Latest from Brewing and Liquor Industry

A legal stoush is brewing over the $1.5 billion price tag Japanese beer maker Asahi paid for Auckland-based Independent Liquor in 2011.

The festive season, finds Don Kavanagh, is a license to try a few new bevvies.

The takeover of a well-known craft brewery is not all bad, notes Don Kavanagh.

Thomson's labels are well worth serious attention, says Don Kavanagh.

Don Kavanagh toasts one of this country's most successful wineries.

Choosing the right drinks to go with your barbecue this summer will make the good times even better.

Czech and US beers are vying to win over Kiwi drinkers, writes Don Kavanagh.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has defended requiring councils to wait for a year before they can use new powers over liquor licensing, saying smaller councils could not handle it.

Don Kavanagh tries to steady his nerves for a gig and some tasting at the Celtic Inn.

Chase Bickerton - from the The Naughty Penguin Bar in Queenstown - beat 370 entrants to win the biggest bartending competition in NZ history - the Beam Bar Legend. Contestants were tasked with six rounds including a formal interview, a blind tasting, an aperitivo challenge, a masterclass with Ago Perrone and two cocktail invention challenges. Check out images from the gruelling two-day final in Auckland.

Don Kavanagh mourns the demise of the traditional Irish pub in his homeland.

For what seemed like a millennium, New Zealand beer was brown fizzy stuff that tasted of, well, nothing. But no longer ...

Old habits catch up with Don Kavanagh as he does the rounds in Kuala Lumpur.

Don Kavanagh questions the logic in ruling out one-bottle alcohol sales.

Don Kavanagh samples new beers to sort the sippers from the session-suppers.