The New Zealand Beer Award 2023 winners were announced at the Awards Gala Dinner on the evening of Saturday, 5 August 2023 at the Wigram Airforce Museum, Christchurch. The first time in three years that the entire industry was able to get together, in person to celebrate at one venue.
Brave Brewing Co. owners, Matt and Gemma Smith and brewer Kalynn Glasscock travelled to the awards and were delighted to come away with 13 medals, as well as the coveted IPA Trophy, for the best IPA in New Zealand.
Held annually, the Brewers Guild of New Zealand Beer Awards are held in esteem worldwide due to the reputation of all involved in judging, organising and staging the event, with a world class selection of judges from New Zealand, Australia, America and beyond. This diversity of background and quality of judge ensures that the Awards have a huge reputation across the globe as one of the most prestigious accolades a brewer can win.
This year saw 825 entries across 15 classes, from 80 entrants.
Brave Brewing Co. are all about making quality, flavourful beer that is served fresh – just as it should be. Brave may have started as a backyard operation, and grown a little, but they’re still that same friendly neighbourhood brewery, serving quality, passionately brewed fresh beer.
Taking out the gold medal and trophy winning India Pale Ale award for one of Brave’s new products called ‘Terrible Lizards’ West Coast IPA.
IPA is an incredibly popular catergory, and very hard to win, this year there were 62 beers entered in the category. Congratulations to the Brave brewery team which consists of head brewer and co-owner Matt Smith, Adam Lamberg and Kalynn Glasscock. The 13 medals Brave collected on the night consisted of 1 gold, 6 silver and 6 bronze.
The Brave team will be working hard to brew another batch of the trophy winning IPA as soon as possible, this time we will package a portion of the product too. It had previously been keg only.
Although the win provides a great opportunity for growth and exposure, the Brave team has no immediate plans to grow significantly, or push into new markets. Rather, their plans are to continue to remain hyper local, a model which is proving to be very successful. Providing the people of Hawke’s Bay with top quality beer through their own taproom and eatery in the heart of Hastings, as well as supplying to local bars, restaurants, supermarkets and more. Further aspirations for the Brave team are building on their sustainability programme and working towards a B.Corp certification.
You can check out all the NZ Beer Awards 2023 Results here!
Visit Brave
Our friendly neighbourhood brewery is open five days a week. With an onsite taproom, eatery and flagon filling facility, we invite you to either enjoy a beer and a meal at the brewery, or to grab some items to go!