Finest brews named

Expert judges awarded three local businesses gold in the New World Beer and Cider Awards.

Deep Creek Brewing and The Sawmill Brewery were awarded gold for their beer and Zeffer Cider Co was awarded gold for their cider in the recent competition.

The competition, which allows gold medal businesses to distribute their product through New World stores nationwide, had a panel of 18 judges all tasting the beverages.

Deep Creek Brewing were the champions in the American style ale class for their Dusty Gringo India Brown Ale and also in the India Pale Ale class for their Lupulin Effect Double IPA.

Head brewer Hamish Ward says they were honoured.

‘‘We have a wide range of beers, from your standard beer to more eccentric with challenging flavours for our consumers,’’ he says.

The Sawmill Brewery won a gold medal in the pilsner class for their Sawmill Pilsner.

Owner and managing director Kirsty McKay says the whole team was thrilled and have worked hard.

‘‘It was the best possible beer for us to win with. Its an approachable beer style but still shows how good a beer can taste when it is made well,’’ she says.

Zeffer Cider Co was awarded gold for the Zeffer Two Point Five Cider in the fruit and flavoured cider class.

Their head cider maker Jody Scott says they were very excited.

‘‘We love traditional ciders, as reflected in our great reserve ciders, however, our drive is innovating with new styles that are really helping to shape and define what New Zealand cider can be,’’ she says.

All were judged on their qualities using a collaborative approach evaluating technical excellence, balance and, most importantly, drinkability.