We’re excited to tee off as the Official Beer Sponsor for the prestigious New Zealand Open.

"We're stoked to be the chosen beer partner for the New Zealand Open. It's an absolute honour and can't wait to bring the bold flavours of Canyon to this world-class golf tournament."
Jimmy Nicholson, Director of Canyon Brewing.

Queenstown is proud to be the home for this esteemed event, flaunting the top-notch Millbrook Resort to viewers from all over the world, and we're excited to showcase the bold taste of our hometown at the heart of the action!

Not ones to miss an opportunity to push the envelope, we’re rolling out the official beer of the New Zealand Open, a limited edition can of our infamous 'Vacation’ Hazy Pale Ale. Crafted with the same adventurous spirit that defines Canyon, it promises a taste of vacation in every sip, whether you’re watching the New Zealand Open in person at Millbrook Resort, or from your couch at home.

SHOP NOW - New Zealand Open x Vacation Hazy Pale Ale

“We are delighted to have Jimmy and the team from Canyon Brewing on board for this year’s event. We love working with locals who know the region and are supportive of the event we host.”

“Canyon have some great products, we love the taste of their Beer, and hope that golf fans across the country get a taste of the limited-edition New Zealand Open beer this year.”
Michael Goldstein, Partnership Manager of New Zealand Open.

If you're a golf fanatic, a craft beer lover, or just into soaking up good vibes, crack a cold one with us this New Zealand Open.

New Zealand Open x Vacation Hazy Pale Ale available in bottle shops, supermarkets and online.

SHOP NOW

At Canyon Brewing, we're passionate about crafting great beers that not only quench your thirst, but also leave a positive impact on the planet. Today, we are incredibly proud to unveil our latest collaboration with Sherwood: Be Here Now, a collaborative brew that supports local carbon removal initiatives. This joint endeavour marks a significant milestone in our mission to brew responsibly and create a more sustainable future for Queenstown. 

In Sherwood, we've found a kindred spirit that shares our passion for sustainability. Their commitment to creating a more sustainable town aligns perfectly with our vision for a greener future. This partnership allows us to combine our efforts and make a more substantial impact in reducing carbon emissions in the Queenstown area. 

"Be Here Now, inspired by the Ram Dass book of the same title, is created to inspire you to live in the moment and enjoy everything this beautiful town has to offer” 

Project Aim

Like any manufacturing process, brewing beer inevitably results in carbon emissions. Now, we’re not going to stop making beer (because it’s tasty, and we love doing it) but we are committed to going above and beyond to make sure the beer we produce makes a positive difference. We are channeling a portion of the profits from the Be Here Now Hazy Pale Ale to support local biodiversity initiatives in the hopes to offset the emissions it takes to produce it! 

The first step towards achieving this was to measure and understand the carbon footprint of the beer. This includes the carbon emissions associated with sourcing all the ingredients that go into it such as barley, hops, and yeast, as well as the energy used to brew, package and deliver it. Even the creation of labels and cans didn't escape scrutiny. By tracking these emissions, we gained valuable insights into our impact on the environment, enabling us to create a tangible figure to work towards. 

Inspiring Adventures, Low Emissions 

From breathtaking hikes in pristine national parks to biking trails that showcase the area's natural beauty, we wanted the label to serve as a reminder that indulging in low to no emissions adventures is not only possible, but crucial for preserving the beauty of the Southern Lakes area. 

So, as we launch Be Here Now in collaboration with Sherwood, we invite all of you to join us on this sustainability journey. By choosing this beer, you become part of the solution, supporting local biodiversity projects and contributing to a cleaner, greener Queenstown. 

Together, we can raise a toast to a future where great beer and sustainability go hand in hand. Let's embrace a lifestyle that celebrates the environment and brings us closer to Queenstown’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. 

Cheers to many more sustainable sips! 

Today is International Women’s Day, a day to shine a light on all the amazing women in our lives, so it only seems fitting to introduce you to our assistant brewer, Grace.

