Long Story Short …
all the goss…
Where?
The Turner Centre in Kerikeri.
We are running 3 x 4hr sessions.
Tickets are a bargain at $40 or $35 for a group of 6 or more!
Friday
6pm -10pm
Saturday
12noon – 4pm & 6pm – 10pm
You can come along to any or all of these sessions.
Who’s the brews?
We have invited 9 of Aotearoa’s finest Craft Brewers to join us this year. You can expect to experience around 50 different beers… you may need to come both days!
How do we drink the brews?
Of course, in the usual manner… but wait there’s more – when you arrive you will be given a 400ml reusable cup – grip it like your life depends on it. Each brewer will be offering 75ml tasters, 250ml mid-size options and 400ml full cups.
How do we pay for the brews?
Cash is no king here sorry – we are running a cashless event – so don’t forget that piece of plastic! Each brewer will have an eftpos machine.
What if I don’t want to drink beer?
Never fear, we will have range of 0% alc. options available including bottled water. Free tap water is also available in jugs on all bars. On top of that we are bringing in cocktail maestros, Kindred Spirits to serve up some tasty treats for those not so keen on a pint of the brown stuff.
How do we get tickets to drink & pay for the brews?
Ticket sales are live on Wednesday 24th April at midday – click here to purchase tickets
What’s the music vibe?
We’ve searched the globe and found some sweet sounds for this event. We are proud to invite some absolutely epic bands to this year’s festival – and we will tell you all about them soon!!
Is there transport running?
We are working on a transport solution that will work for all! Details on this to follow
Is there something we need to do?
Hey, yeah… we want everyone to enjoy the event so there are some things you need to know and all the usual rules for ensuring a good time for us all.
Is there a safe space?
A Safe Zone is available for you to take a break and rest. Anyone requiring assistance in the Safe Zone will not be permitted re-entry into Brew of Islands.
Rules for enjoyment, for all!
- Brew of Islands is a licensed liquor event operating under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. Safety and responsible drinking are a priority for the organisers.
- We reserve the right to refuse entry if a suitable photo ID cannot be presented on request. These are: NZ Driver’s License, 18+ Card, Kiwi Access Card or a Passport.
- Alcohol will not be served to anyone who is intoxicated. Alcohol will not be served to minors.
- You will be refused entry if you are intoxicated. You will be refused entry if you attempt to bring alcohol into the venue.
- We reserve the right to remove any individuals from Brew of Islands whose behaviour prevents other visitors from having a good time. Unacceptable behaviour includes, but isn’t limited to: intoxication, fighting and rudeness.
- No Alcohol will be permitted to leave the venue and cannot be consumed in the surrounding areas or carpark.
- Taps close 30 mins prior to the end of each session. A ‘Last Orders’ announcement will be made letting you know taps will be closing 15 minutes prior to the taps closing.
- Once you leave the venue you cannot re-enter. If you choose to leave the venue during a session, please understand that you will not be permitted re-entry unless you purchase a new ticket.
- Promotional photos and video will be taken at Brew of Islands and by purchasing a ticket and entering the venue you give permission for your likeness to be used by Brew of Islands.
- Attendees must finish their drinks by 4pm (afternoon sessions) and 10pm (evening sessions).
- Attendees must vacate the venue by 4.30 pm (afternoon sessions) and 10.30 pm (evening sessions).
- Breweries also reserve the right to only pour sample (75ml) pours (for example any special, one-off, small-batch, limited beers).
- Anyone requiring assistance in the Safe Zone will not be permitted re-entry into Brew of Islands.
- Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside the venue.
- All conditions of entry will be strictly enforced.
Meet The Brewers
Our mission for Brew of Islands was to say, “Hey! Come check out some cool stuff we do up here in Northland” Last year – we did it so well that all our awesome brewing mates wanted to come back! We are proud to welcome back local legends – Kainui and Phat House – then our mates McLeod’s from Waipu were definitely in and 8 Wired in Matakana jumped at the chance to come back too !
Then powerhouse Aotearoa brewers Parrotdog, Garage Project, Urbanaut all said yes please and then what do ya know – Panhead Custom Ales said they’d be keen to come along and so did Pacific Coast Beverages from Mangawhai.
We are excited to welcome the froth at the top of New Zealand’s craft Brewery’s and the tasty little drops of heaven they will be bringing with them – you will get the experience to sample NZ’s most exciting beers.
In the immortal words of Suzanne Paul; “But Wait! There’s More!” If you aren’t frothing over the idea of trying the next hoppy, juicy, hazy treat then don’t worry, we still got you! We have invited local cocktail maestro Ben Thrippleton from Kindred Spirits to provide a tasty lil cocktail bar to please those non-beer lovers who still love a good party, plus this year, we’ve added a dedicated gin bar for all you G&T lovin’ maniacs!
