BREWS
A taste of Kaikoura brewing Plenty of options exist for summer festivals in the Top of the South. This month, beer writer Mark Preece talks with Laura Finney about Emporium Brewing’s Kegkoura – the Kaikoura beer festival. PHOTOS DAN KERINS
“T
his is something we’ve always wanted to do,” says Emporium Brewing’s owner Laura. “Especially after the 2016 earthquake, when town was pretty quiet, we thought it would be a great way to attract people to the town.” Unfortunately, the weather didn’t play ball for the debut, with the main state highway to Christchurch shut due to slips, while the alternative central road later closed because of a crash. “People still had lots of fun,” says Laura, “but we were a bit down in numbers, with only 150 to 200 people compared to our current 300 capacity.” While the first beer fest was held at the Old Kaikoura Winery, it’s now located at the Emporium Brewery, “near Kaikoura’s Top 10 Holiday Park and only a short walk into town afterwards,” says Laura. There’s plenty of entertainment, kicked off by local guitarist Marc Parkinson, followed by Christchurch’s Alaana Eileen, and Dusty Hustle, a sixpiece roots and dub rock band.
Upcoming beer fests This year Kegkoura has four guest breweries plus Emporium Brewing, says Laura. “We’ve got Derelict, Wilderness and Concept Brewing and, for the first time, Two Thumb Brewing Company.” Each brewery is requested to turn up with special brews, “not just their general IPAs, so you’re guaranteed something unique,” says Laura, “especially Derelict and Wilderness, who have some really interesting beers.” With each brewery having four to five different styles, there’s plenty to choose from. This year there’s a new 311ml teardrop glass with a 150ml Above: Clockwise - Fun and games; Sam Cottier from Derelict Brewing serves a customer
Each brewery is requested to turn up with special brews, “not just their general IPAs, so you’re guaranteed something unique ... ” L AU R A F I N N EY
tasting line, so you can sample the beers without committing to a full glass. Beer fest guests won’t go hungry, with food being served by SlamClub café, as well as by Kaikoura Cheese, “who do amazing platters”, says Laura. “And there’ll be the usual BBQ and burgers being served too.” While Kegkoura signals the start of some great beer festivals for March, here’s some more for the month: Marchfest, 14th March, Founders Park, Nelson. Nelson’s premier beer festival will boast beer from 15 different
breweries, a brew zone where you’ll learn about beer and brewing, as well as live music, a food and beer matching lunch, a tasting bar, children’s entertainment, delicious foods, local ciders and wine. Go to Marchfest.com for more information. BBQ and beer fest – Brewtown, 14th March, Upper Hutt. BBQs are back to Wellington in March – watch 17 teams battle it out. A great day out with live music, hot rods, demos, craft beer tours and locally brewed beer on tap – check out Brewtown.co.nz for more details. 61
