Sam Calagione presents "Brewed"

[Styles]

So, has anyone heard about this? I got wind of it from a local beer blog, looks like Sam is coming to NZ, where he's going to be a guest judge at Beervana-NZ's biggest beer festival and beer awards. Epic, a prominent NZ craft beer is going to be featured in the programme, and I believe a collaborative brew between Luke (Epic) and Sam is on the way! I doubt we'll get it on TV here in NZ, but it sure sounds interesting!

http://fatfrankies.com/frankiesays/?p=402

 

[thezepster]

I cannot wait till this show is aired. If it's not aired in NZ then you should be able to watch it online. When is he supposed to be comming to NZ? Ill be moving there in January for a year, which I am extremely excited about! Im curious to how the beer culture is there.

 

[Styles]

Cool, I don't think the show will be aired in the states till next year. He must be coming here in the next couple of weeks, Beervana is on the 27th and 28th of August and he's here for that.
As for beer culture in NZ, it's still dominated by the macros, but craft beer is really starting to pick up, and is more widely accepted. Both of the main macros have craft beer brands that are actually quite good.
What are are you going to be in when you come over?

 

[thezepster]

Beervana is an annual thing? I'll be sure to put that on my calendar for next year. I'm basically just comming for the experience. Living in another country is something me and my girlfriend want to do before we have to grow up. I want to get a part-time job at a microbrewery, because I am planning on opening my own here in Texas within the next 4 years. Ive read a lot of articles about the beer scene there, and it sounds a lot like it is here is the states. Sadly the only NZ beer ive been able to find here in the states is Steinlager. Do you have any suggestions of what to look for when I get there?

 

[steinsato]

"Brewed" is scheduled to air in the Fall of 2010

 

[Styles]

Beervana is annual, it's NZ's biggest beer festival, and incorporates the BrewNZ beer awards. Well it's awesome that you're heading over here, it's a pretty sweet place, I hope you enjoy it. If you're in the Auckland area get in touch, I could show you a few pretty good spots.
In Auckland I'd recommend Hallertau just west of Auckland, they do really good modern craft beers, Galbraiths in Mt Eden, specialising in English style cask ales, the Leigh Sawmill Cafe is good for a pizza and their beer is pretty good, it's also very close to Goat Island marine reserve, for some of the best snorkelling in the world.
In Wellington I hear The Malthouse and Hashigo Zake are very good, but I've never been to either.
In Christchurch I can recommend The Twisted Hop and north of Christchurch in a little town called Amberly is a place called Brew Moon, who do good beers and awesome fries.
There's also a lot of good places in the Nelson/Marlborough area.
Check out http://www.soba.org.nz/ the Society Of Beer Advocates, you'll get some good info there.

 

[Styles]

Oh, and for beers you can get at (some) liquor stores I'd recommend Epic (all of the Epic beers are awesome), Three Boys (especially the golden ale and the oyster stout), Emerson's (I love the Bookbinder - a good sessionable ale). Renaissance also have a very good range. So yeah, there's a fair amount of choice!

 

[thezepster]

Sounds awesome! Im very excited to be there, and I cant wait to check out the beer. Thanks for all the info on the breweries. A google search just doesnt do justice. Ive read up on a few of those and they're all on my list to visit. Ill look for all those next time I go to the liquor store. Hopefully they'll have a few. Ill let u know when we're over there because we're gonna need someone to show us around for some good beer. Thanks again for all the info

 

[Styles]

No worries dude. I'll PM you some time with a bunch more detailed info, just I've been mad busy with work recently so haven't had the time, but I will get around to it.