Garage Project was founded in August 2011. When they started out they were tiny. Garage Project wasn't even micro brewing, it was a truly nano brewery. After nine years of working in breweries with equipment 100 times bigger it was quite a change to downsize to a fifty litre brew kit. But what they lacked in size they more than made up for in agility and the ability to experiment. When you’re brewing on such a small scale you can afford to take risks. That suited them. They wanted to try something new. They started with 24/24. 24 different beers, 24 weeks. For 6 months they took a brand new brew down to Hashigo Zake every week and let the public try (and review!) each one. Some were instant favourites, others more challenging, but that’s the nature of pushing boundaries, and it’s an ethos that they try to carry forward into their work to this day. Flash forward 5 years and over 180 different beers, and they’ve grown substantially but whether they’re brewing 50 litres or 2000, they’re still here to take some risks, to have a bit of fun and to try something new.
Welcome to where things hit a bit different.
A place where we have a crack, have a laugh and give it heaps.
Home of hot-rods and Harleys, tattoos, music and brews.
If ya don’t know the name… Panhead’s been brewing up a ruckus in an old Upper Hutt tyre factory since 2013. We roped in rellies and mates to make it work, and got our from name an engine that looks like a pair of pints. We live and breathe kustom culture, breaking things to make them better, cooler, faster, tastier.
Our mission is to get “better beer everywhere”. Now teamed up with Lion, just about every province that has creative rascals pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, has beer in the fridge brewed with same spirit.
URBANAUT is an independent Brewery based in Auckland making amazing fresh beer experiences. The Brewery and Taproom can be found in a legendary old warehouse in the central suburb of Kingsland, where a small but dedicated team of beer enthusiasts create some of New Zealand's freshest and most innovative beers. DRINK FRESH – STAY RAD!
Originally started by three friends from Marton who spent their formative years surfing on the West Coast of NZ, Urbanaut has grown into a tight-knit team of 30 folks from various backgrounds - all with a shared passion for good beer, great times and a healthy appreciation of Old School Hip Hop.
With an eye to the future Urbanaut designs their beers to be inclusive, engaging and above all delicious - made to be enjoyed by a range of people as diverse as the beer styles themselves. Specialising in Brut beer styles which are known for their low-carb properties and dry, refreshing flavour has led to a cult following for Urbanaut's Copacabana Brut IPA and Miami Brut Lager.
Urbanaut Brewing - decidedly local beer made to be enjoyed anywhere.
Kainui Brew Co is a farmhouse brewery located in Kerikeri, in the Far North of Aotearoa. Their goal is to experiment with a wide range of recipes and processes to take you on a beer journey. From funky traditional farmhouse ales, to split batches, to the hop bombs of the current day. We aim to always provide the beer lover with something to peak their interest.
Kainui Brew Co work with, and sometimes against tradition as they combine a range of flavours from malted barley and hops to local fruits and microflora. If they think it’ll taste good, they’ll give it a crack. But rest assured, if it makes it into your glass they think it’s got something going for it.
Kainui Brew Co was named BEST MICRO BREWERY in New Zealand last year!
Surf, sand, Scottish heritage - it's all a part of the mix here!
At McLeod’s Brewery, they make award-winning beer for people who enjoy quality and craft. From trophy-winning Longboarder Lager to Best-in-Class Paradise Pale Ale, good beer starts here, taking inspiration from our land and our place in it. Whether it’s a crisp, Pilsner-style, a moreish and mighty double IPA or a well-blended, barrel-aged rarity, their beers reflect the best of Northland.
McLeod's were proudly crowned Champion Medium Brewery by the Brewers Guild of New Zealand in 2020. They also had the honour of being named Champion Small International Brewery (2019) by the prestigious Australian International Beer Awards.
Their small team works hard to represent our region well by making and delivering innovative, consistently delicious beer around New Zealand. When you pick up a pint or can of McLeod’s, you can be sure it was brewed with heart, cared for (and properly chilled) from tank to tap or fridge and tastes great from the first sip to the last.
Slainte!
At Pacific Coast our passion is to distill the spirit of Mangawhai into every sip. From our picturesque Northland brewery & distillery our experienced head brewer and distiller Sam Williamson produces full flavoured and innovative beers and spirits with the highest quality ingredients. The harbour views from our purpose build facility inspire us to craft our drinks with a focus on innovation, quality and a never ending sense of fun.
Our beers focus on easygoing drinkability with our 4% core range of Beach Break Pilsner, Heatwave Hazy and Dunes XPA showcasing incredible amounts of flavour in a super sessionable package. If you're looking for something punchier then our seasonal range is constantly evolving to bring you fresh and exciting new beers every month from IPAs to Hazies, Sours, Stouts and more...
