Lion Breweries has been named the country's best brewery, after coming out on top at the beer awards in Auckland.
Lion beat 93 Kiwi breweries to take out the top spot, along with six international breweries at the 2015 Brewers' Guild of New Zealand Beer Awards last night.
It’s the perfect recognition to cap off a big year, says Lion national operations director Paul Woods.
“It’s a huge honour to be named New Zealand’s Champion Brewery. It’s the best possible recognition any brewery can get, large or small."
Lion Breweries oversees the production of six of New Zealand's top 10 beer brands, including Speight's, Becks, Steinlager, Mac's, Waikato Draught, Stella Artois, Emerson's, Corona, Guiness and a growing range of craft beers.
Additionally to its award of champion brewery, Lion also won the international Lager and Fruit flavoured categories with Becks and Isaac's Berry Cider.
This brought their total award haul to 28 medals across 10 categories.
The awards reflect more positive growth for Kiwi breweries, says Brewers' Guild chairman Bob King.
"Whether it’s a one-man band or the larger more established breweries, New Zealand is enjoying a golden era in terms of the variety and quality of beers produced.
"That’s what the awards are about – recognising and celebrating excellence in our profession," said Mr King.
The awards are now in their ninth year and are internationally recognised.
They are judged by a panel of 25 national and internationally qualified judges who rate each beer by a style guide for each category.
This includes a beer's aroma, colour, bitterness flavour and presentation.
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