Best New Zealand craft beers & ciders for 2024

Beer Baroness Slice Of Heaven

Type of beer: Hazy & juicy

Brewery: Beer Baroness

Flavours: Pineapple, passionfruit, juicy

Judges’ comments: Paying homage to a Dave Dobbyn-penned classic, this pitch-perfect beer offers a medley of heavenly hop hits in the form of Nectaron and Nelson Sauvin, two stand-out Kiwi hops that sing with tropical punchbowl flavours. The pineapple-passionfruit aroma is followed by mango, pineapple and white wine on the palate. The flavour changes as the beer gently warms up in the glass, so it’s worth taking your time to explore and savour those flavours It has a spritzy carbonation and a dry finish that brings you back for another sip. For a hazy, there’s a nice level of bitterness as well.  “Hits the style markers well,” said the judges, “juicy, rich and balanced.”

Pairing Recommendation: Sweet juiciness offsets Malaysian-style Mee Goreng noodles.

For more on this beer visit: https://beerbaroness.co.nz

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Brew Moon Waipara New England IPA

Type of beer: Hazy & juicy

Brewery: Brew Moon Brewing Company

Flavours: Mandarin and tropical juice

Judges’ comments: Brew Moon are one of Aotearoa’s most established craft breweries with a history dating back over 20 years. Based in the North Canterbury town of Amberley, they’ve been a family-run business since the start. They’re well known for their flagship Hop Head IPA but this is their first time in the New World Beer & Cider Awards Top 30, and it’s a well-deserved appearance with an amazing hazy IPA named for the local wine region. “Bold tropical notes with grapefruit and mandarin peel. Hop aroma carries through into the palate. Medium malt sweetness, low and smooth bitterness. Balance en pointe for a juicy impression. Clean, supportive fruity esters integrate with hop profile. Great hop intensity. Excellent beer!”

Pairing Recommendation: A great beer for a southern-style BBQ: beef brisket or pulled pork.

For more on this beer visit: https://brewmoon.co.nz

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Hallertau Summer Time Haze

Type of beer: Hazy & juicy 

Brewery:  Hallertau Brewery

Flavours: Sweet orange and mandarin

Judges’ comments: Hallertau, located in the rapidly growing north-west Auckland suburb of Riverhead, stands as one of the trailblazers of the hoppy beer revolution in Aotearoa during the early 2000’s. Alongside Epic, they were pioneers of American-style hop-driven IPAs, and with Summer Time, they exemplify years of expertise with hops. The balance in this brew is as exquisite as its appearance, with a finish that is subtly sweet yet refreshingly clean. The taste profile boasts notes of sweet orange and mandarin that linger until the very last sip. Judges were impressed by how the delightful citrus aromas seamlessly transitioned into the flavor. "This hazy beer is a sight to behold. It exudes a delightful juicy hop aroma and a pronounced orange flavor. A stellar representation of this beer style."

Pairing Recommendation: Sweet orange suits Moroccan lamb shoulder with couscous, dates, goats cheese.

For more on this beer visit: www.hallertau.co.nz

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Mount Brewing Co Crazy Hazy Daze

Type of beer: Hazy & juicy

Brewery: Mount Brewing Co.

Flavours: Sweet, ripe pineapple

Judges’ comments: Mount Maunganui's local heroes have solidified their place in the Top 30, thanks to their exceptional ciders and flavorful beers. Their success has firmly established them as key players in the Aotearoa’s craft beer industry. Crazy Hazy Daze is a testament to the brew team's expertise, showcasing a beautifully complex beer that expertly conceals its high ABV. Judges couldn't stop praising this beer, from its stunning appearance to its luxurious texture and well-rounded mouthfeel. The tropical fruit flavors are described as mouth-watering, with hints of pineapple, sugary buns, and savory herbal notes seamlessly woven into the brew.

Pairing Recommendation: Big beer and rich texture goes well with the spicy Thai salad such as Larb Gai.

For more on this beer visit: https://mountbrewingco.com

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b.effect Social Experiment West Coast IPA

Type of beer: IPA

Brewery: b.effect

Flavours: Smooth sweet and savoury

Judges’ comments: Wanaka-based b.effect has made a stylish entrance as newcomers to the Top 30. Founded by James Hay in 2015, b.effect draws inspiration from the "Butterfly Effect" concept coined by meteorologist Edward Lorenz. Their latest creation, part of the ever-evolving Social Experiment series, showcases the Mosaic hop known for its exceptional fruit-savoury profile. This brew boasts bold flavors of blueberry and basil, earning high praise from judges who described it as fresh, tropical, and expertly crafted. It's a beer that's sure to leave you wanting more!

