Kiwi SpecTAPular update: NZ Govt come aboard as sponsor... plus beer news

We're thrilled to announce that New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the New Zealand Government's economic development agency, has come aboard the Kiwi SpecTAPular as the main sponsor, joining other sponsors NZ Hops, Beer NZ and the NZ Brewers Guild. Like the Canadian Government body which sponsored the Moose & Mountie SpecTAPular, NZTE assists businesses to make the most of trade and investment opportunities and it's brilliant having them aboard this event.

For the beer update, the Emersons Brewer's Reserve is "Bird Dog" Single Hopped Pale Ale which uses only one hop variety, NZ Cascade, from the boil right through to its massive dry hopping. A copper coloured pale ale with huge amounts of NZ Cascade that has created a floral, spicy aromatic pale ale this Pale Ale smells as delicious as it tastes. The hop flavour is high with a firm bitterness that leaves a crisp finish.

Epic has kegs of its new One Trick Pony IIPA which will replace the Mayhem (which will be tapped sometime after the SpecTAPular). According to brewer Luke, it's meant to make Armageddon taste like water!

So the list is now:

• Stonecutter Wee Heavy (Renaissance)
• Hop Wired 2IPA (8 Wired)
• APA (Tuatara)
• Hop Zombie 2IPA(Epic)
• Bird Dog Single Hopped Pale Ale (Emersons)
• Saison (Invercargill)
• Rex Attitude single malt peat-smoked Golden Ale (Yeastie Boys)
• Patriot Black IPA (Croucher)
• Oyster Stout (Three Boys)
• Whit Pig (Mussel Inn)
• 5 Hops ESB (Moa Beer)
• Hop Head IPA (Brew Moon)
• Sauvin Pilsner (Twisted Hop)
• Fair Maiden American Pale Ale (Founders)
• Rogue Hop German Pilsner (Harringtons)
• Patriot's Pale Ale (Golden Bear)
• JC IPA (Townshend)
• Imperial Porter (Mike's)
• Monk's Habit Double/Imperial Red Ale (Cock & Bull/Steam Brewing)
• Harvest Pils (Sprig & Fern)
• Apache Amber Ale (Golden Eagle) - back up beer if needed