Our blog is about us, and the beers, breweries and people we love
A trigger warning for sexual assault comes with a call to believe victims and take action. This article challenges everyone who needs a victims to re-traumatise themselves, in order to believe that assault occurs in our beer community.
Read MoreThe story of Richard’s childhood, and the years leading up to the establishment of Emerson’s Brewery, along with its early development and growth are Donaldson’s real contribution to the beer community’s understanding of Richard. He rightly doesn’t dwell too much on the sale to Lion but it is interesting to read of Richard’s views on the matter and Donaldson’s own might be the subject of some debate. This reader certainly didn’t agree with all that was authored about craft and brewery sales but a little tetchiness is probably helpful to inspiring conversation post reading the book on a lazy holiday afternoon - over an (Emerson’s) beer or two.
Read MoreThis year the New Zealand Brewers’ Guild changed its “Beer Writer of the Year” award to a “Beer Media” award. It was good move, as it opens the award up to a wider range of discourse on beer. This year’s winner – Denise Garland – is an example of that. While she’s a semi-regular writer for The Pursuit of Hoppiness (as well as being deputy editor) and The Spinoff, it was a single powerful and motivating article on Māori cultural appropriation in the brewing industry that led to her deserving recognition.
Read MoreThe beer awards are a premier event for our industry and a time for celebrating our successes. Those awarded medals and honours should be rewarded with the respect of the attendees at the awards event. Read our review of the 2019 awards ceremony.
Read MoreIt doesn’t matter how you get to Wellington for Beervana - running on August 9 and 10 at Westpac Stadium - you can start your beer journey long before you hit the central city and make the most of your time.
Read MoreHannah White, like so many of us, fell in love with beer by drinking Weihenstephaner fresh off tap and all the European styles – Belgian beers were a key feature. She developed “a taste for the delicious” which has resulted in her selling delicious beer for Garage Project. She started when they were a small team of seven, and has had a hand in their growth and success over the years.
Read MoreLike many of our brewers, Kerry Gray, Head Brewer of Choice Bros Brewery, found his true love of beer while overseas. Luckily his return to New Zealand coincided with the craft beer scene really starting to kick off, and a homebrew competition that he made the finals for. He’s now Head Brewer for Choice Bro and has launched a second label, Echoes, from his home base at Husk.
Read MoreLucie Campbell starts work at 7:00am most days. As the Operations Manager for The Lumsden Freehouse and its four companion venues – she finds the time alone in the office useful to getting work done uninterrupted. Starting work early also gives her time to work in her other roles – the most important is being a solo parent to a three-year-old toddler. Her second “baby” is the Auckland Fresh Hop Festival. And, in-between all that, she’s president of the New Zealand Pink Boots Society. Lucie’s not really sure how she’s balancing it all but she’s having fun doing it.
Read MoreI spent some time chatting with Bede Roe (part-owner and sales person) and Dale Gould (head brewer) from Whistling Sisters in Central Wellington, learning the story behind the brewery’s name, and delving into their backgrounds. While the Whistling Sister’s team are not chasing the beer-explorer market, there is lots to be explored outside the core range. It’s worth stopping by for a tasting tray, or when they pop up at festivals around the country.
Read MoreAn overseas experience – or OE – is a rite of passage for many New Zealanders. And, for Mata – Aotearoa Brewing’s owner and head brewer - Tammy Viitakangas – it was life-chaning. It was the first step in her beer and brewing journey which has now seen Mata move into its new home in Whakatāne . In late 2017, Tammy opened a new brewery and a tasting room, and in 2018 she brewed a stream of award-winning beers, including the Trophy winning Cola Cuz.
Read MoreThe team from Fork and Brewer might have been the only ones in Wellington surprised about being awarded Champion Small New Zealand Brewery at the 2018 Brewers’ Guild Awards. Head Brewer Kelly Ryan is known and loved in the brewing community and has 18 years’ worth of experience under his belt. The brewery was a top pick by many. It’s one of the great places we visit on our beer tours.
We spoke with Kelly and part-owner Colin Mallon about the background to Fork and Brewer / Fork Brewing / Fork Brew Corp; winning their champion brewery award; their new branding; and the things they were most looking forward to into the future.
Read MoreAva Nakagawa is a familiar face in the New Zealand beer scene, and the hospitality scene in Christchurch. She owns a brewery that produces her Beer Baroness beers. She also manages Pomeroy’s freehouse and its delightful Bed and Breakfast, along with Little Poms Café.
We took some time to talk with Ava about how she manages so many successful businesses and a busy family life. And, we asked her about things beer and brewing.
Read MoreOn 24 November, Heyday Beer Company turns one. We took some time to chat with founding owners, Hannah Blackwood, and brewer, Sam Whitney, about the lead up to opening the brew pub and all things beer.
Heyday is just one of the great Wellington brew pubs we visit on our Craft Beer College Walking Tours. They are perfectly located at 246A Cuba St, and open from 11am daily until late.
Read MoreA short piece, for New Zealand Suffrage Day, as to why words and actions matter and sexism needs to be stamped out - generally, and in the beer community.
Read MoreIt is always interesting to take away your preconceived ideas about beer, and to taste them blind. It is a way to challenge your palate and your prejudices, and can be lots of fun. Our blind tasting series is designed for all these things.
Read MoreThese days beer festivals seem to run over a week or more. This means you have to save time, money and liver functionality all the way through to the end of your festival-ing. It can be hard. But, never fear. We’re here with some tips and tricks.
Read MoreIf you want to experience the Wellington beer scene, you should join Craft Beer College on a tour. If there’s no time for that, here’s just some of our tips for a beer lover’s guide to Wellington. We’ve made the assumption that beer people are also keen on coffee and food so this blog post has all you need to know.
Read MoreEvery year we celebrate the hop harvest with “Hopstock”, Wellington’s fresh hop beer festival. And, Craft Beer College escorts people around some of our favourite brew pubs and beer bars. Read up on why you should come along and give some of these once-a-year beers a try.
Read MoreWho are we? What do we do? Learn about Craft Beer College and our mission to bring all sorts of beers to all sorts of people. Ultimately, we’re not beer snobs we’re beer lovers. We’re keen to share our passion and knowledge with as many people as possible.
Read MoreCraft Beer College runs all sorts of beer tastings for all sorts of people based out of the Craft Beer Capital of Wellington, New Zealand.
Talk to us about how we can help.
Steph
021 204 3632
info@craftbeercollege.co.nz
Phone Steph on
021 204 3632
Message us at
info@craftbeercollege.co.nz
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