Apart from being a literal ray of sunshine around the brewery each day, she has been an integral part of our growth journey since joining the Canyon team in September. Her background in wine making means her impeccable palette has been gracing (pun intended) your beers for the past 6 months, making them even more flavoursome than ever before. Come down to the brewery and you’ll hear her quick wit over the buzz of the tanks as she’s busy brewing or canning our latest batch, and come knock off time you’ll catch her cuddled up on the couch with an ice cold beer and our brewery dog, Utah.

We’re very proud to have such a strong female role model in our team, but it’s no secret that the brewing industry has faced a lot of criticism around inclusivity and diversity in recent years. We chatted to Grace about what it’s like to be one of the very few female brewers in the country, the shifts we’ve seen in the industry lately, and of course, all things beer.

Where are you from?
I grew up in the suburbs of Auckland.

Tell us a little bit about what you’re like outside of work…
Naturally I love the outdoors, as do most people who choose to live in this beautiful part of the world. The mountains are a welcome change from the ocean which I grew up around, and I love hiking/exploring them as much as possible, as well as any water based activity, or anything involving live music. 

What did you study at university?
I did my Bachelors in Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Auckland, as I found pharmaceuticals fascinating and loved chemistry in high school, and originally wanted to go down that route. After realising the pharmaceutical industry was not for me, I went on to study a Postgraduate Diploma in Wine Science, which threw me into the beautiful world of fermentation. After getting my first brewing job, I obtained my General Certificate in Brewing from IBD. 

What drew you to beer over wine?
After spending 4 years in the wine industry, I love the creative freedom that brewers’ have when designing a new beer. It has all the parts I love about the wine industry (the perfect blend of science and art), but instead of getting one shot a year, you can brew as often as you like. Although it can be challenging due to the many parameters you are in control of, it's also incredibly satisfying, and there is always something new to learn/taste/try! The New Zealand beer industry is at an interesting point in its evolution, where it’s essentially the Wild West, with so many breweries branching out into very experimental styles which is exciting to be amongst.

How long have you been brewing?
I have been in the beer industry for almost two years now.

How does it feel to be one of the very few women brewers in New Zealand?
As the wine industry is also quite male-dominated, I thought it would be more or less the same, but it turns out there are even fewer women in brewing. The other women that I have met have all been absolute legends, so it’s nice to form a small community and have people that can relate to your experiences. It makes me excited for the future of brewing, as I believe the gender balance will even out in years to come, as it is already starting to. I think it’s awesome to be part of it in this stage and to hopefully inspire more females to get into the industry. 

Were there any barriers or stigmas you had to/are still overcoming being a woman in a very male dominated industry?
I think what it comes down to is recognising your worth, and finding a supportive work environment where you feel respected and valued, which I am lucky enough to have found at Canyon. It’s not always easy, but as I am passionate about what I do then I hope that my work can speak for itself. At the end of the day I’m always going to be a woman, and I won’t know what it’s like to not have the stigma that comes with it in this environment, so I may as well just try my best!

What would you like to see change about the industry? 
Obviously inclusivity is a big one, as recently there was a huge shift in the US regarding sexual harassment/assault toward females in the beer industry, pioneered by Brienne Allen (@ratmagnet on Instagram, definitely go check out all the amazing work she’s done in giving females a platform to speak out). I think that the change is already well underway, so encouraging more women to join the industry is a massive step in the right direction.

What advice would you give to any woman looking to get into the brewing industry?
Just go for it! Brewers are often pretty laid-back and approachable people, so find a brewery you love and put your name forward. Luckily there are so many resources available, so becoming familiar with the process and what styles you’re interested in is a good place to start.

What’s your favourite beer?
That’s such a tough question, I feel like I have a favourite beer for every mood. A crispy lager for breakfast, a punchy hazy to finish off a big work day, and a gose in the sun.

What is an underrated beer style that deserves more attention?
I am getting really into wheat beers, such as Hefeweizen, as they have a really interesting texture. They can be hard to come by though, so I’m always on the hunt for new ones to try.

It’s a scorching Summer's day, what’s your go-to Canyon beer?
Can’t go past a sour on a hot day, either the Mango sour or The Perfect Pair if you want something a little lighter.