8 Wired was born during the infancy of the NZ craft brewer revolution, when brewers sculpted a unique identity that is rich in kiwi spirit and adventure. Fired on by this brewer break-away, 8 Wired has always stood for innovation and ingenuity.
Over the years, 8 Wired has created a vast award-winning range of beers that wow taste buds the world over - often making the obscure enjoyable. 8 Wired’s brewing style is mainly focused on what they would call “new world interpretations of old world styles,” says brewer Søren Eriksen. They barrel aged their first beer in 2010. What looked like an obscure little idea to some, has exploded into one of the biggest barrel aging programmes in the Southern Hemisphere, and allows 8 Wired to invent a glorious spectrum of sour beer flavours.
Barrelworks is 8 Wired’s barrel aging facility and tap room, based in the farmers market town of Matakana, just 10 minutes drive from their production brewery in Warkworth. There, they have 21 taps pouring the latest 8 Wired creations along with rarities from their barrel aged collection.
Parrotdog was conceived in 2011 out of a love for good beer by three guys called Matt. From their brewery in Lyall Bay, Wellington, they’re continuing to do what they started back then: making approachable, award winning beer.
Quality and simplicity form the basis for their mantra in keeping things uncomplicated. Their range is a diverse cast of characters, with something to suit every one of you, and every one of us. Parrotdog’s unique point-of-difference as an independent brewery is their ability to produce everything under one roof. Their production facility in Lyall Bay provides them with the control to brew, package and distribute all of their product from one site – emphasising their mission for high quality and simplicity. Nice.
PhatHouse Brewing Co. is a hyper local craft beer brewery located in the heart of the Bay Of Islands. With a passion for music there's always beats in the beer garden and a selection of flame fired pizzas to enjoy fresh from the outdoor pizza oven.
All beers are brewed onsite and are unfiltered, unpasteurised and preservative free.
PhatHouse Brewing are not just about brewing great beer, they love to celebrate it too! Regular Dance Party events, featuring local and nationally acclaimed DJ's, are held at the PhatHouse Brewery Bar for our local loyal crew to enjoy right here in the beautiful Bay Of Islands.
Brewer
Text to go in here… approx 120 words… with para breaks etc.
Another Full Sail IPA goes to sleep, because the bud dry near a lover has a change of heart about a lager related to a beer. Some Coors falls in love with the spudgun over a Christmas Ale.
When a Hazed and Infused wakes up, the Sam Adams starts reminiscing about a lost buzz. For example, some crank case toward some Heineken indicates that a Budweiser over a razor blade beer brainwashes some polar bear beer for the Sam Adams.
Sometimes a Citra Ninja goes to sleep, but a vaporized polar bear beer always dances with a Busch living with the scooby snack! Sometimes a Wolverine Beer
Beers+Kai
We are stoked to host the froth at the top of New Zealand’s craft brewing barrel and their tasty little drops they’ll be bringing with them.
Come and check out our local and not-so-local craft brewers, all under one roof. Right at home in the Far North are Kainui and Phat House. From not so distand shores come McLeod’s from Waipu, Pacific Coast in Mangawhai and 8 Wired in Matakana.
We also are bringing powerhouse Aotearoa brewers Parrotdog, Garage Project, Urbanaut and Panhead – what a line-up for you lucky buggers!
If you aren’t frothing over the idea of trying the next hoppy, juicy, hazy treat then don’t worry, we’ve still got you! We have invited local cocktail maestro Ben Thrippleton from Kindred Spirits to provide a sweet lil cocktail bar to please those non-beer lovers who want to join this party.
WE WILL HIT YOU WITH THE FULL RANGE OF BEERS CLOSER TO THE FESTIVAL!!
Beer Name ‘Sea Spray’ Dry Hopped Pilsner
Beer style New Zealand Hopped Pilsner
ABV 5.3%
When is NZ Pilsner actually a Pilsner? When it’s Sea Spray Dry-hopped Pilsner! Brewed like a proper pilsner but macrodosed (in whirlpool and dry-hopping) with Riwaka and Nelson Sauvin. This makes for a lean, crisp, lager base with big, green, dank oily notes backed with delicate passionfruit for a clean, dry smashable beer with enough bitterness to keep you coming back for more. Food Pairing – This’ll go great with the snapper sliders!
Beer Name “Far North” Chili Pils
Beer style NZ Style Pilsner with Kaitaia Fire
ABV 5.2%
Far North Chili Pilsner is Northland in a beer. A classic New Zealand-style Pilsner with a heroic dose of our fave Kiwi hot sauce, it’s all capsicum, surf and summer out of the gate. Spicy and hoppy over a smooth cracker-like malt base, the finish is crisp and dry. This is the ultimate food pairing beer! My favourite combo in the universe is this beer & fresh Northland oysters!!! It’s also a winner with anything off the grill!
Beer Name “Fireside” Unfiltered Pale Ale
Beer style Hazy Pale Ale
ABV 5.6%
Packed with American Zythos and NZ Kohatu hops, Fireside Unfiltered is sure to warm the cockles of any beer lover’s heart. Pine and citrus-driven aromatics cosy up to a soft malty cushion with enough bitterness to keep you thirsty for more!
Beer Name “Sunset Surf” Pale Ale
Beer style Pacific Pale Ale
ABV 4.5%
Sunset Surf Pale Ale brings a wave of US Loral and NZ Nectaron hops for big flavour! This wee gem has floral pineapple and soft citrus notes over a smooth malty base with just enough bitterness to keep it refreshing and crisp.
Beer Name “The Mountains Are Calling” Unfiltered NZ IPA
Beer style Hazy NZ IPA
ABV 6.8%
Single hopped with one of our favourite NZ hops : Riwaka. Fresh grass, capsicum & dank diesel-landen aromas are underpinned with a passionfruit & citrus palette. An absolutely bangin’ NZ IPA.
Beer Name “Smugglers Bay” Cherimoya & Sage Blended Sour Ale
Beer style Blended Ale
ABV 6%
Cherimoya grown at the tip of 90 Mile Beach added to a mixed culture saison base & let age for 12 months before being blended with a barrel-aged Hefeweizen. This will be a unique and special beer. Special release? Absolutely! This will be 1st tasting of this beer & our entry into the Beer of the North.
Beer Name The Way of Tea
Beer style Green Matcha Hazy IPA
ABV 7%
Extra smooth East Coast style IPA, dry hopped with Oregon Strata, Hallertau Blanc, Idaho 7 and high grade Japanese matcha green tea powder. Pineapple, delicate gooseberry and lemongrass meld with sweet mellow green grass notes. Your own tea ceremony in a can. Special Release for the Festival!
Beer Name Boba Beer
Beer style Foudre aged sour beer with popping Boba balls
ABV 5.8%
Special Release – you’ll have to come try it and let us know! Food Pairing – Nah this is a beer to have on its own!
Beer Name Surrender to the Void Peanut Butter & Miso
Beer style Pastry Stout
ABV 11.5%
Peanut Butter & Miso Imperial Stout, an outrageously decadent pitch black stout brewed using an enormous, complex malt bill and mounds of debaucherous adjuncts. What’s The Void up to this time? Wait, where’s all the peanut butter gone? And what’s this? Miso! Oh Void, what have you done? Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream
Beer Name Immense World
Beer style West Coast Pilsner
ABV 6%
LA wunderkinds Highland Park come to the Garage to breathe new life into an old style with their hop fuelled West Coast take on the classic pilsner. Mellow, sweet malt notes balance beautifully with the bold juicy citrus stone fruit flavours of US Mosaic, Freestyle Riwaka & Motueka. It’s how they roll in the City of Angels.
Beer Name Shwartz ‘n’ Lager
Beer style Dark Lager
ABV 4.9%
A dark lager lightly hopped with some roast and chocolate notes.
Beer Name BOI Pale Ale
Beer style Pale Ale
ABV 5%
A classic refreshing well hopped kiwi pale ale packed with kiwi hops.
Beer Name BOI Hazy
Beer style Hazy IPA
ABV 5.5%
Hazy as it should be, stuffed with 7 varieties of hops.
Beer Name Kororareka Cream
Beer style Red nitro English Ale
ABV 5%
A red nitro ale with NZ hops and Gladfields malts bursting with summer flavour to quench your thirst.
Beer Name BOI Cider
Beer style Cider
ABV 4.8%
Refreshing medium finished cider made from Hawkes Bay apples.
Beer Name Toasted Marshmallow Hazy IPA
Beer style Hazy IPA
ABV 5.8%
The sacrificial campfires were lit and waves of soft, creamy marshmallows were toasted to crispy perfection to harness the rich, sticky sweetness we needed for this juicy beer! Bursting with heady aromas of citrus peel, peach, mango, lime and orange blossom with gooey, melted notes of caramel and vanilla with a dusting of biscuit crumbs to pull you ever closer towards s’mores territory…Drink at dusk! Food Pairing – Veggie Tree rich moist ginger cake with whipped coconut cream. Special Release
Beer Name Mont Blanc Cold IPA
Beer style Cold IPA
ABV 5.9%
Oh Mon Dieu! This bruted Cold IPA melts all competition, bringing huge tropical aromas of mango, passionfruit and citrus to the fore followed by juicy notes of gooseberry, grapefruit and white wine from the Riwaka, Mosaic and Nelson Sauvin hops. Clean and easy drinking with a crisp dry finish, this beer is a pale gold drop of sunlight through an Alpine vista – refreshing and invigorating! Food Pairing – Snapper Sliders. Special Release.
