McLeod’s Brewery in Waipu has won the supreme NZ Beer title at the NZ Beer Awards.
McLeod’s Brewery Double IPA Tropical Cyclone took home the Champion New Zealand Beer title at the awards held in Auckland in August, which raised to the top of 700 entries nationwide.
This beer won over the taste buds of a prominent judging panel, including 24 stewards, 26 judges, and six support staff. The panel worked for two and a half days to find the best beer in Aotearoa.
“There were a lot of high-fives that night; it’s really great to have something so positive to talk about,” said co-owner Geoff Gwynne.
He credited the success of this big win to the skill of their head brewer, Jason Bathgate, who makes the beer by hand on the same site as the Waipu Pizza Barn. He described the beer's taste as something with a considerable amount of hops and a lean backbone for malt.
“Balancing a beer like that is really tricky and I think it’s one of the signs of Jason’s skills. It’s eight percent abv, so you can get an idea of the punch of it.”
It also has a dangerously delicious tropical taste and a cultish following because of its high alcohol content. People generally savour the taste and flavour of a single can, which sells for around $11.99 a can.
The team was also fizzing about winning a trophy for their Blue Sky American-style pale ale, 18 medals (8 golds). McLeod’s Brewery was named Champion Medium Brewery for the second time. The first time they won this was in 2021.
Gwynne said McLeod’s Brewery had no overnight success story but ten years of brewing experience, so the award recognition made this timing an even bigger celebration.
Executive director of the Brewer’s Guild of New Zealand Melanie Kees added that McLeod’s Brewery stood out that night, and its win was a testament to the excellent quality of their beer.
She said some of the drivers of the NZ Beer Awards and the Brewer’s Guild of NZ were to celebrate quality beer in New Zealand and uphold high standards. Great quality beer, importantly, gets a big tick from consumers.
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