Christchurch brewery toasting second world accolade

CHRISTCHURCH: A familyowned Christchurch brewery’s beer has beaten some of the biggest global brands to be crowned the best in the world.

Cassels & Sons Brewing Co’s milk stout won the top prize in its category at the prestigious World Beer Awards for the second year running.

The awards drew more than 2200 beers from 50plus countries.

Judges blindtasted and scored the entries in three rounds of judging.

Traditionally, all tastings are done in person by judges who gather from across the globe.

But the global Covid19 pandemic meant the beers were ‘‘blackwrapped’’ and sent out to judges throughout Europe, Asia, Canada and Brazil who tasted them at home and connected for judging sessions via Zoom.

As well as taste quality, ‘‘design excellence’’ was also judged over seven categories.

‘‘It’s always refreshing to see so many imaginative label designs and this year was no exception,’’ judging chairwoman Felicity Murray, founder of TheDrinksReport.com, said.

Brewery owner Alasdair Cassels (70), who started brewing when he was 22, was delighted with the backtoback win.

‘‘We were hoping, but it’s good to get two in a row. It’s pretty cool,’’ he said.

‘‘I remember, when I was a whole lot younger, hearing about a small New Zealand vineyard winning best sauvignon blanc in the world and thinking that was amazing, and that’s what we are now — best in the world.’’

Last year, Cassels won best stout and best in class.

Last week, Cassels had a customer from Dominican Republic order a 6 x 518ml case of Cassels Milk Stout online, which cost him about $365 for the airfreight cost alone. The case of beer was only an additional $44.

‘‘All because he had heard about the world’s best milk stout and wanted to try it for himself,’’ Mr Cassels said. . — The New Zealand Herald