Pairing Recommendation: Super smooth IPA works with spicy fried chicken.

For more on this beer visit: https://beffect.nz/

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Brave Brewing Co - Terrible Lizards

Type of beer: IPA

Brewery:  Brave Brewing Co

Flavours: Big peach hop character, smooth

Judges’ comments: Terrible Lizards — a reference to the film Jurassic Park — won the IPA trophy at the New Zealand Beer Awards last year. In achieving a Top 30 spot here this year, the judges think this is one of the best IPA on the market in Aotearoa. They loved the blend of peach, pine and perfumed hoppy notes, and were ecstatic about the balance achieved between the juicy hops, rich malt, and just-right bitterness. “It’s peachy with hints of fresh green grass. Rounded on the palate with some lovely carbonation. Finishes with a solid, lingering bitterness but with balance. Lovely length. Well-made beer. Very approachable and great drinkability.”

Pairing Recommendation: Punchy IPA can handle rich, sweet St Louis-style pork ribs.

For more on this beer visit: www.bravebrewing.co.nz

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Emerson's Reverb NZ IPA

Type of beer: IPA

Brewery: Emerson's Brewery

Flavours: Juicy Fruit chewing gum

Judges’ comments:  Emerson's Reverb, one of the top four beers from the esteemed Dunedin brewery, stands out as the sole all-Kiwi IPA in this year's lineup. This beer beautifully showcases the power of Aotearoa-grown hops, proving that they can rival the beloved American varieties often favored in IPAs. With a pungent aroma of grapefruit, and rosewater. Emerson's Reverb strikes a perfect balance between a weighty malt presence and a dry, refreshing finish that truly allows the hops to shine. The fruity hop notes gracefully transition into a delightfully punchy bitterness, earning high praise from judges as a "classic IPA" with a fruity hop aroma, a dry palate bursting with fresh, intense citrus hops, and a satisfyingly high level of bitterness.  

Pairing Recommendation: Fruity hops go well with pork & fennel sausages.

For more on this beer visit: www.emersons.co.nz

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Parrotdog Thunderbird

Type of beer: IPA

Brewery: Parrotdog

Flavours: Juicy, clean, light & bright

Judges’ comments: Thunderbird was released less than a week before judging and went straight into our Top 30 — a sure sign the brew team has nailed the flavour profile first time around! Calling it a Bright IPA indicates, clearly, that this is not a hazy, with Parrotdog recognising there’s a demand for crystal clear beers. But it’s also not a “heavy” IPA — in either ABV or hop bitterness. Rather it’s light, bright, juicy, slightly sweet — all the flavours of a hazy but with “brilliant clarity,” noted the judges. "Drinks very nicely. Nice juicy tropical hoppy flavour with sweet malt structure, well integrated. Nice bittering well balanced with a lingering pleasant aftertaste. Well-made beer, very drinkable IPA.”

Pairing Recommendation: Light and juicy IPA would love pork schnitzel.

For more on this beer visit: www.parrotdog.co.nz

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Lakeman Big Hairy APA

Type of beer: Pale Ale

Brewery: Lakeman Brewing Limited

Flavours: Well-rounded, hoppy-malty. Big

Judges’ comments: Taupo-based Lakeman claimed two of the top 3 spots in the pale ale category. Big Hairy is their original brew from when they started out 11 years ago and it’s been refined and tweaked over the years. While their other Top 30 pale ale, Taupo Thunder, is an Aotearoa-style pale ale, this is an out-and-out American Pale Ale. The classic US hop aroma delivers citrus, diesel, and fresh-cut grass. The malt density creates sweetness to counter the big hops. The judges raved about the “well-rounded” character, noting the way the fruity hops and delicate bitterness are interwoven with fresh malt character on a “big pillowy palate”. “Great beer. Would drink again,” they said.

Pairing Recommendation: Hefty hoppy beer equals nachos with heaps of cheese.

For more on this beer visit: www.lakemanbrewing.co.nz

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Lakemans Taupo Thunder NZ Pale Ale

Type of beer: Pale Ale

Brewery:  Lakeman Brewing Limited 

Flavours: Citrus, pine, passionfruit, sweet over bitter

Judges’ comments: Lakeman had an outstanding competition with three beers in the Top 30. Taupo Thunder is a celebration of two distinctive Aotearoa hops Riwaka and Moutere and delivers a distinctive sweet passionfruit aroma on the nose. That moves aside as grapefruit and pine characters take over on the palate. There’s a toffee-like malt character that amps up the sweet notes and allows the robust hop character to blend in seamlessly. The judges were impressed with the presentation and balance of this beer. “Presents well. Well-balanced, well-made beer. Very drinkable. I would happily enjoy a pint at the pub.”

