Catlins Brewery among craft breweries attending Hop’n’Vine

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Catlins Brewery among strong stable of craft breweries attending Hop’n’Vine

March 28

Catlins Brewery will be among a strong stable of breweries showcasing their craft beers and ciders to more than 600 people at the Hop’n’Vine festival at SIT Zero Fees Velodrome in Invercargill on Saturday. (April 1).

Festival directors Kevin Downie and Chris Montgomery said the inaugural event was close to a sell-out as at Tuesday morning with people excited to try some beers never tasted in the city before – and at least two completely new beers.

“We’re passionate about craft beer and about creating an event Invercargill can be proud of – an event that shouts out to the rest of New Zealand that we are a sophisticated city,” Montgomery said.

Downie said there would be something for everyone ranging from crisp, refreshing pilsners to rich, dark stouts to hop-packed pale ales.

“We’re delighted with the range and quality of great New Zealand breweries who will be showcasing their world-class beers. There will be some bold and interesting beers to try,” Downie said.

Well-known names Tuatara Brewing and Emerson’s are among those attending with Tuatara founder Carl Vasta and Emerson’s founder Richard Emerson planning to make the trip south.

“We’re absolutely rapt to have these legends of the Kiwi craft beer community at Hop’n’Vine and we know people will be thrilled to meet them,” Downie said.

“Brewing beer and talking about beer is my passion, so sharing that with some likeminded southerners will be a good day out,” Vasta said.

Prodigious breweries including EPIC, Garage Project and Bohemoth are also attending as are some of the country’s up-and-coming talents including Christchurch’s Southpaw, Wanaka’s Ground Up and Matakana’s Sawmill Brewery. Ground Up is brewing a special festival beer.

Invercargill Brewery will be showcasing its range of award-winning beers and ciders and is debuting a new B.Man APA-style beer at Hop’n’Vine.

Among the lesser-known but most intriguing guests is Kaka Point-based Catlins Brewery.

The brewery was founded in 2014 in the basement of Norm MacLeod’s Kaka Point home, with help from business partner Keith Abbott. They now produce beers including Yellow-Eyed Pilsner, White Squall Wheat Beer and Nuggety Black Stout.

“We’re slowly building the brewery up and are really excited to be coming south to talk beer,” MacLeod said.

Hop’n’Vine’s Home Brew Competition will be hotly contested with about 10 brewers in the mix.

Central Otago wines and Zeffer Cider will also be on offer and a wide range of delicious food to complement the tasty offerings will be available.

A guest DJ from Auckland will be part of the entertainment line-up as will Southland’s Brendan Mason. The festival will run from 2pm-7pm.

Downie said as Hop’n’Vine came together they had worked with heap of local companies and been amazed at the absolutely massive response from their wonderful festival partners.

Tickets for Hop’n’Vine are $32 and are available from TicketDirect.

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