Zombies Take Over Fifth Annual IPA Brewing Challenge

Zombies Take Over Fifth Annual IPA Brewing Challenge Malthouse Press Release

18 July 2012 For Immediate Release

A 9% Double IPA packed with secret American hops has won the Fifth Annual West Coast IPA Challenge held at Malthouse on Friday 13 July 2012. This hugely popular Wellington beer event challenged the best craft brewers from around New Zealand to present their personal take on the strong, hoppy, India Pale Ale (IPA) beer style so popular on the West Coast of America. A panel of learned beer experts picked Epic Brewing Company’s Hop Zombie IIPA as the overall winner from a record field of seventeen entries.

Second place went to locals the Tuatara Brewing Company for their Double Trouble Double IPA, another 9% ale bursting with flavour. Taking out third place was a darker 6.5% offering from Yeastie Boys and Liberty Brewing Company called Yakima Raven IPA.

The judging panel comprised of international beer judges Geoff Griggs and Kieran Haslett-Moore, and noted beer blogger Martin Craig. They sampled all the entries before rendering their considered verdict. Members of the public who packed the Malthouse for hours could also cast a vote for the People’s Choice Award. This was scooped by Aro Valley’s own Garage Project Brewery for their 10.1% brew with the magnificent name of Super Angry Peaches IPA.

Malthouse proprietor Colin Mallon, who announced the results at 9pm on Friday, said he was thrilled by the number of entries and the number of people who turned up to sample them. “The West Coast IPA Challenge is a trademark event for us and is always one of our busiest nights. Wellingtonians love their craft beer and hoppy ales are huge right now. This year’s event has lifted the bar even higher,” he said.

The full list of entries (in alphabetical order):

Black Dog Unleashed IPA (Wellington) 5.5%
Brewery Britomart Nessie’s Conundrum (Auckland) 7%
Croucher Patriot Black IPA (Rotorua) 5.5%
Epic Hop Zombie (Auckland) 9%
Epic First Batch (Auckland) 6.6%
Garage Project Super Angry Peaches Amarillo Bomb (Wellington) 10.1%
Hallertau Bro’jolais (Auckland) 10%
Harrington’s Hop Tremor IPA (Christchurch) 7.4%
Invercargill Brewery Chopper (Invercargill) 7%
mike’s Single American IPA (Urenui) 6.7%
Moa Heptahop Seven Hopped APA (Blenheim) 7%
Townshend Blitzgreig APA (Upper Moutere) 6.7%
Tuatara Double Trouble IIPA (Wellington) 9%
Renaissance San Diego APA (Blenheim) 7%
Liberty Brewing Le Monstre (Spotswood) 7%
Yeastie Boys Motueka Raven (Invercargill) 6.5%
Liberty Brewing Yakima Raven (Invercargill) 6.5%

Malthouse was named Best New Zealand Beer Venue for 2011 and 2012 by Beer and Brewer magazine. Wellington has been crowned Craft Beer Capital of New Zealand.

ENDS

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