Pairing Recommendation: A Kiwi-hopped beer brewed on beef and lamb farm? A roast leg of lamb.

For more on this beer visit: www.lakemanbrewing.co.nz

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Panhead Supercharger APA

Type of beer: Pale Ale

Brewery: Panhead Brewery

Flavours: Orange zest, tangy bitterness

Judges’ comments: Supercharger returns to our Top 30 for the second year running, and it’s hard to argue with the judges when they consistently pick this out of a line-up. Supercharger, aka the Orange One, commands the attention of your tastebuds with its citrus and tropical fruit hop aroma and flavour. Its popularity across a wide demographic of beer fans. The key to Supercharger’s success is the perfect balance between malt and hops. The judges noting it had “just enough malt to carry the citrus hop bitterness”. In the pantheon of Kiwi craft beers, it’s one of the greats.

Pairing Recommendation: Robust beer wants a robust dinner, so steak and chips with caramalised onions.

For more on this beer visit: panheadcustomales.com

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Garage project Bliss Lager

Type of beer: Lager

Brewery: Garage project

Flavours: Super smooth lager

Judges’ comments: This simple but flavoursome lager is from a brewery best known for making far more complicated beer. Bliss is brewed in the traditional lager fashion and stored at sub-zero temperatures which helps create a smoother flavour and allows microscopic particles to drop out producing a brilliantly bright beer. This has a super-clean aroma, a light touch of sweet lemon from the hops, and delicate balance that falls just on the sweet side. Bliss is a 4.5% ABV with Hollywood-level good looks and a smooth, gentle flavour.

Pairing Recommendation: Light and bright lager does well with pork & chive dumplings.

For more on this beer visit: www.garageproject.co.nz

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Lakeman Primate Pilsner

Type of beer: Pilsner

Brewery: Lakeman Brewing Limited

Flavours: Crisp, refreshing, sunny citrus

Judges’ comments: Last year’s champion beer returns for another round, this time as the trophy winner in the Pilsner category. That says a lot about the reliability and consistency of the team at Lakeman’s farm-based brewery in Taupo. They’ve worked incredibly hard on perfecting this recipe and it’s an encapsulation of everything an Aotearoa-style pilsner should be: slightly sweet, a bit of diesel, some tropical fruit and a grating of citrus zest. The judges picked up that trademark diesel and underlying herbaceous character. The hop character is “very loud and carries through to palate” the judges added, noting the beer finishes dry and clean despite all that hop noise.

Pairing Recommendation: Classic Kiwi pilsner deserves a classic Kiwi BBQ of lamb chops and sausages.

For more on this beer visit: www.lakemanbrewing.co.nz

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McLeod's Longboard Lager

Type of beer: Lager

Brewery: McLeod's Brewery

Flavours: Hoppier than a normal lager

Judges’ comments: The team from Waipu in Northland consistently impresses with their Top 30 presence, and their award-winning beer is a standout in the industry. Longboarder Lager is renowned for its unwavering quality, bold flavors, and impressive consistency. Its recent champion lager title at the New Zealand Beer Awards speaks volumes about its excellence, especially when competing against international giants. Every aspect of Longboarder reflects the meticulous brewing process, from its luxurious texture to its perfectly balanced flavors. With a slightly hoppy twist on a traditional European-style lager, this beer effortlessly combines boldness with beauty, creating a truly delightful and delicious experience.

Pairing Recommendation: The purity of this hoppy lager melds well with a woodfired pizza.

For more on this beer visit: https://mcleodsbrewery.co.nz/

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Panhead Port Road Pilsner

Type of beer: Pilsner

Brewery: Panhead Custom Ales and Lion Breweries

Flavours: Light, bright lemon-passionfruit

Judges’ comments: Aotearoa’s most-awarded beer is back, baby. If Supercharger is the lead character in the Panhead movie, Port Road Pils is the supporting actor who walks away with all the awards. The judges praised the pale lemon appearance, the tight, white frothy head and the super-bright clarity — this is a very pretty beer. A “breadcrust” malt character is backed by a “light passionfruit and tropical hop aroma which carries through and integrates into the palate with good intensity”. The judges added that it was “crisp, clean, with medium bitterness balanced by malt sweetness for excellent drinkability. Fantastic beer!”

Pairing Recommendation: Zippy pilsner wants zappy spice — Thai green curry chicken.

