The New Zealand Brewer Podcast – New Zealand Brewer

After an unexpectedly long break, the New Zealand Brewer Podcast is back! In episode #36 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by ...

In episode #35 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Joe Emans Brewery from Taranaki. Three Sisters Brewery is a husband-and-wife team ...

In episode #34 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we thought we’d take a crack at our first “Style Profile” episode! For this episode we’ll ...

In episode #33 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Paul Paynter from Paynter's Cider in Hawke's Bay.

Paynter's Cider is producing some of the very best cider New Zealand has to offer, and Paul Paynter is the man behind it all.

In this episode Paul talks about what it takes to make great cider, the state of New Zealand's cider industry, and he shares some details about the many incredibly exciting new apple varieties they are currently working with, such as the red fleshed apples you see in the image above, and an apple variety that clocks in at a mind blowing 26 brix. .

We'll also catch up with Gary in another "what's going on in the brewery" segment, a little homebrew Q & A, and we'll crack into another home-brewed listener beer.

In episode #32 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Zach and Nathan from Slab Brewing, in Tauranga. 

Their slogan is "Big, Small, Local" because they brew beer with big flavours on a tiny brew system, chuck it in big ass cans, and share it with their local Tauranga community. 

In this episode the guys from Slab Brewing also share the recipe for their Naked City IPA.

We'll also catch up with Gary in another "what's going on in the brewery" segment, a little homebrew Q & A, and we'll crack into a few home brewed listener beers.

In episode #31 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we take a look at the life of Richard Emerson, a trailblazer who is often lauded as the godfather of craft beer in New Zealand. His story is told by Michael Donaldson, author of the new book "The Hop Father".

In this episode our co-host, Gary Henwood from Kainui Brew Co also shares the recipe for his Gold Medal winning Summer Love Saison.

We'll also catch up with Gary in another "what's going on in the brewery" segment, a little homebrew Q & A, and we'll crack into a few home brewed listener beers.

In episode #30 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we chat with Ryan Carvill and Simon Cooke from  Froth Technologies (aka FrothTech), New Zealand's only manufacturer of Brewer's Yeast.

Until recently, New Zealand brewers have had no local yeast options, and have been forced to use yeast that is imported from far away places such as the USA and the UK (not always ideal). Froth Technologies has changed that by launching Aotearoa’s first commercial yeast lab! They also recently successfully raised more than $30,000 on Pledgeme, assuring that their expansion plans will come to fruition and home brewers will soon be able to get their hands on locally manufactured yeast.

In this episode we've asked Ryan and Simon to join us on the New Zealand Brewer Podcast and share their story and give us insight into their different strains and the plan for their company.

We'll also catch up with Gary in another "what's going on in the brewery" segment, a little homebrew Q & A, and we'll crack into a few home brewed listener beers, as well as a new one from Kereru Brewing Company!

In episode #28 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Shiggy, Jordan and Dylan from Funk Estate.

Funk Estate is a small brewing company based in Mount Maunganui. The company was founded way back in 2012 (which is nearly ancient as New Zealand's craft beer scene goes).

In this episode Shiggy, Jordan, ad Dylan share their story, explain how the company transitioned from contract brewing to making their own beer in Auckland initially, and then ultimately in Mount Maunganui. They also give us insight into their brewing process, recipe creation, and their general approach to making great beer.

In episode #28 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Shiggy, Jordan and Dylan from Funk Estate.

Funk Estate is a small brewing company based in Mount Maunganui. The company was founded way back in 2012 (which is nearly ancient as New Zealand's craft beer scene goes).

In this episode Shiggy, Jordan, ad Dylan share their story, explain how the company transitioned from contract brewing to making their own beer in Auckland initially, and then ultimately in Mount Maunganui. They also give us insight into their brewing process, recipe creation, and their general approach to making great beer.

In episode #27 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Sam Loader, the resident brewer from Mangrove Jack's.

Mangrove Jack's is New Zealand's own yeast company. And while their yeasts are gaining in popularity around the world, there is still not that much information out there about each of these strains.

In this episode we aim to change that, and to help get  homebrewer's better acquainted with each of Mangrove Jack's yeast strains, and learn how each strain differs from other similar strains on the market. Sam also offers tips on how to get the best character from each strain, and sheds a bit of light onto the process of developing and manufacturing commercial brewer's yeast.

In this episode Sam also shares the recipe for his own "Extra Best Bitter"; a bit of an ESB and XPA hybrid beer.

In episode #26 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Oren Dalton of Lone Bee Mead.

Based in Auckland, it is Lone Bee's mission to "create the very best sparkling mead using only the very best Clover & Manuka honey from the wide open spaces of New Zealand". In this episode Oren shares his story, explains how he got into the business of making mead, and shares some insight into his techniques and philosophies when it comes to making great mead.

In this episode we also share the recipe for an award-winning traditional mead that won "best in class" at New Zealand's National Homebrew Competition, a few years back.

