Tuatara Invades Melbourne

While Tuatara (the Species) and Tuatara (the Brewery) are proud natives of New Zealand, there are numerous connections between Tuatara and the Victorian Capital of Melbourne. Certainly, Mr Chris Tuatara played rugby league for the Melbourne Storm though perhaps unfortunately for his bank balance he appears to have left just before the salary cap scandals.

A scientist from the University of Melbourne helped produce a report which predicted that climate change could spell the end for Tuatara. According to their research, Tuatara would gradually die out as they would increasingly only give birth to male offspring. Their press release gave this rather depressing prediction the slightly jarring title of "Male Tuatara are desperate, and may soon be dateless." Let’s just say they are not on the Tuatara Christmas Card List anymore.

In terms of beer, Tuatara Brewery has been exporting to Melbourne for some time now. We have some big customers there but it is a truly huge market and we are looking to expand even further. This week, most of the team has headed off to Melbourne to work on a week of beer events centred in and around the Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA).

First up, we will be participating in the brewing equivalent of 'speed dating' with a number of potential large customers. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has set up an event to try and match up craft New Zealand breweries with big Australian beer buyers.

Each brewery has a table to display their beers, promotional material and a bit of food. In the allocated ten minutes, the idea is to talk the buyers through our products and hopefully make a connection. When the bell rings, all the buyers move on one table. It’s going to be fun, intense and hopefully productive. Big thanks have to go to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise for getting behind the craft brewing industry.

On the 19th we will find out the results of the Wellington Gold Awards. Those members of Team Tuatara still in the country will put on their party best and head out to the posh Awards dinner. Fingers crossed all round.

The next day, the Melbourne-based contingent will be at the Australian International Beer Awards in the swanky Crown Palladium in Melbourne. They probably will not be quite as well dressed but will all be hoping for a bit of success at this prestigious contest. The entire Tuatara range has been entered into the awards which have been running since 1993.

Tuatara will also be represented at the Beer and Brewer Expo at Young and Jackson’s. Melbourne readers should buy a ticket and head on in.

It’s a big week for Tuatara – no wonder we feel like a beer!

Cheers from the team at Tuatara.