An acceptance speech...

Things have been crazily hectic since the weekend, and it’s only just now that we have had a minute to sit down and reflect on the eventualities of last week. It still feels rather dreamlike, and it is still difficult to comprehend that we took out what is one of the most hotly contested categories at the NZ Beer Awards. But we did, and it’s not as though we did it without the help of a few people over the years.

So here’s a shout out to all the people who have made a difference to Liberty Brewing.

First of all, Steve Plowman. Back in ’08 when you let me have a play around in your brewery, you opened my eyes to what big batches of could really be like. Over the years, brewing and drinking good beer at Hallertau has been inspirational.

Luke Nicholas. Dude, you opened my eyes to what flavour hops could put into a beer. You inspired me so many times over the years. It wasn’t until I first met you at the Kumeu Wine and Food festival when I realised that you were a human being, with a palate that appreciated my home brew.

Stu McKinlay and Brendon MacKenzie. Without you fellas, there’d be no Liberty. You’s two invented the brand name! It’s not just the sale of a good home brew business, but it’s the friendship and inspirational out of left field beers you make. It’s taking a punt on my homebrew recipes, and brewing thousands of liters of it ever year for the last three years and helping me get my name out there.

Dominic Kelly. Your level headed approach to beer and business. Your comments about the stuff we make – and the fact that you took a punt and changed your entire system at the bar JUST so that we could put on 20 Litre home brew kegs. You gave us the kickstart we needed.

Craig Bowen. For all the chats on the phone about getting our shit into a wider marketplace – and all the patience in the world for our supply… or lack thereof!

Mike Neilson. Bro. Over the years, I have seen you at the very beginning of your brewing career… from your very first Imperial IPA even! To the point where right now, you are the head brewer of one of NZ’s most successful breweries in history. Your rise, and attitude is inspirational.

Barry Hannah. Cuz… your handiwork on all of our packaging has been so fantastic. We are getting huge amounts of love especially for the Monster label – and it’s all down to your mad skillz.

Greig McGill. Mate – thanks for all your support and love over the years. Your webservice is amazing, and we cannot thank you enough for the devotion you put in whenever our dinosaur server (that you maintain especially for us) shits itself.

My wife Christina and the Kids… Needless to say sometimes they come 2^nd best to whenever I’m brewing… which is a lot!

And most of all you guys. Our customers. What can I say… without your insatiable appetite for some simple honest beer… we’d have no business at all.

To anyone else who didn’t get a mention… sorry! Alcohol affects short term memory. But don’t worry… this is only the start!