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Geoff Griggs – Beer Commentator

“a tireless and fastidious reporter of the New Zealand brewing scene” – Michael Jackson  

During a twenty-year career as a video journalist for BBC Television News Geoff visited and worked in most European countries, as well as Russia and parts of the U.S. During his travels he seized the opportunity to sample and to learn about many characterful and distinctive beer styles in their local environments.  

Before leaving England he was an active member of Britain’s Campaign For Real Ale* (CAMRA) for eighteen years. Chairman of the Mid Chilterns branch for twelve years, Geoff organised and judged at local beer festivals and competitions and has worked at CAMRA’s national ‘Great British Beer Festival’. He retains a life membership. 

* With a membership in excess of 80,000, CAMRA has been described as ‘the most effective consumer organisation in Europe’. By promoting choice and quality CAMRA has become both watchdog and advisor to the British brewing industry and government. CAMRA is the beer-drinkers champion in Britain.

In April 1995, soon after arriving in New Zealand, Geoff began presenting educative beer tasting and discussion evenings on behalf of Wellington’s specialist independent beer retailer, Regional Wines & Spirits. These tutored tastings have continued uninterrupted for the last 14 years. In that time Geoff has also conducted dozens of presentations for corporate clients and has hosted numerous staff training sessions for beer-related businesses such as Lion Breweries, Progressive Enterprises and The Malthouse (one of Wellington’s leading specialist beer bars). 

Over the years Geoff has written for Cuisine and Essentially Food magazines as well as a range of trade publications including Food & Beverage, Hospitality, Retail Today, Grill, FMCG Liquor and BWS. In addition he has a weekly column in The Marlborough Express and a monthly column in Capital Times (Wellington’s leading arts and tourist newspaper). Geoff also reviews beers for the New World supermarket group on the South Island and contributes to Realbeer.co.nz, the New Zealand brewing industry’s leading online resource. 

Geoff has been interviewed by National Radio and Newstalk ZB and his work has been reported in North & South, Reader’s Digest, The Sunday News, The Listener and numerous provincial newspapers. He is the only NZ beer writer to have been credited by ‘Beer Hunter’ Michael Jackson in his definitive books and was honoured to write the New Zealand chapter in Michael’s final publication, The Eyewitness Companion Guide to Beer. More recently he wrote the New Zealand chapter for another world guide, “The Beer Book” (DK books) 

A former executive committee member of the Brewers Guild of New Zealand (BGNZ), Geoff is also the current president of New Zealand’s beer consumer group, the Society of Beer Advocates (SOBA).  

Geoff has also been a member of the judging panels at many national and international beer competitions.
These include:          
- World Beer Cup 2008, San Diego California (the world’s largest beer competition)
- BrewNZ Beer Awards, Wellington, New Zealand 2002 - 2008.
- NZ International Beer Awards, Nelson, New Zealand; 1999 (Chairman of judges) 2000, 2002 - 2008.
- New Zealand Beer & Food Fest; 1995, 1996 and 1997 (Chairman of judges).
- New Zealand Annual Beer & Food Festival; 1996 (Chairman of judges).
- NZ Brewersfest; 1997 (with Michael Jackson).
- Blues Brews and Barbecues Beer Awards (Blenheim); 1999.  

Tributes:  
- “a tireless and fastidious reporter of the New Zealand brewing scene” (Michael Jackson – 2007)
- “New Zealand’s leading beer commentator” (New World supermarkets – 2003)
- “NZ's leading expert on the subject of beer” (Luke Nicholas – Real Beer Page Australia & NZ – 2000)
- “arguably the most authoritative beer commentator in New Zealand” (Grant Jones - Regional Wines & Spirits, Wellington – 2003)  

Geoff can be contacted at 021 TOP ALE (021 867 253) or geoff.griggs@slingshot.co.nz
Staff Recommendations

RAYMOND

You must stock up on 2008 vintage Martinborough Pinot Noir. It's a GREAT year. These must be the BEST VALUE from the two dozen we tasted...

KIERAN

Its been an extremely busy few weeks. I have been down to Dunedin to brew at Emerson’s, I have catered a beer festival, run a few tastings and now I’m getting ready for Emerson’s Week, after that its BrewNZ, did anyone say Christmas?
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Ground Shaking Single Malts from Japan and New Zealand
Wednesday 21 or Wednesday 28 July, 6.00 pm start, Cost $60.00 pp, Limit 30 places each night

Pale Ale
Friday July 30th, 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm, in-store at Regional Wines, The Basin Reserve, NO CHARGE.

Pale Ale Instore tasting
Friday July 30th, 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm, in-store at Regional Wines, The Basin Reserve, NO CHARGE.

Redmetal with Winemaker Grant Edmonds
Saturday July 31st, 11.00 am to 4.00 pm, in-store at Regional Wines, The Basin Reserve, NO CHARGE.

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