New World Beer & Cider Awards Top 30

Subscriber special: An early look at the New World Beer & Cider Awards Top-30, released this morning

It seems like every year there’s a better, more diverse selection of styles in the New World Beer & Cider Awards Top 30 — and the 10^th edition stands out.

The Top 30 features established — and popular — craft brands such as Garage Project, Parrotdog, Emerson’s, Panhead, 8 Wired, McLeod’s, Epic, Sprig & Fern, Bach and Brave. And then there are the fast-moving up-and-comers like Lakeman, Mount Brewing, Three Sisters and Beer Baroness who are all becoming regulars at the top table.

Plus, we’ve got stone cold craft legends — Hallertau and Brew Moon — who have been around for decades but are stepping up to the Top 30 with impeccably made hazies.

And speaking of classics: the much-loved Steinlager Classic features in the Top 30 for the first time.

Every year, there’s a smaller brewery showcasing the depth of quality around New Zealand, and this year it’s Wanaka’s b Effect with their Social Experiment #22 IPA.

In the cider category, it’s more business as usual with Peckham’s, Morningcider and Zeffer — three of the best brands in the country — again showcasing their skills.

And there’s special shout-out to Emerson’s, which had four beers in the Top 30 — including their original brew, London Porter, as well the low carb Super Quench, Reverb NZ IPA and massive crowd-pleaser Mexicoco, the 9.3% chilli chocolate porter.

There’s an equal hat-tip to Taupo’s Lakeman. Not only did their Primate Pilsner return after being last year’s supreme winner, but they delivered two of the three pale ales with Taupo Thunder and Big Hairy.

The variety of beers and ciders in the Top 30 is phenomenal. Reflecting the massive growth in the “lifestyle” category there’s two low carb beers, and three non-alcoholic offerings (two beer and one cider) and they all taste fantastic.

On top of the many hoppy IPAs, hazies, pale ales and pilsner, there’s a wonderful array of quirky and classical styles.

The likes of Garage Project’s Pickle Beer, Three Sisters Wild One — made with the unique New Zealand Wilding yeast, Muito Bom from Mount Brewing is a Belgian Witbier with a special twist (added ginger) while Sprig & Fern’s G.O.A.T lives up to its name as the greatest of all time when it comes to Kiwi-brewed doppelbocks.

In terms of greats, kudos to Brave Brewing's Terrible Lizards and McLeod’s Longboarder Lager, who both doubled down on trophies at last year’s NZ Beer Awards proving they are the best of their style in the country right  now.

Last but by no means least is Desperate Glory — the supreme champion — a barrel-aged Belgian Amber Ale from 8 Wired and Small Gods that’s been dosed with Chinese Keemun tea. It’s spectacular, complex and delicious.

No matter what you choose, there’s a delightful flavour experience awaiting you.

Champion Beer

8 Wired x Small Gods Desperate Glory

The champion beer of 2024 comes from the reigning Champion NZ Brewery, Warkworth-based 8 Wired. A collaboration with Small Gods, who specialise in old-world beer styles. This is a sublime creation, as they took a Belgian Amber Ale — rich in dates, brown sugar and sweet spice — and aged it for a year in bourbon barrels to bring out vanilla notes from the oak, as well as some tartness that has an aroma like cherries. It was then blended with Chinese Keemun tea to add a light floral character with hints of tobacco and cocoa. It’s a remarkable beer with some wine-like qualities, and as such will pair beautifully with food. It’s surprisingly light on the palate, but there’s a depth of flavour and complexity that will keep bringing you back for more and more.