A Marlborough brew that smells like chocolate has won a trophy at the biggest annual international beer competition.
Renaissance Brewing Company, of Blenheim, won the trophy for champion stout with their Craftsman Chocolate Oatmeal Stout at the 2011 Australian International Beer Awards in Melbourne on Friday.
Renaissance head brewer and part owner Andy Deuchars was "quite chuffed" to get the recognition.
The stout was to have been a seasonal release, but depending on its popularity on the back of the win they may make it available year round, he said.
It is set for release on June 1.
Renaissance director Brian Thiel said they added cocoa nibs (the 100 per cent chocolate centre of a cocoa bean) to the brew, with a touch of vanilla to round out the natural bitterness of the chocolate.
The oatmeal did two things for the winning beer, it helped retain the creamy head, and added a creaminess to the brew.
The company had enjoyed an oatmeal stout the Emerson's Brewery of Dunedin used to produce. When that brewery discontinued the line they decided to make their version of it, adding chocolate to the mix, he said.
Renaissance was the only New Zealand brewery to win a trophy in the competition which attracted entries from 241 breweries in 34 different countries.
The company also won a gold medal and three silver medals, and fellow Marlborough brewery Moa Beer won gold for its Moa 5 Hop Ale, along with two silvers and four bronze medals.
Moa Beer marketing manager Sunil Unka said the awards were an acknowledgment of a fantastic range of beers as well as the work of the brewers.
Marlborough was a good place to produce beer because the brewing community shared information and knowledge, but also provided a competitive environment, he said.
Marlborough beer writer Geoff Griggs said the award was the world's largest annual international beer competition and the medal haul reinforced Marlborough's position as one of the top craft beer producing areas of the country.
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
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