In episode #25 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Kieran Haslett-Moore of North End Brewing.

Located in Waikanae, on the Kapiti Coast, North End is known for producing beers that represent a Kiwi take on traditional European beer styles.

Kieran shares the story behind the brewery, the beers that they brew, and he also offers a few insights into his brewing process which homebrewers are sure to appreciate.He was also generous enough to share the recipe for their Saison, a delicious beer in it's own right which also happens to be the base beer for a number of their unique creations.

In episode #24 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by John Morawski, from Auckland's Laughing Bones Brewery.

As a trained chemist and biologist, who began his career studying the life and metabolism of brewing yeast, John has a wealth of knowledge and experience in this industry. In this episode he shares his story, his approach to brewing beer, as well as the recipe for Laughing Bones' Duke Imperial Pale Ale.

After an extended Christmas break, the New Zealand Brewer Podcast is back!

In episode #23 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Kelly Ryan (Aka "Brew Jesus"), from Wellington's Fork Brewing.

A trained microbiologist who has worked at breweries such as Tui, Fyne Ales, Thornbridge, and Epic (just to name a few), Kelly Ryan is one of New Zealand's most respected craft brewers. In this episode he tells us how his path led to Fork Brewing and offers insight into his brewing process and how he crafts many of their popular beers.

At the request of NZB Podcast listeners, Kelly was also generous enough to share the recipe for their Godzone Beat (Aka "Hyperlocal") New Zealand Pale Ale.

In episode #22 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are celebrating the holidays with the first annual "Christmas Q & A" show.

In this episode we tackle your homebrewing and beer-style questions, and we also crack into two listener beers that were sent in to be reviewed (Including a Hefeweizen, as well as a clone attempt of Kainui's Rank and File Porter).

In episode #21 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by James Hay, from B.Effect Brewing.

Located in Wanaka, James explains how he draws inspiration from the surrounding wine country, and incorporates wine making techniques and (especially) yeast strains, into their beer.

James was also generous enough to share the recipe for their "Secret Garden IPA" a unique and truly "Central Otago" Ale.

We also crack into two home-brewed Oatmeal Stouts which were sent in by listeners who challenged us to pick a winner!

In episode #20 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Sam Whitney, the head brewer at Wellington's Hey Day Beer Co.

Sam lets us in on the process of setting up their relatively new Wellington Brew Pub and discusses the joys of getting to brew a different beer with almost every brew, as apposed to being stuck brewing the same five or six beers over and over again like most production breweries tend to.

Sam was also generous enough to share the recipe for their Foxtail West Coast Double IPA.

We also crack into a "Golden Ale" sent in by one of our listeners, and discuss the latest developments at Kainui Brew Co and the upcoming SOBA NHC Homebrew Competition.

In episode #19 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Hamish Ward, the head brewer at Deep Creek Brewing.

Hamish shares a bit of his personal journey as a brewer as well as the story of Deep Creek, the beers that they brew, and some of the recent changes to their business model.

In this episode Hamish was also generous enough to share the recipe for their Dusty Gringo India Brown Ale. Dusty Gringo won a gold medal and was named Champion American-style Ale at the 2017 New World Beer & Cider Awards

In episode #18 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast, beer writer, Michael Donaldson, joins us to discuss the history of beer in New Zealand. We'll take a bit of a journey through time as we explore the history behind some of this country's first brews, how the original Burton-style ales evolved into NZ Draught, the uniquely Kiwi brewing process known as "continuous fermentation", and the birth of the modern craft beer movement in New Zealand.

In this episode Michael also shares the recipe for his much loved, Smoked Doppelbock

We also crack into some homebrewed "Applejack", and a new Brett beer from Kainui Brew Co.

In episode #17 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Eliott Menzies and Eddie Gapper from Altitude Brewing Company.

Located in beautiful Queenstown, Altitude Brewing has been gaining attention as one of New Zealand's finest up-and-coming craft breweries. Their "Persistent High" Hefeweizen was one of only 15 beers (out of approximately 500) to win a gold medal at this year's New World Beer Awards. In this episode Elliott and Eddie tell us how they got started brewing beer and share insight into their beers, their process, and their recipes.

In this episode Elliott also shares the recipe for their Gold Medal Winning "Mischievous Kea" IPA.

We also crack into a "Belgian Quad" that was sent in by one of our listeners.

In episode #16 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Ben Middlemiss,  Head Brewer of Brothers Beer.

Ben Middlemiss is truly a New Zealand brewing legend. He started brewing beer in his teens, and has gone on to help shape New Zealand's brewing industry through his work at a number of breweries, including Marlborough Brewing Company, Cock and Bull/Steam Brewing, Australis, Martinborough Brewery, the Shakespeare Tavern, the Ben Middlemiss Brewing Company, and more recently, Brothers Beer.

