One-man brewery named NZ’s best

A brewery run by just one person scooped the award for “New Zealand’s Champion Brewery” at the Brewers’ Guild of New Zealand Beer Awards last week.

Townshend Brewery in Nelson beat off competition from 74 fellow New Zealand breweries to win the title at the awards in Wellington last Thursday.

Founded and run by just one man, Martin Townshend (pictured above), the brewery was set up in 2005 and produces 50,000 litres of beer a year – it is still located at the Townshend family home in Rosedale.

Townshend said of the award: “Being named New Zealand’s Champion Brewery is a massive accolade.  It seems like only yesterday that I created my first brew in the shed.

“Like most things in life, the secret to success is passion, hard work and dedication to the task.  I still enjoy brewing now as much as I ever have and I think most brewers will tell you the same.  That said, it’s huge to be recognised and this award is the best possible recognition a brewer could get.”

Townshend also won awards in various categories including clinching the top medal in the “Specific Style” category for his Oldhams Tap Riwaka Pilsner.

The Boston Beer Company was named Champion International Brewery, Steve Nally won the award for Innovation or Achievement and Beer Writer of the Year went to Neil Miller.

Competition manager, Craig Bowen, commented: “Each year, more New Zealanders are getting into beer and cider brewing.  And each year, the task of judging at these Awards becomes much harder.

“Whether it’s a one man band or the larger more established breweries, New Zealand is enjoying a golden period in terms of the variety and quality of beers produced.  That’s what the Awards are about – recognising and celebrating excellence in our profession.”