Brew Hui Podcast

The birth of Episode 8 actually began with a rumour: since moving to Warkworth two years ago, I had heard from several sources about a place where a bunch of über-creative folk from across the brewing, winemaking and wider gastro scene had all congregated together under one roof to share the space as flatmates.  The dinner parties and get-togethers slowly became the stuff of legend: tales from friends about rolling out the front door completely gullet-full (but with a beaming smile on their face) piqued my curiosity in a big way.  But once I found out that the brewers from a few of our country's best breweries – 8 Wired, Deep Creek and Sawmill – were among the occupants of the flat, I knew that I had to tell this particular story to anyone who would listen. So bung this episode in your ears, and hear Russell Erskine (8 Wired), Justin Oliver (Bohemian Cider/Te Rata Wines), Johan Lagercrantz (Deep Creek) and Scott Sharp-Heward (Sawmill) tell their improbable story...

Episode 7 represents a change in tack for the Brew Hui Podcast. Once a week, I pop-down to my local - Warkworth's craft beer institution Tahi Bar - for a half-pint and a chat with my favourite barkeep, owner/operator Ian Marriott.  Ian (and his wife Silke) are doing the right thing for the right reasons: they took a punt way-back in 2008, opening a craft beer bar in a Lion Red town. They've worked bloody hard to make a fist of it, but have an unwavering commitment to serve good beer from good places to good people. My half-pint-a-week hardly helps Ian's and Silke's bottom-line - so I try to do my bit to support them by flying their flag whenever possible.  To that end, I'm pleased to announce that Tahi Bar will be the home of the Brew Hui Podcast for 2017 (if not indefinitely; the ease with which this episode came together makes me reticent to return to the previous format!).  In this episode, I'm joined by local brewing legends Sam Williamson (Sawmill Brewing), Jason Bathgate (McLeod's Brewing) and Søren Eri

Episode 6 of the Brew Hui Podcast perfectly closes a circle that I've been drawing all year. Since moving to Warkworth in March, I've made a point of shining a light - however dim it may be - on the blossoming brewing scene north of Auckland's Harbour Bridge.  While Episode 4 starred 8 Wired kingpin Søren Eriksen, Episode 6 stars his exceptional protégé: McLeod's head brewer, Jason Bathgate. It's no secret that Jason has had to overcome more adversity in the past 15 months than most of us face in a lifetime - but that's really a story for a different podcast.  This one's all about the subsequent comeback - and anyone who has tasted any of the McLeod's beers in the past few months will agree that *this* particular comeback is a doozy... 

Episode 5 of the Brew Hui podcast is all about new beginnings: a brand new brewery, nestled on the Northern outskirts of Auckland – led by none-other than Sam Williamson, star of the original Brew Hui blog project (an honour that I'm sure he revels in daily...).  Joining Sam on the podcast is his brewer Scott  – whose last name I didn't catch, because a) I'm not a journalist and b) I am a moron.  Both Sam and Scott were a joy to hang out with – and their gorgeous new brewing playground is truly a sight to see... See you soon for Episode 6! www.brewhui.com  facebook.com/brewhui  Twitter: @jasegurney

The stars of Episode 4 of the Brew Hui podcast – Søren Eriksen and the 8 Wired team – really need bugger-all in the way of introduction: formerly Supreme Champion Brewery of New Zealand, now operating from their own brewery in sunny Warkworth, north of Auckland.  (Conveniently placed, as it is, 4 minutes from my own new house.)  I had the immense pleasure of spending two days with Søren and his team last week – recording some 10 hours of delicious audio (which, you’ll be pleased to learn, I’ve edited down to the usual ~90 minutes!).e! 

The star of this episode – Captain Pale Ale himself, Epic’s Luke Nicholas – trained for a spell under the wings of Episode 2’s Ben Middlemiss; while Episode 1’s Kelly Ryan was, at one point, Luke’s right-hand-man (and, in Luke’s words, will always be part of the Epic family). So entirely by chance – as well as entirely out of chronological order – it’s with supreme pleasure that I close this particular circle! Episode 3 requires little in the way of introduction – in short, I had the enviable opportunity to brew an IPA with an undisputed champion of the style.  

My ‘guest’ for Episode 2 is a living, breathing part of New Zealand’s brewing heritage – none other than Stephen ‘Ben’ Middlemiss.  Brewing with Ben and his prodigal son Tim – at Ben’s East Auckland home, no less – was truly a Bucket List-level event; I only hope that my borderline-crap editing skills have done the event justice…

Welcome to the first episode of the Brew Hui Podcast! My ‘guest’ for Episode 1 is outstanding brewer (and all-round legend) Kelly Ryan,head brewer at the Fork and Brewer brew pub in Wellington.