tararuas. As a child it was an important landmark on our journey to my grandparents’ house...

Lakeman Primate Pilsner

Awards season rolls on, with the New World Top 25 joining the scrum of medals just last week. On that incredibly hotly tested list (and not for the first time either!) was Lakeman Primate Pilsner from Taupo.  The pilsner style (particularly of the NZ persuasion) is...

Hop Federation Closing Down

Motueka-based Hop Federation will cease brewing next month following a strategic review by owners Kono NZ LP. Kono general manager Marina Hirst Tristram says the decision wasn’t easy and reflects a deliberate focus across the commercial businesses of Kono. "As part of...

Garage Project Take Over Fortune Favours

Garage Project are opening two new venues in Wellington, including taking over the Fortune Favours taproom in Leeds Street. Fortune Favours closed its doors for the last time on Sunday but the venue will continue as a craft beer destination, with Garage Project moving...

New World Beer & Cider Awards Winners

The 2025 New World Beer & Cider Awards have been announced. Here's the list of the Top 25 winners which will be available in New World stores over the next month. Champion Beer Isthmus 3D IPA Isthmus Brewing is the Auckland creation of husband and wife team Hamish...