While the creamy chocolate flavours of Sprig & Fern’s Norty Porter caught the judges’ attention at the latest beer awards, so did owner and master brewer, Tracy Banner, who became the first-ever recipient of the inaugural People Award.
The 20th Anniversary Brewers Guild of New Zealand Beer Awards were held last week, with Sprig & Fern Brewing Co claiming 13 medals and two trophies, including the best-in-class trophy in the fruit and flavoured category for Norty Porter.
When Tracy was announced as the winner of the People Award, the room erupted into a standing ovation. Marketing and communications executive Chris Goff says it was an unmistakable sign of her remarkable achievement and value within New Zealand’s brewing industry. The People Award follows her previous Fellowship and Honorary Medal.
The 2026 competition attracted 660 entries from breweries throughout New Zealand and overseas, judged by a panel of industry experts. Sprig & Fern Brewing Co now has 15 taverns and Little Sprigs across Nelson-Tasman and Wellington.
