New Zealand: Green Man Brewery awarded The Morton Coutts Trophy for Innovation

The Morton Coutts Trophy for Innovation has this year been awarded to Dunedin brewing newcomer – Green Man Brewery. In 2005 the much coveted trophy was awarded to established Dunedin craft brewery – Emerson’s Brewing Co., Scoop released September 13.

Named after the internationally acclaimed brewer and inventor, New Zealander Morton Coutts, who worked in New Zealand brewing circles for over 60 years and is widely credited for developing the continuous fermentation process, the trophy is awarded to a brewery that can demonstrate a high level of innovation or creativity in the business of brewing over a 12 month period.

It is awarded annually during BrewNZ celebrations held each year in Wellington.

This year the panel of judges assessing each nomination said: "The panel wishes to acknowledge the high standard of all entries each of which submitted a carefully considered nomination demonstrating a truly thoughtful approach to how they produce their beer and deliver it to the customer.

“This year the Trophy has been awarded to a young brewery that is placing great emphasis on adopting an holistic approach to the craft of brewing beginning with organic raw ingredients through to packaging and beyond.

“While not entirely innovative in any single aspect of the brewing or packaging process, when taken as a whole the winner shows commitment to producing beer of quality in an attractive package and with an overall concern for waste minimisation.

“This incorporates the use of organic ingredients a Bottle Reuse Initiative, and extensive recycling of plastic and paper which recognises the need to minimise any negative environmental impact of their business.

“While still in the formative stages and restricted to the immediate vicinity of the brewery, this initiative has the potential to be rolled out on a much larger scale and the brewer hopes, eventually, for it to be shared with other breweries.

This year the Morton Coutts Trophy has been awarded in recognition of the efforts of a small new brewery to establish a unique market niche for itself and as an encouragement for it to continue to explore and develop innovative ways of operating in a environmentally responsible manner. The panel recognises that this is not easy for any business and applauds the winner’s clear resolve to overcome the practical and commercial hurdles inherent in the process - something Morton Coutts would be delighted to see."

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