The New Zealand Craft Beer Marketplace

The New Zealand craft beer marketplace is rapidly growing – arguably a little too rapidly for the sustainability of what is still a small market within a small market. Some will sadly fall by the wayside, others will (and already have) be swallowed up by the bigger guys, which in some instances leads to a drop in quality.

Fortunately, Luke and the team at Epic continue to blaze a path through the industry.  Proudly 100% NZ (and family) owned, Epic have been flying the craft flag in New Zealand since the early days, and never cease to impress.  I have been unlucky to try a number of ‘Low Carb’ beers over the years, and the majority of them have been humourless, sallow, slightly sad creatures – if they were a band they would be Nickelback. Enter Epic, who have just released ‘Epic Blue’. With 70% less carbs and a healthy 4.8% ABV, this drop is anything but sad or humourless. Bright, effervescent , typically Pale Ale characters and eminently drinkable, it is a frankly brilliant entry to the market – a market surely set to grow as more and more people, like myself, realise that either their feet are retracting or their belly is growing … An excellent beer, even if it were a ‘standard’ drop. Well worth hunting out. 4.5*