Welcome to the 2008 New Zealand International Beer Awards.

The competition will be managed by Wayne McCrorie Director of New Zealand International Beer Awards Limited. The event will be held in Nelson, New Zealand providing the most central location for all participants.

In order that this competition has the appropriate level of credibility for the broad spectrum of brewers, the Awards Rules and conditions incorporate areas of compromise. Most important of these is the establishment and definition of the entry categories.

It is also crucial that the results of these awards are meaningful not only to entrants but to retailers, consumers and the media as well as other major participants in the industry.

After considerable consultation we have defined the entry categories in such a way that the vast majority of brewers will feel they have somewhere appropriate to enter their beer and can be confident they will be judged fairly and according to style, based on the World Beer Cup Categories and the sub clause numbers are the same as the numbers used on the World Beer Cup website. These categories are also relevant to all of our key audiences.

Medals awarded in the New Zealand Awards will be determined on fidelity to style as well as brewing excellence and overall product quality.

They will be assessed by a panel of beer experts assembled from within New Zealand and overseas. It is important to reiterate that all beers are judged blind.

However at the end of the day this event, just like other international beer competitions, is an evolving entity. Without doubt there will be some fine-tuning, some realignments and some adjustments before the next Beer Awards. Your comments are welcome and will most certainly be taken on board.

GOALS OF THE NEW ZEALAND BEER AWARDS

Recognising the traditions, innovations and excellence being demonstrated by New Zealand and international brewers as well as promoting the concept of brewing as an art and science.
Educating the New Zealand consumer about the diversity of beers available in the world and alerting them to the exceptional quality of the beer brewed in New Zealand and around the world by recognising that the beer we share has no limits to its flavours, aromas and ingredients