In pursuit of hoppiness? Perfect pint mastered

The McLeods Brewery team Geoff Gwynne, co-owner; Jason Bathgate, head brewer; Milton Mewett, assistant brewer; Clayton Gwynne, co-owner.

Waipu's McLeods Brewery has a new head brewer.

Jason Bathgate brings a strong pedigree to the small brewery, starting as a classically-trained former chef, he developed his passion for home brewing before working at Blenheim's Renaissance Brewing.

He volunteered his time at Renaissance Brewing before they offered him the job of assistant brewer. He then worked as assistant brewer for three years with 8 Wired Brewing in Warkworth.

He says beer is, in some ways, a better accompaniment to food than wine.

"Food and beer are the perfect combination."

His passion for producing good beers is obvious.

"My goal is simply to make delicious beer," he said. "I want customers to pick up a pint or bottle with the McLeod's label and know that what's inside is well-made, whatever the style."

Mr Bathgate was born in the United States and came to New Zealand about six years ago.

McLeod's Brewery was launched in 2014 by brothers Clayton and Geoff Gwynne to compliment to their successful Waipu restaurant, McLeod's Pizza Barn.

They have since released several brews onto the market as well as retailing at the Pizza Barn, but Mr Bathgate's presence makes the goal of producing great beer for Northland and further afield well within reach, said Geoff Gwynne.

"We've always wanted that connection between food right from our kitchen and good beer straight from our own kegs out back," said Mr Gwynne. "We're excited to have someone of Jason's calibre working with us and creating the opportunity to take our beer and the brand to the next level."

Mr Gwynne says he would like to get McLeods brews into more Northland outlets but it's a struggle.

"We get a lot of support from people in Northland, especially cafes stocking our bottled beers but finding free houses (bars not locked into contracts with the two major breweries) is just about impossible."

However, there are more free bars in Auckland wanting to stock McLeod tap beers as well as cafes stocking bottled beer.

Mr Bathgate's first beer for the McLeod's brand, Forty Acres, is a fresh-hopped pale ale which had its first airing at Auckland's Fresh Hop 16 last Saturday. And any beers developed at the brewery will reflect the Gwynnes' philosophy of making beers that are relevant to Northland.

Mr Bathgate started at Mcleods last week.

- If you have any business news, tips or ideas contact me at biz@northernadvocate.co.nz or (09) 470 2838.