Wellington brewers take away top prizes

6:28 am on 14 January 2015

Wellington region brewers have taken out the top prizes in this year's Beer Society awards.

The best breweries, bars, and bottle stores were recognised in the 2014 Society of Beer Advocates (SOBA) Awards.

Wellington brewery Garage Project was named best brewery, while Upper Hutt's Panhead Brewery won the coveted best beer award for their IPA (Indian Pale Ale) The Vandal.

Photo: AFP

The awards were designed to recognise, reward and encourage those who were providing excellent products and services to the beer community.

They were voted on by members of SOBA.

"Our members are passionate about beer, and they tend to know what they're talking about. So to be voted by them to receive any award is a great honour," SOBA President David Wood said.

Other winners included bars from across the country such as Brothers Beer, Good George, Hashigo Zake, and The Freehouse.

Several restaurants with exceptional beer lists were also handed regional awards.

Mr Wood said it was important to recognise the people and places that were advancing New Zealand's beer culture on a regional scale.

"Every city and town develops at a different rate and regional voting means the larger centres don't eclipse the beer heroes elsewhere".

The full list of awards given: