We covet their prime minister and their fly-half. They love our pay rates and our weather. But could it be beer that finally calms the Trans Tasman rivalry between Australia and New Zealand?
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Canberra’s BentSpoke Brewery and Wellington’s Fork & Brewer are collaborating on a bespoke sister city beer, celebrating the cultural ties of the sister cities.
The beer will be labelled Ale of Two Cities and will be ready for launch in Canberra at the start of November.
It will then be launched in New Zealand during Canberra Week in Wellington in mid-November and “tap takeovers” at official events will also be on the cards.
Kelly Ryan, head brewer at Fork & Brewer, suggests that perhaps a Hurricanes and Brumbies Super Rugby match might be such a fitting event. Given the recent form of the Brumbies perhaps a few consoling ales might help us all.
Ryan and Richard Watkins and Tracy Margrain from BentSpoke say brewing is one area where there is little rivalry between the two countries.
“One of the best things about the industry is that everyone’s very open to sharing information,” Watkins said.
“Generally speaking there are not too many secrets, if you're making a new beer you can call on mates for advice.”
The first incarnation of the beer will be made using a blend of Australian and New Zealand hops in the BentSpoke cannery in Mitchell. Ryan says there may be a chance to do a New Zealand blend is his own brewery using local malt and his yeast strain.
“It will be a great opportunity for us to see some subtle differences in the same recipes made in the different countries,” Ryan said.
Deputy High Commissioner of New Zealand LLewellyn Roberts said the collaboration reinforced the great relationship between Canberra and Wellington.
“They’re both innovative cities with a great culture and what better way to make connections than through beer and good company,” Roberts said.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said he hoped the project was a catalyst for further improvements of knowledge, business development, social cohesion and market export and import growth between the two cities.
“Wellington and Canberra both have vibrant, established and growing craft beer markets, so this serves as an ideal partnership to celebrate and strengthen our sister-city relationship,” Barr said.
“I am sure this process will evolve into a city-wide opportunity for established and emerging craft brewers in Canberra to engage, develop and exchange brews with their Wellington counterparts.”
