2016 Regional Competition – Auckland Guild Of Winemakers & Brewers

At the request of the River Valley Amateur Winemakers & Brewers Guild, 2016 Regional Competition host, please find this year’s classes.

As is customary, the host club may add to the core classes with some of their own. The River Valley club have chosen to split the citrus classes, include five different cider classes and include three different spirit classes. There are possibly a couple other additional I have not noted. Most of these are very straight forward but I encourage you to read the specifications.

The one addition that has no specification included on the class sheets is B13.1. This was promoted by River Valley at the recent Regional AGM. Through sponsorship to the regional competition from Hauraki Brewing Company, this class is anything with the inclusion of their Morgans Golden Saaz Pilsner kit. I have included the letter from Hauraki Brewing Company to tentatively serve as this class description.

The Regional Competition is slated for the weekend of November 11^th with the social evening on the 12^th, at Helensville Showgrounds. The Grand Hotel is approximately 200 metres down the road or you can camp at the grounds. There will be more details coming soon from the River Valley Club. I expect judging will take place on the 11^th.

Please circulate this information amongst your clubs. I have blind copied in the Manukau members – We’ll be in to win!!

Feel free to contact me or the River Valley club directly if you need any information.

Cheers,
Al Christ

Regional Secretary

Beer Entries for Regionals have traditionally been required in swappa crate bottles, uniformly capped with appropriate fill levels as per the drawing to the right. With the 2015 passing change to acceptance of “500ml and 750 ml brown glass bottles, crown or swing cap for entries,” entry requirements for the regional competition has been loosened up. It’s all about the beer but… My recommendation for presentation is to be tidy and presentable. It’s good that the region is taking an adjusted perspective that it truly is about the beer. With the wines, there is a lot to be said for holding onto tradition. Competition is tight, so you will need every point you can get. Use a clean clear 750mm bottle, round, sloping shoulder and concave bottom.. There should be no residual glue on the bottle. The cork, tight but removable by hand, should be tidy with no mold or discolouration. For

For those interesting in attending the functions:

Registration is $55.00 per person to be received by 1st November 2016 Early Bird Registration discounted to just $45.00 per person if paid by 22

Friday 11 November 2016 Judging from 9 a.m. Lunch at Noon.

Friday evening from 6 p.m. Finger Food, Club Beer and Wine.

Saturday 12 November 2016 11.30 a.m. Brewery Tour followed by BBQ Lunch.

Saturday evening from 5 p.m. Happy Hour followed by Dinner, Raffles and prizegiving.

Sunday 13 November 2016 BBQ Lunch.