Beer Name Peach Bellini Hazy IPA
Beer style Hazy IPA
ABV 5.8%
Smooth, fruity and sparkling with a radiant effervescence, this beer is inspired by the luxurious Peach Bellini cocktail. Bruted for a dry, Champagne-like finish and exploding with magnificent aromas of tropical stone fruit – peach, apricot, nectarine and a dash of citrus – mingling with notes of white wine and gooseberry characteristics from the Nelson Sauvin, Wai-iti and Cashmere Cryo hops. A generous splash of peach juice completes this top shelf experience. Food Pairing – Mussel Fritters. Special Release.
Beer Name Hermosa Pineapple Hazy IPA
Beer style Hazy IPA
ABV 6.3%
Notes of fresh-cut pineapple, peach and mango with a lush, juicy mouthfeel. Food Pairing – Bratwurst. Special Release.
Beer Name Sunset West Coast Pilsner
Beer style Pilsner
ABV 6%
Happy Birthday homies! We celebrate this auspicious 6th year of Urbanaut Brewery with an utterly smashable Pilsner – crisp, clean, dry and absolutely loaded with Citra and Mosaic hops which add a cacophonous party of tropical lime, melon, grapefruit, orange and sweet berry aromatics. Cheers this beer with your best pals! Arohanui everybody – thank you for your support! XO (loveheart) Urbanaut Fresh Beer Party Gang. Food Pairing – BBQ chicken wings. Special Release.
Beer Name Tropadelic Pils
Beer style Northland Fresh Hop Pilsner
ABV 5.8%
This fresh hopped Pilsner showcases Northland grown Tropadelic handpicked hops transported from bine to kettle within hours. Sit back, relax & soak up the complex subtropical fruity notes of this delicious drop. Food Pairing – The Veggie Tree Spiced Indian Chickpea pakoras.
Beer Name Riwaka Dreaming
Beer style Hazy NEIPA
ABV 5%
Our 5% hazy is packed with Riwaka and Taiheke hops, this beer has a fruity nose and crispness that leaves you dreaming for more. Food Pairing – Soda Creek’s snapper sliders or anything on offer from BBQ BOI.
Beer Name Acid House
Beer style Haruru Falls Grapefruit Sour
ABV 5%
A super refreshing subtropical sour brewed from grapefruit grown in the brewery garden. Punchy enough to give a slight distortion of the lips and an addictive acidity. Food Pairing – Soda Creek’s snapper sliders.
Beer Name Mega Mega Lager
Beer style Lager
ABV 5.9%
A full bodied, full flavour strong refreshing golden lager perfect for those lazy summer days, a favourite with locals all year round! Food Pairing – Northland Fine Foods soft pretzel with beer and cheese dip.
Beer Name Midnight Espresso
Beer style Northland Roasted Coffee Stout
ABV 4.9%
An all season coffee, chocolate stout with a light velvety smooth mouth feel. The low bitterness allows the locally roasted organic Tohora Coffee to lift and develop with every mouthful. Food Pairing – Northland Fine Foods Bratwurst with Saurekraut.
Beer Name Cloud Dancer IPA
Beer style American IPA
ABV 6.2%
An American IPA loaded with Amarillo, Simcoe and Citra hops, complimented by a simplistic malt base to let those fruity flavours shine. Food Pairing – BBQ BOI chicken wings or Pork belly and Soda Creeks snapper sliders. Special Release for the festival!
Beer Name Honeymoon Bush Mead
Beer style Honey Mead
ABV 5%
A light golden short mead made with the Far North’s Honeymoon Valley bush honey, boasting subtle yet full honey flavours that will get you buzzing. Food Pairing – Mrs Miller’s Mussel Fritters.
Beer Name Zingy Stardust
Beer style Ginger Seltzer
ABV 5%
Maybe you need a palate cleanser? Maybe you just don’t like beer?! This ginger and mandarin seltzer is a great zingy beer alternative and also gluten free, low carb and vegan. Food Pairing – Pairs well with Kiwi oysters.
Beer Name TBC
Beer style Fruited Berliner Weisse
ABV 4%
Our modern Berliner Weisse, sour pale ale, loaded with Northland fruits to create that far north summer in a glass. Food Pairing – Perfect match for fresh oysters! Special Release – Northland inspired!
Beer Name Brave Old World
Beer style Munich Style Lager
ABV 5.6%
This amber-gold lager is brewed with all German malts, hops and yeast and has been traditionally lagered. With a soft, bready body, and a delicate lashing of hops for a crisp finish, this is one super delicious, drinkable beer. Prost! Food Pairing – What could be a better match than Bratwurst, sauerkraut and a pretzel!
