Brewers toast of Aussie awards

Rotorua's Croucher Brewing is going from strength to strength, and has just picked up another international award - this time for their Croucher Pilsner.

The Australian International Beer Awards is the largest annual beer competition in the world and the lads from Croucher Brewing have picked up the gold medal and the Spiegelau Trophy for best pilsner at the awards in Melbourne. Croucher Pale Ale also picked up a silver medal for owners Paul Croucher and Nigel Gregory.

The local brewers won the New Zealand Beer Cup Champion title last year and Champion International Lager and Champion New Zealand Beer in 2010.

Mr Gregory said the pair hoped their beers would stand up well at the Australian awards, given their recent track record in New Zealand.

"We've started to build some momentum with each of our range winning major awards over the last few years and it is unbelievably satisfying after a lot of hard graft," he said.

He said Croucher Brewing's beers had long attracted critical acclaim from top critics such as Master of Wine Bob Campbell.

However, it was only recently that they had gained recognition from the international brewing community, Mr Gregory said.

Mr Croucher said part of the reason for the recognition was an increased understanding and respect for New Zealand styled craft beers.

"We've been pushing New Zealand hops into otherwise classic styles of beer and in the past the judges have complained our pilsner wasn't Czech enough and our pale ale wasn't English enough. Now, new categories have evolved and judges are happy to embrace the new styles coming out of New Zealand, of which we like to think we are pioneers."

While Croucher Brewing only began its push into the Australian market in late 2010, Australia already rivals New Zealand as the top market for its beer.

"Australians are becoming beer savvy very quickly and despite their excruciatingly high excise tax there are still enough Aussies prepared to pay for something special," Mr Croucher said.

Mr Gregory said sales of craft beer in New Zealand were also growing strongly.

"New Zealand produces many world class craft beers. It is a particularly exciting and dynamic segment of the liquor industry.

"We urge Kiwis to get out and support the craft brewers in their region and discover the wonderful flavours of craft beer."