For more on this beer visit: https://panheadcustomales.com/

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Steinlager Classic

Type of beer: Lager

Brewery: Steinlager

Flavours: Classic Kiwi Lager

Judges’ comments: Well, it’s about time! And it’s time to remind yourself why this durable and loved beer has been around for nearly 70 years. It was first brewed in 1958 — and has won both international awards as well as global recognition as a symbol of Aotearoa in various sporting arenas. Popping the top, you get that distinctive grainy-lemon-sulphur aroma. Full-bodied, super smooth and with that distinctive sweet-lemon character, it finishes clean and refreshing.

Pairing Recommendation: Perfect to sit beside an Indian curry such as butter chicken.

For more on this beer visit: https://www.steinlager.com/

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Emerson's London Porter

Type of beer: Stout & porter

Brewery: Emerson's Brewery

Flavours: Milk chocolate, coffee

Judges’ comments: Emerson’s London Porter is an absolute legend in the Kiwi craft beer scene. There are very few small-batch beers with the longevity of this Emerson’s original. It was the beer that launched Emerson’s in 1992 and was first poured at Oamaru’s historic Criterion Hotel. And 32 years later it’s still one of the best beers in the country based on its performance at these awards. Porter is one of the oldest beer styles in the world, and for good reason — it has all the elements you need in a beer: malt sweetness, a little bit hoppy, creamy texture, excellent palate weight without being heavy and some drying bitterness. Expect coffee and chocolate some earthy, mellow hop character.

Pairing Recommendation: A classic London Porter loves a good pork pie.

For more on this beer visit: www.emersons.co.nz

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Emerson's Mexicoco Chocolate Chili Porter

Type of beer: Porter

Brewery: Emerson's Brewery

Flavours: Chocolate, cinnamon hint of chili

Judges’ comments: A beer to warm your heart as the weather starts to cool,: a chocolate and chilli-spiced porter with an ABV of 9.3%. Brewed with roasted cacao nibs, red chillies, vanilla, and cinnamon it’s designed as the beer equivalent of a spiced hot chocolate and it hits all its marks with aplomb. The chocolate dominates the flavour initially before some light spice and heat creep in while the vanilla adds a sense of sweetness. It’s complex but coherent and a wonderful drinking experience. “Nice example of intensity not running away,” the judges noted. “Well-balanced with bitterness and spice. A big, intense, flavoured beer, well-integrated and well-balanced.”

Pairing Recommendation: The big warm spice and sweet notes make a great dessert beer paired with berry cheesecake.

For more on this beer visit: www.emersons.co.nz

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Sprig + Fern The G.O.A.T Doppelbock

Type of beer: Bock

Brewery: Sprig + Fern Brewing Co.

Flavours: Rich toffee, choccy biscuits

Judges’ comments: After a Top 30 in 2019, and the past two years in the Highly Commended category, Sprig & Fern’s aptly-named G.O.A.T steps up again. They call this beer G.O.A.T because “bock” in German translates to goat. But we all know what G.O.A.T really stands for: “greatest of all time”. Big claim? Not when it comes to Aotearoa-brewed doppelbocks: this is the leader of the pack. The judges were rapt with everything from its presentation to the aftertaste. “Aroma is rich biscuity malt, and some toasty notes. Flavour is malt forward but balanced, chocolate and toffee with a bittersweet flavour and finish.”

Pairing Recommendation: Rich caramel sweetness will meld nicely with porcini mushroom pasta or risotto.

For more on this beer visit: sprigandfern.co.nz

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8 Wired Desperate Glory - Oud Bruin

Type of beer: Barrel-aged & wood-aged

Brewery: 8 Wired Brewing

Flavours: Complex, tart-sweet: cherry, cocoa, vanilla

Judges’ comments: "Warkworth-based brewery 8 Wired has produced the champion beer of 2024. Desperate Glory, a Belgian Amber Ale is a sublime creation made in collaboration with Small Gods, who specialise in old-world beer styles. Rich in dates, brown sugar and spice, it’s aged for a year in oak bourbon barrels to bring out vanilla notes, a little tartness and a cherry like aroma. An infusion of Chinese Keemun tea adds a light floral character with hints of tobacco and cocoa. The result is a remarkable beer with some wine-like qualities, and as such will pair beautifully with food. It’s surprisingly light on the palate, but there’s a depth of flavour and complexity that will keep bringing you back for more."

Pairing Recommendation: Wine-like complex beer goes well with rich, hearty slow-cooked beef cheek stew.

For more on this beer visit: https://8wired.co.nz

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Garage Project Pickle Beer

Type of beer: Sour beer

Brewery: Garage Project - Aro St brewery

Flavours: As it says: dill pickles!

