Homebrewing in NZ

[nifta]

Terribly important subject

Any homebrewers in NZ? I'm sure there are - I know I've seen the subject mentioned on here before... How easy is it to get ingredients/equipment?

I'll be bringing my boiler, fermenter, and kegs. I'm unsure about my coil immersion chiller - I have no idea how to get all the water out before shipping?!

Anything else that I'd be better off getting here in the UK and shipping over rather than trying to find there?

[sophiedb]

Watching this thread Hubby's bringing most of his gear to NZ too, sounds like you've got more techy stuff though!

[dilanium]

I have a friend who home brews here, and there's a store around the corner that is specifically for people who homebrew, so I know people are out there doing it, and you must be able to get what you need for it.

But I know nothing about it.

[Gran]

Not only can you home brew in NZ you can distill spirits too, hic!!
http://www.bininn.co.nz/
Gran

[ablears001]

I'm looking into this at the moment after seeing dark lager kits in my local Countdown. I know Mac's do a range of homebrew beer kits which I'm very excited about procuring

[mgbridges]

I'll try to get my OH to come and answer this as he is the Auckland rep for SOBA (Society of Beer Advocates) many of whom are keen home brewers. He has also started home brewing in a big way since our move to NZ and can probably answer your questions in detail.

Anneliese

[mgbridges]

OK, I think that's my cue!

There is a thriving homebrew scene in New Zealand. It's fairly easy to get access to grain, hops etc., although equipment tends to be a little bit pricey (because most things have to be imported). All the brewers I know are very much into cobbling together equipment from various sources.

Most big cities will have one or more homebrew shops. In Auckland there are several Brewcraft shops, though I get most of my stuff from Brewers Coop or Hauraki Homebrew. There's also the Dunedin Malthouse and Liberty Brewing (an online shop based out of New Plymouth).

Many homebrewers are members of SOBA, and there's also a superb online forum called RealBeer.

You may have some difficulty with MAF if you bring your coil chiller, I guess, although copper tubing is easy to pick up on TradeMe.

If you've got any more specific questions, drop me a PM or take a look at the RealBeer forum. And get in touch when you get out here - us homebrewers always like to share the fruits of our labours!

Cheers,

Martin

[BigRod]

These guys are round the corner from me, and are a mail order specialist as well:
http://www.greatexpectations.co.nz

... never mind the brewing - get one of their stills and get on the spirits!

[Fern01]

Any homebrewers in NZ? I'm sure there are - I know I've seen the subject mentioned on here before... How easy is it to get ingredients/equipment?

As you've found out, we have everything.

[nifta]

awesome, thanks for the replies

anyone know of any shop(s) in wellington? mail order is perfectly fine though.. there's absolutely nothing near us in london so i've relied on mail order thus far.

looks like equipment is indeed expensive.. the cooper coil chiller is around 27 quid here, but i've seen it priced at $150 in NZ. hmm.. maybe i'll get a new one and ship it unused.. or i could use it as an excuse to buy a counterflow...

sounds like you've got more techy stuff though!

well, maybe, but i must assure you that i am a novice.. i've only recently started and have much to learn!

one problem with our current little london flat is our tiny kitchen.. i'm looking forward to having a bigger working space in NZ, and maybe even achieving my ULTIMATE DREAM: a shed.

i'll definitely be checking out SOBA when we get there!