Kiwi craft beers impress US judges

  • 22/07/2015
(L-R): Carl Vasta of Tuatara, Matt Warner of Parrot Dog, Mike Neilson of Panhead, Stu McKinlay of Yeastie Boys and Jos Ruffell of Garage Project at Commons Brewery in Portland.
(L-R): Carl Vasta of Tuatara, Matt Warner of Parrot Dog, Mike Neilson of Panhead, Stu McKinlay of Yeastie Boys and Jos Ruffell of Garage Project at Commons Brewery in Portland.

A selection of Kiwi craft beers has impressed some of the toughest beer connoisseurs in the US, after they were showcased at the Oregon Brewers Festival.

Panhead, Tuatara, Yeastie Boys, Garage Project and Parrot Dog, featured in the event as international brewers this year.

Each brewery was allowed time to introduce their company and product, and present one of their beers alongside a matched dish created by award-winning Wellington chef Shepherd Elliott.

The group were sent abroad thanks to Grow Wellington, a part of Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency which established trade connections between Portland and NZ. 

This means brewers have an arena to showcase their products on an international stage. Last year five Oregon brewers attended the Beervana Festival in Wellington as part of the long-term exchange.

Stu McKinlay, the co-founder of Yeastie Boys, says it's good to see Kiwi beers gaining some traction overseas.

"It's great to be showcasing our beer in Portland, which we consider to be setting the standard for craft beer worldwide."

A sentiment Clyde Burney, vice president of Beer and Trade Development at Southern Wines and Spirits in Nevada agrees with.

"The floral notes and characteristics of hops make the beers stand out, and their passion is second to none. The challenge is to show the world how good they really are."

Craft beer contributes to a large percentage of Wellington's food and beverage sector, equating to 40 percent of its total growth in the past four years.

Around 85,000 people are expected to turn up at the Oregon Brewers Festival which runs from July 22 to 26.

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