Introducing the New Kids, and celebrating the Old Guard

Here at Beervana we’re proud to be able to support the New Zealand beer scene by showcasing the mahi of the incredible people that make up the industry.

One of the ways we’ve been doing this for the last six years is through the New Kids On The Block stand. which gives an opportunity to breweries that have opened in the last year to exhibit at Beervana.

Just like knowing the next big band before they get famous, the “New Kids” stand lets you try beers from some up-and-comers with a chance to become the “next big thing” in New Zealand brewing. 

Many New Kids from previous years return to Beervana again and again on their own stands, with (recently crowned Champion Small NZ Brewery) Shining Peak, Beers By Bacon Bros, and Pacific Coast among this year’s alumni.

So without further ado, here are 2024’s  New Kids On The Block:

Batsmen Brewing

This new Auckland brewery operates in the new beer Mecca of Morningside and brings their Samoan heritage into everything they do. They’re named for the traditional Samoan bat tatau (tattoo), with their signature Hazy IPA called “Flying Bat”.  

Rudd House Brewing

Dunedin-based home brewer Olly Rudd launched Rudd House last year after winning a homebrew competition for his wheat beer “Jenny’s Wit”.  We’re excited for them to make their North Island festival debut at Beervana.

In With The Old AND the New

While it’s cool to find a great new band, you’ve still got to make time for the classics, those records that still sound as good today as when they were released. 

That’s why, in a first for 2024, we’ve introduced the Old Guard - a stand to celebrate some of the pioneers of the Aotearoa beer scene. 

On the stand this year are three breweries who have been through all the ups and downs over the years and are still here to tell the tale, over a couple of delicious beers of course!

Croucher Brewing

Launched in Rotorua in 2004, Croucher Brewing is the brain-child of ex-pharmaceutics lecturer Paul Croucher and his mate Nigel Gregory.  Since then they’ve gone onto win countless awards, including the trophy for Champion Pilsner at the 2012 Australian International Beer Awards.

Hallertau Brewery

Opened in 2005 by Steve Plowman, and named for an area of Germany famous for hop growing, Hallertau has become an institution in West Auckland and throughout New Zealand. 

Three Boys Brewery

Christchurch’s Three Boys was started by Ralph Bungard in 2004. Their strategy seems pretty simple “look after people, look after the environment, and look after our customers who look out for Three Boys”. It’s fair to say it’s been working pretty well - they’ve just been named the the Champion New Zealand Brewery at the New Zealand Beer Awards for the second time in three years.  

Check out the full list of breweries confirmed for Beervana here.

The New Kids On The Block stand is supported by Mascot Liquor.