Our blog is about us, and the beers, breweries and people we love
Craft Beer College runs all sorts of beer tastings for all sorts of people based out of the Craft Beer Capital of Wellington, New Zealand.
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.
The 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.
This 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.
The 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.
Once in a Brew Moon you might find yourself at Amberley and at the brew pub, possibly hosted by Head Brewer Belinda Gould. You’ll be in for a fun-filled night. Fill a tasting tray. Go for two and you’ll be able give everything a try.
Photo credit: Jed Soane - www.thebeerproject.com
It 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.
Hannah 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.
Like 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.
Lucie 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.
I 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.
Talk to us about how we can help.
Steph
021 204 3632
info@craftbeercollege.co.nz
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