Judges’ comments: If you’ve never heard of a pickle beer, let alone considered drinking one, get ready for a palate-changing, mind-blowing experience! It’s a lightly sour beer brewed with cucumbers and dill pickle spices, including dill, mustard seeds and habanero chilli (very light chilli heat). While it’s described as sour, it’s more lightly tart — like pickle juice. The aroma is unmistakably the same as you get when you open a pickle jar. The cucumber comes forward on the palate and the judges noted how the “spices shine through, giving the impression of pickle juice”. They summarised: “A very complex and well-handled blend of flavours that work well together. Very interesting beer. Well done.”

Pairing Recommendation: A pickle beer, what else but a classic American cheeseburger, with pickles.

For more on this beer visit: www.garageproject.co.nz

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Mount Brewing Co Muito Bom

Type of beer: Wheat & other grain beer

Brewery: Mount Brewing Co

Flavours: Citrus, bubblegum and spice

Judges’ comments: Muito Bom translates from Portuguese as “very good” — and that’s the case here. This Mount Brewing drop, created in collaboration with Brazilian brewery ZEV (hence the name, Muito Bom) is a Belgian-style Witbier, which traditionally features orange zest and coriander seed. Here, Mount Brewing have gone in boots ‘n’ all on the additions, using lime, orange and grapefruit zest, along with ginger and coriander to create a huge depth of flavour. There’s lots of citrus balanced against sweet malts while the ginger adds a gentle heat and extra dimension. The judges described it as lovely. “Lovely slightly hazy straw colour. Gentle lemon zest aroma, with mild spicy yeast character. Soft doughy malt flavour, light body and gentle malt sweetness. Lovely beer!”

Pairing Recommendation: The tangy citrus and spice suits fish and chips or mussels in white wine.

For more on this beer visit: https://mountbrewingco.com/

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Three Sisters Wild One #1

Type of beer: Other ales & beers

Brewery: Three Sisters Brewery

Flavours: Lemon, clove, vanilla, spritzy

Judges’ comments: Last year Aotearoa’s only domestic yeast lab, Froth Tech, discovered a unique native yeast. Released under the name “Wilding” it produces intriguing flavours reminiscent of a Belgian farmhouse ale —spice, pepper, vanilla, and citrus. New Plymouth’s Three Sisters took that yeast and combined it with a super-citrussy hop, Citra, to create a remarkable 3.2% beer. There’s so much interesting and refreshing flavour, it should be a must-try for beer drinkers seeking something new and unusual. The judges picked up citrus hops mixed with pear and a subtle clove spice “that doesn't detract and provides complexity … Decent mouthfeel for the ABV, with some soft carbonation. Lemon pith and a hint of acid drops, with a dry finish.”

Pairing Recommendation: Refreshing citrus and spice notes go well with charcuterie board.

For more on this beer visit: https://threesistersbrewery.store/

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Morningcider BLACK

Type of beer: Cider blends - cider with fruit

Brewery: Morningcider/HANCOCKS

Flavours: Intense blackcurrant and berries

Judges’ comments: In recent years, if the New World Beer & Cider Awards are on, so are Morningcider! The cidery, based in the thriving Auckland food and drink suburb of Morningside, are regulars here and this year they’ve landed with an impressive-looking black can containing two types of “black” fruit: blackcurrant and blackberry. The flavour is intense, deep and rich: reminiscent of Ribena but with more complexity and elegance. “Vibrant berry aroma and great blackcurrant flavour,” said the judges. “Light and tart but with plenty of body. Long tart berry finish. The palate is full and rich. Hints of vanilla. Cider has complexity and blackcurrant melds well. Good crisp acidity. Moreish and delicious.”

Pairing Recommendation: The rich flavour suits a gamey dish such as venison or duck.

For more on this beer visit: morningcider.co

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Peckham's Hazy Apple Cider

Type of beer: Traditional cider - medium

Brewery: Peckham's Cidery and Orchard

Flavours: Spiced apple cake

Judges’ comments: Peckham's Cidery and Orchard is owned and run by Lois and Jody Scott, having taken over from the original Peckham family in 2023. Jody was the chief cidermaker at Zeffer for many years, winning plenty of Top 30 gongs in that time. It’s no surprise he’s made the top cider in this year’s competition. This unfiltered cider literally bursts with flavour. It’s also wild-fermented which means it’s a bit “funky” on the nose, but it tastes divine. The judges said the flavour was like cinnamon apple cake. “A lovely and easy-to-drink traditional-style cider. Amazingly round body, rich and juicy fruit, toffee apples, and a great acidity balance — everything you want in a traditional cider.”

Pairing Recommendation: The rich and juicy apple in this is looking for pork loins chops and potatoes.

For more on this beer visit: https://www.peckhams.co.nz/

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