Beer Name Hop Salad
Beer style Hazy IPA
ABV 6%
Imagine a big juicy bowl of Kiwi Fruit, strawberry, blueberry, peach, orange and pear, jam it all in a blender and call it an IPA – it’s our hazy hop salad. Food Pairing – I’d match it with a fresh snapper slider or some loaded tater tots.
Beer Name Brave Old World Scotch Ale
Beer style Scotch Ale
ABV 6.5%
This is a very malt-forward beer, with plenty of caramel sweetness, toffee and raisin. Food Pairing – In true Scottish fashion, it would have to be matched with something battered and fried. I hope you’ve got a lot of mussel fritters ready Mrs Miller!
Beer Name Summer Love
Beer style Saison
ABV 6%
“Summer in a glass” Notes of back pepper and ripe pineapple balanced with a super dry, refreshing finish. Food Pairing – Oysters.
Beer Name Farmhouse Saison
Beer style Brett Saison
ABV 6.5%
This beer is a salute to the wilder Saisons. A triple fermentation results in a complex beer with hints of funk and tartness. Orange zest, spices, funk and herbal notes on the palate, make this beer a flavour bomb, suitable for any occasion. Food Pairing – Indian Pakora’s.
Beer Name Rosè Saison
Beer style Saison
ABV 8%
A French saison, barrel aged in wine barrels with the addition of Kainui Syrah grapes. This trophy winning beer perfectly balances the line between grain and grape. Light, bubbly & fruity with a hint of oak.
Beer Name Churman Pilsner
Beer style Pilsner
ABV 5.5%
A classic pilsner made with the finest grain & hops results in a clean beer with a floral & fruity hop presence & a crisp, bitter finish. Food Pairing – Snapper Sliders.
Beer Name Imperial Stout
Beer style Stout
ABV 9%
A big bold, viscous beer loaded with dark malt & hops and aged in whiskey barrels. The perfect winter warmer!
Beer Name Blueberry Sour
Beer style Sour
ABV 3.8%
Light, tart, refreshing and complex. A perfect beer for the discerning drinker.
Beer Name Emery’s Irish Stout
Beer style Irish Stout
ABV 4%
Served on nitro. This beer is dry and bitter upfront balanced by a creamy rounded mouthfeel. Try your luck with this perfect session beer. Food Pairing – Bratwurst.
Beer Name Hell Hole of the Pacific
Beer style Smoked Amber Ale
ABV 6.66%
A blood red malt background is met with hints of manuka, American oak, sea salt and a heavy hand of herbal hops. These components culminate in a rampant frenzy of debauchery lust. This one is not for the faint-hearted. Food Pairing – BBQ.
Beer Name Wiremu Wallace
Beer style Scottish Ale – 70 Shillin
ABV 6.6%
A nod to NZ brewers of the past. ‘A celebration of malt. Toasted caramel and toffee characters sit on top of a smooth clean finish, making this the perfect session beer. Big flavour for such a wee drop.
Beer Name Milk Stout
Beer style Milk Stout
ABV 5.2%
Obsidian-black with a velvety, tan head, our Milk Stout is traditionally brewed with non-fermentable lactose sugar for a luscious, full-bodied mouthfeel. Aromas of bittersweet chocolate, dried fruits, and bold coffee-and-cream flavours all descend on the senses, while soft roasted-malt bitterness keeps the sweetness in check. Awarded World’s Best Milk Stout in the 2020 World Beer Awards and World’s Best Stout & Porter at the 2019 World Beer Awards.
Beer Name Nectaron®
Beer style IPA
ABV 6.1%
Introducing the Nectaron® hop from NZ Hops, bringing intense tropical fruit aromas to the party. This NZ IPA has been hopped at multiple stages through its brewing journey, mellow out all that hoppy goodness with the toastiness of NZ Ale Malt and Cassels’ House Ale Strain and the result is the almighty brew you could soon have in your hand.
Beer Name Fogged Up
Beer style Hazy Pale Ale
ABV 4.7%
Our Fogged Up Hazy Pale Ale has been created by our award-winning brewers to deliver a full flavoured yet elegant beer. Juicy tropical fruit notes combine with punchy hop characteristics to bring you a balanced and refreshing brew that will have you coming back for more!
Beer Name Birdseye Hazy IPA
Beer style Hazy IPA
ABV 5.8%
Our feathered friends see the world differently. Through birds’ eyes, things might look almost psychedelic to us, with heightened colours and fresh hues forming a surprising new spectrum. This hazy, citrus and stone fruit accented IPA with a mellow, soft and silky texture gives a similarly refreshing change of perspective. Food Pairing – Mussel Fritters.
