Our beers go down well at awards night

Paul Croucher

Local brewers have finished among the medals at New Zealand's annual beer competition.

The 2014 Brewers Guild of New Zealand Award winners were announced on Thursday night.

Croucher Brewing, which celebrates 10 years of brewing in Rotorua this year, picked up a clutch of medals across their range of beers, the latest in a long string of accolades over recent years.

They won a gold medal for the Croucher St Ella IPA (India Pale Ale), silvers for their Pilsner, Pale Ale, Lowrider and Patriot as well as a bronze for the Croucher Anzus IPA.

"It is wonderful to have our beers recognised in this way by the judges, in this very competitive competition. We were hopeful of a good result as we are really happy with the quality and flavours of our beer. However, the brewery has been under immense pressure this year to meet demand while also preparing to shift the brewery to new premises, which as of this week has commenced in earnest," said Croucher brewer and co-owner Paul Croucher.

"One of the other pleasing aspects is that our success, and that of other Bay of Plenty breweries backs up our business decisions over the past three years to open our own Brew Craft beer pubs on Eat Streat in Rotorua and on The Strand in Tauranga."

The Croucher Brewing Co wasn't the only brewery with local links to have success at the awards.

Aotearoa Breweries from Kawerau picked up two golds, three silvers and four bronze medals, while Two Finger Brewery - started by Lawrence Oldershaw - picked up two bronzes.