Ben has been called "a member of the holy trinity of New Zealand brewers", in Michael Donaldson’s book “Beer Nation", and he has received praise by Michael Jackson in his legendary, "Great Beer Guide".

In this episode Ben also shares one of his very own homebrew recipes for a New Zealand Pale Ale.

In episode #15 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Hamish Jones from Christchurch's Concept Brewing Company.

Hamish loves experimenting and the beers that Concept is producing are some of the most unique beers in New Zealand. While Concept does have a few traditional styles in their core lineup, they seem to be known for their more exotic offerings such as Truffle beer, Oak Smoked Wheat Beer, and even Spinach Beer!

In this episode Hamish also shares the recipe for their "Beyond The Realm" Gruit, an ancient style of beer that does not use any hops at all.

In episode #14 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Luke Nicholas of Epic Brewing Company.

Epic's Pale Ale is a modern craft beer classic, and the Armageddon IPA has been called "the best beer in New Zealand". In the episode Luke shares the story of his company, and sheds some light on his approach to producing some of New Zealand's finest craft beer.

In this episode we also share one of our own recipes for a "Hoppy American Amber" ale, and crack into a smoked beer that was sent in from one of our listeners.

In episode #13 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Brian Watson of Good George Brewing Company. Brian offers insight into their business model and their drive to always deliver the best beer possible. Brian was also generous enough to share the recipe for their "Good George Sparkling Ale"

In episode #12 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Doug and Gabi Michael from Gladfield Malt, New Zealand's very own Craft Malting Company. Doug and Gabi share their insight into growing and malting barley in New Zealand and brewing the perfect "red beer". They were generous enough to share the recipe for their "Red IPA", a hoppy red ale that uses many of their signature malts.

In episode #11 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we are joined by Stu McKinlay from Wellington's Yeastie Boys Brewing Company, one of the pioneers of New Zealand's modern craft beer industry. Stu shares his unique approach to recipe creation as well as the recipe to their highly regarded "Gunnamatta" IPA; an Early Grey infused India Pale Ale that happens to be one of their most popular beers.

Søren Eriksen from Warkworth's 8 Wired Brewing Company, joins us to discuss his approach to brewing, their barrel program, and to share the recipe for their trophy winning Red IPA, "Tall Poppy".

In episode #9 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we chat with Annika Naschitski from Wellington's Tiamana Brewing Company joins us for a chat about her views on New Zealand's brewing industry, and her German-inspired beer.

Annika was also generous enough to share the recipe for Tiamana's "Seppl" Ale; a Weissbier brewed with orange zest and Jasmine tea.

In episode #8 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we chat with Andrew Childs from Behemoth Brewing Company about their beer, brewing philosophy, and soon-to-be-opened brew pub.

Andrew was also generous enough to share the recipe for their "Chur" NZ Pale Ale. Chur is their flagship beer and a pretty tasty NZ pale ale.

In episode #7 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we chat with Jason Bathgate from Mcleod’s Brewery about all their recent wins at this years ...

In episode #6 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we chat with Tom Coleman from SOBA (Society of Beer Advocates) about brewing beer for New ...

In episode #5 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we chat with Matt Dainty from Upper Hutt's Boneface Brewing company. The comic book inspired brewery is a fairly new player on New Zealand's craft beer scene, but they are making big waves with their impressive lineup of hop forward beers. In the interview Matt was nice enough to share the recipe for their "Darkness India Stout", a deliciously hoppy, American stout.

In addition to our feature segment with Matt from Boneface, we also take a few homebrew related questions that were submitted by listeners.

In episode #4 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we chat with Lee-Ann Scotti and Michael O'Brien from Oamaru's Craftwork Brewery. Craftwork specializes in brewing hand-crafted Belgian-style ales and they are one of the most unique and artisanal breweries in New Zealand. In this episode Lee-Ann and Michael are also nice enough to share the recipe for their "Saison Zest".

In addition to our feature segment with Craftwork, Gary and John review a homebrewed beer that was sent in by the brewing team "A Baby Named Brewce", and take a few questions submitted by listeners.

In episode #3 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we take a trip down to Wellington for "Beervana", New Zealand's premier craft beer festival. You'll hear from dozens of New Zealand's most respected brewers and others in the industry, as they tell us about the beers they are pouring and give us a sense of the current state of New Zealand's craft beer scene.

In addition to a virtual walk around the concourse of the Westpac Stadium, your favourite co-host, Gary Henwood from Kainui Brew Co, has been generous enough to share their "Rank and File" American Porter Recipe, which is now available in select bottle shops, as well as in their Kerikeri tasting room.

In episode #2 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we’ll chat with Ron Trigg from Mike’s Beer,New Zealand’s oldest real craft brewery. In this interview ...

We’re excited to announce the release of the very first New Zealand Brewer Podcast Episode! In episode #1 of the New Zealand Brewer Podcast we’ll ...