New Zealand’s Homebrew Hero to Be Announced

New Zealand’s Homebrew Hero to Be Announced

Amateur brewers across New Zealand will be hoping they have what it takes as they await the results of the 2015 SOBA National Homebrew Competition this weekend.

For the 9th year, a group of expert judges will taste hundreds of beers on Saturday November 7th in Auckland.

As well as vying for some fantastic prizes, all brewers will receive feedback from the judging panel headed by experienced judge Geoff Griggs. Other notable panel members include brewers Kieran Haslett-Moore of North End, Søren Eriksen of 8 Wired, Dave Kurth from Hot Water Brewing, Kelly Ryan from Fork Brewing and author of Brewed Jules Van Cruysen.

Competition organiser Tom Coleman says entries are up more than 30 per cent on last year with 539 beers received from all corners of the country.

While winning prizes was great, many entrants were simply keen to get expert feedback and notes for improvement from the quality judging panel.

This year had seen a big increase in unusual style beers entered, such as wood aged, sour and wild fermented, which showed the increasing maturity and growth of home-brewing as a hobby.

“Entries have jumped this year and many of the entries are in particularly challenging styles such as sour beers, which take a lot of patience and skill to brew.

“It’s great to see it’s not just our professional brewers who are experimenting, but New Zealand’s home brewers as well.”

The brewer judged New Zealand champion - the person with the most points across all their entries - will again be provided with a generous brewing scholarship package provided by BeerNZ. This will consist of a 2015 “SOBA NHC Beer” release brewed by the champion brewer at Pomeroy’s in Christchurch, as well as training and education in commercial brewing, plus sponsored further releases at the brewer’s discretion.

Last year’s winner, NIWA algal ecologist Karl Safi of Hamilton, said being able to upscale his single hop American IPA into a 1200l commercial batch was an enjoyable experience.

While brewing the beer at a real brewery was fun, the entire process including following the sales and label design was fascinating.

“Seeing the label for the first time was a great buzz when I got it via email while stuck out on a research ship, in the middle of the ocean, working 12 hour days.”

Since its release Safi’s IPA has been selling out across the country and he highly recommended all home brewers to enter the NHC.

Meanwhile, the brewer behind the competition’s champion beer, the individual brew that scores the highest, will also have the opportunity (and bragging rights) to see it released on a commercial scale by Auckland brewery Hallertau.

Last year Aucklander John Golics, with his unusual choice of a Bamberg-Style Bock Rauchbier, was judged best beer.

He brewed “The Dog’s Gollicks” at Hallertau, with the beer released at multiple events across the country.

The competition will be held at The Fine Wine Company’s Constellation Drive store on the North Shore and is sponsored by Cryer Malt, BeerNZ, Hallertau, The Grainfather, Brewshop.co.nz, Brewer’s Coop, Brewxchange.com and NZ Hops. Entries cost $15 or $10 if you are a SOBA member, and full details can be found at http://nhc.soba.org.nz.

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