The power of (beer) media

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The power of (beer) media

This year the New Zealand Brewers’ Guild changed its “Beer Writer of the Year” award to a “Beer Media” award. It was good move, as it opens the award up to a wider range of discourse on beer. This year’s winner – Denise Garland – is an example of that. While she’s a semi-regular writer for The Pursuit of Hoppiness (as well as being deputy editor) and The Spinoff, it was a single powerful and motivating article on Māori cultural appropriation in the brewing industry that led to her deserving recognition.

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These Boots Are Made For Working

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These Boots Are Made For Working

Lucie Campbell starts work at 7:00am most days. As the Operations Manager for The Lumsden Freehouse and its four companion venues – she finds the time alone in the office useful to getting work done uninterrupted. Starting work early also gives her time to work in her other roles – the most important is being a solo parent to a three-year-old toddler. Her second “baby” is the Auckland Fresh Hop Festival. And, in-between all that, she’s president of the New Zealand Pink Boots Society. Lucie’s not really sure how she’s balancing it all but she’s having fun doing it.

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New Zealand's own Beer Baroness

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New Zealand's own Beer Baroness

Ava Nakagawa is a familiar face in the New Zealand beer scene, and the hospitality scene in Christchurch. She owns a brewery that produces her Beer Baroness beers. She also manages Pomeroy’s freehouse and its delightful Bed and Breakfast, along with Little Poms Café.

We took some time to talk with Ava about how she manages so many successful businesses and a busy family life. And, we asked her about things beer and brewing.

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