Since the late 1970’s, the craft beer renaissance has spread
through the new world with brewers taking inspiration from the classic beer
styles of Europe and modifying them by
incorporating local ingredients. The pungent aromatic hops of Oregon
and Nelson have been increasingly showcased as American and New Zealand brewers strived to
create complex aromatic beers that could compete with wine for the hearts of
consumers.
Regional Beer Specialist ran the blind comparative tasting
of New Zealand
and American beers. The identities of all the beers were kept from the those
attending the tasting until after all voting was complete. In addition to the
usual 2 votes that were taken at the end of the tasting, a ‘running vote’ was
taken through the tasting to see whether American beers or New Zealand beers would come out on
top.
The results were as follows
|
|
American Ales
|
New
Zealand Ales
|
|
Thursday
|
72
|
68
|
|
Friday
|
36
|
53
|
|
Total
|
108
|
121
|