Winston Aldworth: Let's get crafty with the beer we serve in the air

New Zealand's craft beer scene has a unique and lively approach to fresh hops that should be celebrated. Photo / Natalie Slade

As anyone who's seen me slumped at a bar, slurring my way through a mouthful of hops could tell you, I'm partial to a good craft beer.

So I reckon the growing trend for craft beers to appear on inflight menus in the US is a good thing. Airlines have been fussing about their wine lists for years, but have been slow to catch on to the recent rise in popularity of craft beer.

Passengers on Southwest Airlines can now get New Belgium Brewing's Fat Tire while Sam Adams can be found aboard JetBlue and Delta. Further north, Alaska Airlines carries beers from the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii, and most recently regional carrier Sun Country started carrying Minneapolis' Surly Brewing.

(Warning: Travel editor approaching hobby horse. Assume brace position.)

New Zealand's craft beer is brilliant. And even the bits that aren't brilliant are part of a bigger fascinating - and brilliant - picture. They're also a success story: Our craft beer scene has a unique and lively approach to fresh hops that should be celebrated.

Also, craft beer drinkers get less drunk - so they'll be less problematic as passengers.

Air New Zealand carries Moa beer on some international routes and that's a step in the right direction.