8 Wired

8 Wired Brewing was funded on the poker winnings of Danish import Soren Eriksen, who used to play the game professionally.

Soren started 8 Wired as a moonlighting venture in 2019 when he was brewing at Renaissance in Blenheim, using their equipment in his time off to create bold beers. 8 Wired was named NZ Champion Brewery in 2011.

Soren and his wife Monique moved to Auckland and the brand came with them in 2014, with the brewery located at Warkworth and a barrel-room / taproom in nearby Matakana.

8 Wired are renowned as the first brewery to package an all-New Zealand hopped IPA, Hopwired. Their iStout, a 10 percent imperial stout, is their most awarded beer.