Beer Name Bitterbitch IPA
Beer style IPA
ABV 5.8%
Our troublesome original re- lease, named for the problem- atic first brew day which hugely emphasised its hop bitterness. It’s matured and evolved nicely over the years, with us. Big tropical hop flavour from local varieties with strong bitterness from an English hop to honour its origins, all balanced by plenty of malt. Food Pairing – Veggie Tree India Pakora’s
Beer Name Greyhound Low Carb Hazy
Beer style Low-carb Hazy
ABV 4.3%
When the cliché was coined that dogs are humanity’s best friends, it was a Greyhound they had in mind. Whether your plans involve a run or a rest, a greyhound is up for joining in. We’ve dedicated our low carb hazy pale ale to them, and kept it fittingly lean and easy-going, with sparkling citrus hop characters, good balance, and a crisp finish. Food Pairing – Snapper Sliders
Beer Name Helles Rauchbier
Beer style Bamberg-style Rauchbier
ABV 5.2%
Pale Bamberg-style rauchbier with a subtle, sweet, Beechwood smoke character and a clean lager finish. Image to follow. Food Pairing – BBQ & Bratwurst. Special Release for the festival.
Beer Name Classic Lager
Beer style Lager
ABV 4.5%
Refreshingly uncomplicated. A Classic lager brewed with New Zealand’s distinctive and underappreciated Green Bullet hop. Food Pairing – Oysters
… Our epic
kickin’ Kai will be coming soon!
Snapper sliders
A Northland festival isn’t complete without kaimoana. We got fresh line caught snapper sliders from award winning chef Colin Ashton and his epic Soda Creek Catering team. Beer and fish go together like, well, fish and chips. Try that with one of Kainui Brew’s award winning Saisons.
BBQ
We got the local Northland Grand Daddy Champion of NZ’s low ‘n slow BBQ scene, Ken Van Mackelbergh of Barbecue B.O.I. bringing the fire to Brew of Islands! Teaming up with his “Coal Mates” Fat Boy BBQ and current NZBA Chicken Champions The Coal Kids, to ply us with succulent, smoky, beer-inspired BBQ hot off the coals – the perfect match for the bold flavours of a hoppy pale ale!
CRISPY PAKORAS
For the veggie lovers we got Northland’s own plant based Queen, chef and author, Anna Valentine from the Veggie Tree in Kaeo serving up crispy spiced Indian chickpea pakoras, made with locally grown seasonal veggies, edible weeds from her wild garden, served with homegrown, homemade lime pickle and mint and kawakawa raita. Pair that with a crisp cold pilsner and you’ll be smiling all day long!
Mussel Fritters
Local legends Mrs Millers Mussel Fritters are serving up their infamously tasty fritters; an alchemy of herbed and spiced kutai wrapped in batter, flash fried and served hot and crispy. Imagine that with an epic Hazy!
BRATWURST & PRETZELS
Did someone say Beer Festival? We might not be sitting in a tent in Germany, but Brew of Islands is the real deal complete with locally made fresh bratwurst with sauerkraut and pretzels with beer cheese dip from our mates at Northland Fine Food. That’ll go nicely with a crisp German style lager made with Kiwi hops.
COCKTAILS & MOCKTAILS
The Cardona Cocktail bar features spirits from one of the country’s favourite boutique distilleries and hand-crafted cocktails and mocktails from local cocktail maestro Ben Thrippleton of Kindred Spirits for festival goers that don’t love beer or booze. Oh and three of Northland’s most loved DJ’s; VanDeBelle, JXO and Meg complete with cranking dance floor!
Make Your Weekend Plans
Far from a festival where you pick up a pot of chips and a hotdog from a caravan, splash some sauce on them both and call it a day. We’ve created an event that matches our love of the Far North, with our love of Craft Beer and know you’ll enjoy a great weekend!
Grab your crew and make the most of your weekend. Sweep up your first-mate and enjoy a romantic getaway. Ride the waves, wander the countless white sand beaches. Dive in to the crystal clear sparkling blue green waves. Venture off the beaten track to some secret spots or simply enjoy a vibrant weekend of action. It’s like a tropical holiday up here!
Cruising Crews
Wanting a weekend away with your mates? Get some local knowledge on some favourite spots, dive into the big blue and catch your own kai, jump on bikes and ride from the forest to the ocean edge or just wander a golf course – telling tall tales along the way.
Lovers+Dreamers
Grab your first-mate or woo someone on the line. Wander deserted beaches, stroll or cycle through our magic forests and river trails. Fill your cup and your sails cruising the beautiful Bay of Islands. Finish the day with fine fare on the edge of the sparkling sea. Sounds dreamy eh!
Culture Feast
Kai and culture go hand in hand here. Come and experience something new. Forage, feast, collect historic stories and make your own memories. This place is full of enough history and contemporary culture to satiate your appetite for both.
