This was our first year entering the New Zealand Beer Awards — a big step for a small microbrewery working with not much more than grit and good ingredients. Brewers from all over Aotearoa send their beer to be judged by some of the best palates in the industry.

We picked up 9 medals, including Gold and the Specialty & Experimental Trophy for Hot Box. Not bad for a two-person operation — we’re pretty chuffed our beer stacked up against the best in the country.

Here’s what took home the hardware this year.