At the Eastern Taranaki Homebrewer's Association (Etha) 5th Annual Huinga Homebrew Festival, 100 people nibbled and sipped their way through an array of home-made and home-brewed edibles and drinkables with entries and entertainment from Dargaville to Lyttleton.
Dargaville trio Outlook is Fine entertained and Etha was thrilled to have Adam McGrath from The Eastern gracing Huinga once again with his singing, guitar playing and storytelling. Etha would like to thank Adam for putting Huinga on the map when making specific mention of last year's festival in a National Radio interview as one of the more unusual - but obviously enjoyable - venues at which he has played.
On the day, there were 63 beer entries from 22 entrants and 41 entries in seven other categories including wine, cider, liqueurs, ginger beer and cordial.
However, the greatest number of entries was in the edible section with 73 entries in categories such as relish, chutney, jam, cheese and bread from 28 people.
Miriam Sorrenson of Wellington won Judge's choice in three categories - golden ale, IPA and porter - as well as being the overall winner.
Miriam, a self-confessed wine drinker who brews mainly for her partner, made a rousing speech encouraging other women to take up brewing.
The judges struggled to choose between three entries in three categories for the wooden spoon award and asked for all three brewers to come forward - only to find the same brewer had submitted all the chosen entries. The trio that comprise Shed 52 from Wanganui were gracious in their acceptance of the award, even going so far as to dance a wee jig.
With their newly acquired wooden spoon it was suggested they spank each other all the way home and try harder next year. The judges however were inclined to buy them a box of commercial beer in the hope they would take the hint and not to try to poison anyone next year.
The festival was a family affair, with entries coming from different members of local families.
The Hopkirks of Makahu had three members enter and all took home an award - mum Eila Hopkirk won people's choice limoncello, daughter Fiona McCall won the sauce category with her kasundi, and Fiona's sister Celia Howatson took the people's choice, for the second consecutive year, for spirits with a fabulous batch of damson gin.
Results:
Judges' Choice: Lager: Malcolm Nabbs, Wheat: Matt Ward, Draught: Matt Ward, Fruit: Charles Hazlewood, Golden Ale: Miriam Sorrenson, India Pale Ale: Miriam Sorrenson, Dark Ale: Vaughan Wood, Strong Ale: Malcolm Nabbs, Stout: Dave Young, Porter: Miriam Sorrenson, Spiced: Chauncy Ardell, Best Overall Beer: Miriam Sorrenson for her IPA.
Mead: Helli Ward (blackberry), Wine: Helli Ward (rhubarb), Limoncello: Trish Kelly, Cider: Matt Reis (blackberry), Ginger Beer: Heather Savage, Liqueurs: Susan Haniel (spiced whisky liqueur), Spirits: Susan Haniel.
People's Choice: Lager: Chauncy Ardell, Wheat: Matt Ward, Draught: Matt Ward, Fruit: Vaughan Wood, Golden Ale: Anup Purenal, India Pale Ale: Matt Ward, Dark Ale: Vaughan Wood, Strong Ale: David O'Donnel, Stout: Brook Ardell, Porter: Miriam Sorrenson, Spiced: Matt Ward.
Mead: Trish Kelly (honey), Wine: Hugh McGillan (berry), Limoncello: Eila Hopkirk, Cider: Shed 52 (strawberry), Ginger Beer: Vaughan Wood, Spirits: Celia Howatson (damson and blackberry gin).
Chutney: Jan Cook (gherkin), Relish: Karen Roberts (tomato), Sauce: Fiona McCall (kasundi), Jam: Ayla Ray (strawberry and kiwifruit).