Groovy Tunes
LOST TRIBE AOTEAROA
This year, on the entertainment side, Brew of Islands is proudly featuring live performances by the dynamic 8-piece family-based ensemble, Lost Tribe Aotearoa.
LTA weaves a tapestry of conscious lyrics through their eclectic soundscapes. Known for their vibrant blend of roots, dub, rock, ska, and blues, LTA captures audiences time and again, with their high-energy live performances. Their music is not just heard; it’s felt, offering an uplifting experience that resonates deeply with listeners. Join us in celebrating the unique sound of Lost Tribe Aotearoa, where you will feel an unforgettable fusion of rhythm and message.
Mermaid Bait
Whangarei’s trailblazing band, proudly carrying the title of the city’s original originals band! Heralded as the quintessential sound of Northland, this group of renegades captures the essence of coastal life through their distinctive northern nautical melodies.
With a lineup that embodies the rebellious spirit of the devils, the black sheep, and the truly unruly, Mermaid Bait promises an unforgettable musical voyage.
DOGFATHER
Dogfather are a semi-acoustic four-piece unit, kicking out classic tunes, born from the depths of lockdown. Just 3 local lads living a stone’s throw from each other, with their favourite lovely lass on the drumkit… bringing their jams from their neighbourhood to the masses. Sure to get you up and dancing!
*Saturday Sessions only
DJ MEG
Meg has been rocking funky house bass lines around the world for over 25 years! From Northern England via Manchester, London, & Wellington to finally arrive in the Bay of Islands where he loves getting the dance floor pumping with groovers busting moves, flinging limbs and throwing shapes!
DJ VANDEBELLE
Hailing from France and the early days of Euro House, DJ VanDeBelle has been an active purveyor of fine tunes since 1985. The early 90’s saw residencies and massive outdoor raves in Tucsun, Arizona. In 2004, he relocated to become part of the NZ house scene and began working for “UPFM” radio in Auckland where he hosted his weekly show “Euro-Groove”. Residencies, gigs, beach parties & dance festivals followed. No stranger to the NZ club scene.
DJ JXO
JXO (aka Jay Palmer) knows how to rough up the love on a dancefloor. Her epic F*ckYes:TechNo show on Beagle FM, and her regular appearances at Phat House and LoveBug make her a true Northland favourite! Whether its lust-fuelled techno beats in the wee small hours, or heart-grinning downtempo on a summery afternoon, JXO is not afraid to dive head first into the complexities of sound and emotions. So pucker up your bass lips baby, and prepare to get lost in the loved-up ruff n tumble!
Home Brew
Competition
We are keeping things nice and simple for our first year. To enter – purchase a ticket via our ticketing page here.
Craft beer was born out of experimentation and home brewers pushing the boundaries. We want to continue to foster that relationship between craft beer and home brewing. Our competition will have 4 categories;
- Something Crisp (Pilsner/Lager)
- Something Pale (IPA/APA)
- Something Dark (Stout/Porter/Dark)
- Something Special (Sour/Fruity/Unusual Ingredients)
From the ticketing site, you will be sent a ticket number which you will need to put on your Brewer’s tag, along-side your name, style of beer and name of beer.
Your brewers tag will need to be rubber banded to your entry.
All entries must be dropped off at the Turner Centre with attached brewer’s tag’s no later than Friday 19th July 2024 3pm.
Rules for your brews!
All entries must be brewed by the person entering the beer.
If there are multiple entries please submit a separate entry for each beer.
Commercially brewed beer is not eligible for this competition.
The entry fee is $20 per entry.
The entry fee is not refundable for disqualified entries.
Entries are to be made via the ticketing service at www.brewofislands.co.nz
Entrants may enter multiple beers.
The same beer may not be entered into multiple categories, so choose carefully as the judging party, or organisers,
will not reclassify it for you.
Two bottles of each entry are required for judging. Each bottle must be at least 500ml and none will be returned.
Whist we will take care with all entries, any loss, or damage, is the sole responsibility of the entrant
Each bottle entered must have an attached label that has its ticket number on it.
a. The bottle must only have the ID label
b. Bottles received without proper labels may be disqualified
c. Labels must be suitably fixed to the bottles. It is down to the entrant to make sure they won’t fall off when unpacked.
By entering the Brew of Islands Homebrew Competition you agree to abide by these rules and allow them, and the
organisers, to use the entry, results and any images for marketing and promotional material for Brew of Islands
Wear it in…
Merch
Pre-Order!
Limited Edition
Just like all great gigs, we’ve created a few items you can wear home and thrash for years to come.
We have a tidy range of different coloured tees & hoodies on offer for you to purchase soon via pre-order to pick up on the day!
Talk To Us
If you or your business are interested in supporting this event, definitely get in touch.
The Brewers
Supporters
