An award-winning Master Brewer, international judge, respected mentor and renowned business owner, Tracy Banner has carved out an impressive career in the brewing industry over the last forty years.
Originally from the UK, Tracy left school ready to tackle the workforce with admirable tenacity. Excelling in science and languages, Tracy studied French for five years, German for three, and excelled at typing. “Back then I was keen to either become a bilingual secretary or go down the route of chemical biophysics. I applied and was offered both jobs, but ultimately it was the lab coats and Bunsen burners that fuelled my decision.”
Starting as a lab tech for a large corporate brewery, Tracy’s sensory aptitude fast tracked her in the industry and by age 23 she was already hitting management level. After relocating to New Zealand in 1994, Tracy held various managerial positions across the country, becoming the first female in history to run the iconic Speight’s Brewery in Dunedin as brewery manager and head brewer, before settling back in Nelson where she had previously been head brewer at Mac’s for a number of years.
As the owner and Master Brewer of Sprig + Fern Brewing Co, Tracy says the secret to her success is living and breathing both quality and consistency.
Receiving the Morton Coutts Trophy in 2018, Tracy was also awarded an Honorary Fellowship to the Brewers Guild of New Zealand in 2019, adding to her Honorary Member accolade in 2014, along with a myriad of national and international awards. It is this recognition that drives Tracy’s passion for the industry. “Receiving the Morton Coutts Trophy meant a lot to me as Morton was a true innovator in the industry. It was an honour to be placed alongside someone of that calibre.”
Brewing for a long time, Tracy believes the Sprig + Fern team are leaders and innovators in what they do. “I think our dedication to our craft still shows all these years later – we are continuously evolving, moving with the times and still winning awards.”
Tracy says her choice of beer depends on the type of day. On a cooler day a Porter or IPA would be a go-to whereas when it’s warmer she will opt for a crisp lager, a hazy or a fruity pale ale. “New Zealand hops are some of the best in the world, and we are especially lucky because of our proximity to the hop farms and the great relationships we have with local growers. This means we get to brew with new hop varieties and make an annual pilgrimage in March to hand select the fresh hops being harvested.”
sprigandfern.co.nz
