New Zealand has a long and proud history of brewing beer, with the tradition dating back to the early 1800s. From traditional English-style cask ales to modern styles of craft beer, New Zealand has been at the forefront of beer innovation for over 200 years. In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of beer in New Zealand and the development of the craft beer industry.
Early Years of Beer in New Zealand
The first beer brewed in New Zealand was in 1819 by a German-born settler named Johann Fauvel. He built a brewery near the harbour in Hobsonville, Auckland, and began producing pale-ale style beer. This first beer set the stage for future New Zealand brewers, and soon breweries began popping up throughout the country.
The first major commercial brewer in New Zealand was Morton Coutts, who opened his brewery in 1835. He went on to develop the iconic New Zealand beer, Lion Red, and was the first to bring lager beer to New Zealand, setting a new standard for beer production in the country.
Throughout the 19th century, other major breweries sprang up across the country, such as Speights in Dunedin, DB in Auckland, and Monteiths in Greymouth. These breweries began producing beers and ales in the traditional English style, and this soon became the norm for New Zealand brewers.
Evolution of Craft Beer in New Zealand
Over the years, the craft beer movement has grown steadily in New Zealand, with more breweries and styles of beer than ever before. The “craft beer revolution” in New Zealand began in the late 1980s, with the introduction of craft breweries like Emerson’s in Dunedin and Tuatara in Wellington.
These craft breweries began experimenting with new flavors and styles, and soon New Zealand had an abundance of craft breweries making a variety of styles of beer, from Pale Ales to India Pale Ales (IPAs), to Stouts and Porters, and much more.
Today, craft breweries are a staple of the New Zealand beer scene, with craft beer bars and brewpubs popping up throughout the country. These craft breweries have become an integral part of New Zealand’s culture and economy, creating jobs and boosting local economies across the nation.
The Future of Beer in New Zealand
The future of beer in New Zealand is looking even brighter than ever before. The craft beer industry continues to grow, with new breweries opening and existing breweries expanding. New styles of beer are also being developed, such as sour beers, barrel-aged beers, and fruited beers.
The future of the beer industry in New Zealand also looks bright. New Zealand is home to some of the world’s best beer, and this is reflected in the international beer awards the country has won in recent years.
New Zealand’s beer industry today can be summarised in three points:
- The continued growth of the craft beer industry.
- The emergence of new styles of beer.
- The continued international recognition of New Zealand beer.
As the popularity of beer in New Zealand continues to grow, it is exciting to think what the future of beer might bring. With more craft breweries opening and new styles of beer being developed every day, it is clear that New Zealand is becoming a global leader in beer innovation.
New Zealand beer drinkers can look forward to:
- More craft breweries.
- A greater selection of beer styles.
- More international recognition.
The future of beer in New Zealand is exciting, with more breweries opening and more styles of beer being developed every day. So, whether you’re a fan of traditional English-style ales or modern craft beers, there’s never been a better time to be a beer lover in New Zealand.