Beervana

Several years ago I went to a ‘beer festival’ as part of the Queenstown Winter Festival. In a marquee on a rugby pitch people sat at cramped tables and drank jugs of mass produced fizzy execrable lager. The event was sponsored by one particular beer manufacturer so there was only one variety of beer on offer.

The ticket price included the opportunity to sit at a table in the cold – the beer itself was extra. As a nod to host responsibility there were plates of those vile purple sausages, white bread and tomato sauce. At irregular intervals an oompah band struck up – there were printed sheets of lyrics that you were encouraged to sing along with. It was like a drunken nightmare version of Butlins.

Because this was Southern Man territory there were women dressed as wenches with low-cut tops and push-up bras who brought the beer to your table, thus saving you the trouble of moving, or getting in anyone’s way. A friend of mine was one such wench. She had a terrible night and said someone vomited on her towards the end of the evening.

Fighting broke out, beer was thrown (far better than being drunk), the whole thing turned ugly and the ‘beer festival’ was cancelled from the next year’s programme. I can’t say I was disappointed, but I was sad that this is what Queenstowners thought a beer festival was.

Where were the variety of beers; the atmosphere of excitement; the thirst for knowledge; the chance to talk to brewers about their ales and compare different strains of malt, hops and yeast; the drinking for enjoyment and appreciation of taste rather than simple alcohol content?

All of this and more was at this weekend’s Brew NZ event, Beervana, in Wellington. Over 20 brewers from around the country and many more discerning drinkers gathered in the Overseas Terminal on the waterfront. Stalls flanked the walls and in the middle the conversation and the tasting notes hummed.

A very good and unobtrusive band played throughout the evening, and the food (which could be purchased with beer tokens) looked excellent and abundant – I saw venison sausages, mashed potatoes and mushy peas, turkey and ham rolls, and a mound of tasty cheeses. I have to admit I didn’t eat any because I was too busy tasting the beer – more of which in the next blog.

Outside it was cold and wet and windy – this is Wellington remember – but inside it truly was a beer heaven. Everyone involved in the organisation of this event is to be heartily congratulated. A great night out was had by all, and my faith in the New Zealand beer-drinking public has been restored.