It’s incredibly difficult to get into the Top 30 at the New World Beer & Cider Awards so any beer or cider that gets a highly commended gong is effectively a gold medal beer.
8 Wired Cloudtripper — Superdelic, Nectaron, Nelson Sauvin and Motueka combine for mango, pineapple, orange juice and zest.
8 Wired iStout — Chocolate, dates, leather, licorice and sweet coffee.
8 Wired Citrus Maxima — American-style wheat beer with super-refreshing zesty ping.
Bootleg Trappist Seeing Dubbel — Warm and spicy with cherry, sherry and light coffee aromas. Finishes dry.
Canyon Tussock Basher Tiny Pale Ale — A Top 50 with a 2.5% pale ale is nothing short of remarkable. Plenty of jammed-in flavour.
Garage Project White Mischief — Salty-peachy flavour punch that delivers more than you’d expect on a 2.9% base.
Epic Crush — “Finishes full-on and drinkable, and extra satisfying from the full body,” said the judges.
Epic Armageddon IPA — Kiwi IPA legend with hits of guava, pine and a light minerality.
Kereru Red Admiral Whisky Barrel-Aged Dopplebock — Whisky on the nose, followed by vanilla, dried fruit and sherry on the palate. The judges declared: “This beer would be the best nightcap ever!! Great beer!”
Hop Federation Fields of Green — Riwaka, Nelson Sauvin and Motueka offers complex depth with ripe fruit, cedarwood and citrus.
Laughing Bones Bone Dry Brut XPA — Super-dry, with a very light malt base. But the Nectaron hop oils bring great texture and tremendous flavour.
Liberty Knife Party — One of New Zealand’s all-time favourite West Coast-style IPAs. Big, bold, beautifully put together with juicy-bitter hops in abundance.
McLeod’s Paradise Pale Ale — A sweet, juicy hop aroma bursts out of the glass and blends seamlessly with the light caramel malt to produce a resinous and smooth drinking experience.
Otago Brew School Klassenbester Dunkelweizen — Toffee biscuit malt, banana and clove yeast. Tastes like banana cake with a toffee sauce. Top 30 last year.
Pacific Coast Beach Break Pilsner — An incredible Pilsner, at just 4% ABV and so light coloured it looks like Chardonnay wine, but it delivers bagfuls of great flavour.
Sunshine Brewing Mexican Lager — Light body, big hoppy notes — the judges loved the citrus, floral and peach hop character.
Emerson’s Pilsner — “Fresh aromas of blossoms, passionfruit, with a crackery malt. well balanced, dry finish. Great Beer,” the judges said.
Emerson’s German Pilsner — The judges loved the “earthy herbal hops with a hint of lemon zest”. It finishes dry and refreshing.
Two Thumb Mr Brightcider — Judges called it an “excellent and complex cider. Some nutty tannins on the finish. Easy to drink.”
Waitoa Brightside 0% Hazy IPA — A super-tasty, cleanly fermented non-alcoholic beer that delivers bright citrus.
