Liberty Brewing won their third Malthouse West Coast IPA Challenge title claiming the Golden Gumboots with God of War (6.9%).
Another three-time winner Epic, were second with Atari Baby (6.7%) while Brave Brewing were third with Dreamcast (6.5%); and the much sought-after People’s Choice Award went to McLeod’s High Country (6.5%).
Liberty triumphed with the classic Knife Party (2013) and The Kush (2017).
Liberty founder and head brewer Joseph Wood wasn’t in Wellington for the event but at home in West Auckland “cooking some steaks on the barbecue and had completely forgotten about it”.
But when he received the winning phone call, he started screaming: “We won!! We won!! We won!!” His partner, with him at the time, was baffled at the sudden spike in celebrations.
Joe says winning “brought so much satisfaction”. He’s been frank about mental health challenges he’s endured in recent years and is in no doubt — given the relentless conditions facing the entire beer industry — that others are likely feeling the same.
“We’re battling hard — I think 80% of the breweries out there are battling in one way or another. We are all doing it so tough.
“[The win] came as such a huge relief because the whole process of brewing and owning a brewery — especially at the moment — is really stressful.”
By way of emphasis, he adds, “The reason why we weren’t there was because we couldn’t afford it. Every last dollar we have right now needs to go into the business.”
He is quick to shout out the Liberty team. “They have been so supportive and able to step up — this was one for the team.
“The funny thing is, we didn’t have a big plan around this beer or ‘let’s try something new’. It was literally what we had left over around the brewery at that time that we could bring together.
“But I said let’s give the judges a beer that stands out; we can’t just make what we normally do. We had this idea to use Cryo hops in the dry hop — it’s a pretty trick,” he says with a laugh.
“It was quite a wholesome experience. Knowing we can do the best in the country, in the worst of circumstances.”
Head judge Kelly Ryan said the 23 judges, sourced from breweries, hospo, suppliers, the wider industry and seasoned beer palates, did an excellent job sorting the 31 entries.
“The judges did an exceptional job given the high quality of beers they were presented with. We had a wonderful cross-section of palates to ensure we achieved what we were setting out to do — to find the best American style IPA in Aotearoa,” he says.
“All the beers were judged blind and the calibre was fantastic — particularly on the final table where the top seven beers were judged.
“It was a very tight race between the top three. Judges focused hard on selecting beers that were a great representation of WCIPAs — American hop intensity, a solid, balanced bitterness and of course, drinkability.”
Kelly says there was very intense discussion amongst judges when it came down to the top three. However, the eventual winner was a majority, hands-down favourite.
“Liberty’s God of War was a standout due to its big tropical hop aromatics, well-balanced malt body, firm bitterness and overall smooth drinkability. It just drank so well,” he says.
“But the overall quality of WCIPAs was excellent. Brewers have really dialled in how to brew this style — and 17 years of a comp like this has definitely helped!
“As a huge hop nerd, I was blown away at the calibre across the board.”
Kelly says grassroots beer comps like this were incredibly important for the industry — and especially so when times were tough.
“Having the chance to get a heap of brewers, industry peeps and IPA lovers together to celebrate this style was probably one of the highlights of this event.
“It’s been a blimmin’ tough year for brewers and the industry, in general. So to be together, connect with the community and celebrate in this way was pretty special. You could feel how happy everyone in that room was.
“Massive shoutout to the Malty and Fork team — they never fail to go above and beyond to make it an outstanding event, and give Wellingtonians the chance to try some of these beers they otherwise may not be able to.”
And his personal highlight?
“Having Makka [Matiu Makirere, Malthouse’s stalwart beertender of 11 years] on the judging panel for the first time. That guy knows his IPAs.”
Will Keys, New Zealand sales manager for Cryer Malt, says he’s been attending the event for 10 years and was now privileged to be at the comp both in the role of sponsor and judge.
He accepted the Golden Gumboots on behalf of Liberty, ascending the traditional winners’ dais (the Malty bar top) to celebratory whoops from the sea of punters.
“Accepting the award on behalf of Liberty and standing on that fabled bar in a room filled with people who genuinely love beer and the industry and with one of my idols of the industry and now friend, Kelly Ryan, was really special.
“Times are tough out there and these are not cheap beers to make. Everyone went hard, no one took any shortcuts, and that showed through in the quality of the beers,” he says.
Less than a week after the comp, Joe says the demand for God of War has been high.
“We’ve re-brewed it and will be releasing it in cans in a few weeks’ time. You gotta make hay whilst the sun shines.”