Newly formed New Zealand Craft Beer Collective comes to the UK

By Erin Smith

Published: 05 February, 2015

The New Zealand Craft Beer Collective, a group of craft brewers that formed in mid-2014, will soon be imported and distributed in the UK.

The Collective is made of five different micro breweries from across different regions of New Zealand including Tuatara on the Kapiti Coast, Renaissance in Marlborough, 8 Wired from Blenheim, Three Boys from Christchurch and Yeastie Boys from Wellington.

The UK was a top target for The Collective and it had been working to begin exporting as soon as the right partner was found.

Stu McKinlay, head of Yeastie Boys and the spokesperson for The Collective said: "Over the last six months we have been working very hard as a group to not only structure the internal workings of a collective, but also engage with potential partners in the UK."

Instil Drinks, which is part of the recently formed Bibendum PLB Group, has been named as agent. Bibendum PLB Group will distribute core products through its sales channels and The Collective will also appoint a number of "specialist" craft wholesalers for the more esoteric beers in each brewer's range which will be managed by Instil.

Mark Johnson, managing director at Instil Drinks, said: "We are very proud to be appointed agents for these great brands which represent a wide range of different styles and innovation within the craft beer industry. The Collective is a good fit with what we do and it will allow us to broaden our reach in the craft beer sector.

"Working with Instil is a no-brainer for us as they tick all of our boxes. We want to work and invest together to build a category for top-end New Zealand beers in the UK and are very excited about what a company like Instil can offer us as a group," said McKinlay.

Instil Drinks Co will initially import two beers from each craft brewery in a keg and bottle formats.

The following craft beer will be imported:

Stone Cutter Scotch Ale and Voyager IPA from Renaissance

New Zealand Extra Dimensional APA and a Pilsner from Tuatara

iStout and Rewired Unchained from 8 Wired

Oyster Stout and New Zealand IPA from Three Boys

Gunnamatta IPA and Pot Kettle Black Porter from Yeastie Boys.

The Collective will be participating in Craft Beer Rising, which will be held on 19th -22nd February and will participating in London Beer Week (16th-22nd February) where there will be opportunities to meet the brewers.

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