The 2015 Society of Beer Advocates (SOBA) Awards have declared Upper Hutt’s brewery Panhead Custom Ales’ Supercharger APA as the country’s best beer, and Garage Project as the nation’s best brewery, confirming Wellington’s status as the beer capital of New Zealand.
Garage Project, based in Aro Valley, is known for its wide range of small batch experimental beers (pictured). It was recognised in 2015 as one of the fastest growing New Zealand companies, growing more than 600% in one year.
The SOBA awards are given based on votes from SOBA members around the country and the winners are:
National Awards
Beer of the year
Panhead, Super Charger
Runner Up Garage Project, Death From Above
Brewery of the year
Garage Project
Runner Up Panhead
Best Home Brew Shop
Finney’s Home Brew Emporium
Runner Up BrewShop.co.nz
Regional Awards
Auckland
Brothers Beer – Best Auckland Bar
Runner Up Vulture’s Lane
Hallertau – Best Auckland Restaurant
Joint Runners Up Galbraith’s Alehouse & Brothers Juke Joint BBQ
Hopscotch Beer Company – Best Auckland Off License
Runner Up Liquorland Newmarket
City of Ales – Best Auckland Beer Event
Waikato
Good George Dining Hall – Best Waikato Bar
Runner Up Craft
Gothenburg restaurant – Best Waikato Restaurant
The Hamilton Beer & Wine Co – Best Waikato Off License
Taranaki
The Hour Glass – Best Taranaki Bar
Runner Up Mike’s Brewery
Liquorland Fitzroy – Best Taranaki Off License
SOBA Mountain Ales Festival – Best Taranaki Beer Event
Wanganui
The Rutland Arms Best Wanganui Bar
Manawatu
Liquorland, Albert Street – Best Manawatu Off License
Wellington
Hashigo Zake – Best Wellington Bar
Runner Up Golding’s Free Dive
Ortega Fish Shack – Best Wellington Restaurant
Runner Up Grill Meats Beer
Regional Wines and Spirits – Best Wellington Off License
Runner Up Thorndon New World
Pacific Beer Expo – Best Wellington Beer Event
Runner Up Beervana
Nelson/Golden Bay
The Free House – Best Nelson-Golden Bay Bar
Runner Up The Mussel Inn
Fresh Choice, Richmond Best – Nelson-Golden Bay Off License
Runner Up Fresh Choice, Nelson
Marchfest Best – Nelson-Golden Bay Beer Event
Marlborough
Dodson Street – Best Marlborough Bar
Joint Runners Up Grovetown Hotel & The Old Bank Tavern
Canterbury
Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn – Best Canterbury Bar
Runner Up Volstead Trading Company
Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn – Best Canterbury Restaurant
The Beer Library – Best Canterbury Off License
Runner Up Punky Brewster
South Island Beer Festival – Best Canterbury Beer Event
Runner Up Great Kiwi Beer Festival
Otago/Southland
Albar – Best Otago-Southland Bar
Joint Runners Up Ombrellos Kitchen and Bar & The Portsider
Ombrellos Kitchen and Bar – Best Otago-Southland Restaurant
Meenan Wines & Spirits Ltd – Best Otago-Southland Off License
Dunedin Craft Beer & Food Festival – Best Otago-Southland Beer Event
2015 Honoured Members
Ted and Frances Verrity for service to the beer industry and community
Paul Wicksteed for service to home brewing
Martin Bridges for service to SOBA
