Beverage

Photo: Getty Images

‘Like putting a magic spell in my mouth’: The Spinoff’s 2018 food and drink highs

The Spinoff Food whānau and friends reveal the best things they put in their gobs this year.

By The Spinoff Food | 30th December, 2018

Alex Kirichuk of Puhoi Organic Distillery (Photo: Simon Day)

Summer reissue: Meet the Ukrainian nuclear engineer making spirits in Puhoi

In an unassuming spot just outside of our biggest city, exacting standards and secret methods are producing some of the smoothest spirits you’ll ever try.

By Alice Neville | 26th December, 2018

Duncans of the world, unite

It’s a slam Dunc: Meet the beer that’s a bit like a gin

Alice discovers that juniper and hops are a match made in heaven, while Henry pops the cork on a bargain bottle of bubbly.

By The Spinoff Food | 19th December, 2018

The Spinoff Hot Take Advent Calendar: December 19

The Spinoff Hot Take Advent Calendar: December 19

Every day in the lead-up to Christmas, open the door to reveal a Spinoff writer’s short, sizzling commentary on a weighty subject. Today: José Barbosa on the perfect milkshake.

By José Barbosa | 19th December, 2018

Senior Content Creator

pet-nat story

Pét-nat, what the heck’s that?

This lightly sparkling natural wine has been popping up on drinks lists all over the show, and it's not going away any time soon.

By Alice Neville | 18th December, 2018

The Sawmill East Coast IPA against the hazy Shanghai skyline (Photo: Getty Images)

Hazy in love: Is the West Coast IPA about to be dethroned?

A new release from Sawmill has Alice praising the haze, and Henry plans his Christmas around an excellent-value, full-flavoured pinot.

By The Spinoff Food | 5th December, 2018

The Spinoff Hot Take Advent Calendar: December 3

The Spinoff Hot Take Advent Calendar: December 3

Today: Emily Writes dismantles the Freakshake.

By Emily Writes | 3rd December, 2018

Contributing writer

Whitney Nicholls-Potts (left) and Whitney Wainui take a tea break (Photo: Celia Hall)

He kapu tī māu? Championing te reo through tea

Two Auckland friends have combined their love of tea with their passion for te reo Māori – and turned it into a business.

By Alice Neville | 29th November, 2018

Cider: not a frequent visitor to my fridge (Photo: Alice Neville)

Whose cider you on? A summery new drop even a hop-head can enjoy

Alice drinks outside her comfort zone, and Henry enjoys a young, fruity pinot gris named after a Martinborough legend.

By The Spinoff Food | 28th November, 2018

screengrab from jamie oliver sugar tax video

‘You gotta push this through, bruv’: Watch Jamie Oliver’s sugar tax message to NZ

In a video filmed for a conference the health minister was scheduled to open but then withdrew from, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver implores David Clark to pass a sugar tax.

By The Spinoff Food | 28th November, 2018

Dietary Requirements: The great bay leaf conspiracy, Kiwi onion dip and a world exclusive VIP guest

Dietary Requirements: The great bay leaf conspiracy, Kiwi onion dip and a world exclusive VIP guest

Dietary Requirements is The Spinoff’s monthly podcast in which we eat, drink and talk about it too, with special thanks to Freedom Farms and Fine Wine Delivery Co.

By Dietary Requirements | 26th November, 2018

Image: Getty Images/Tina Tiller

You’re never too old for an advent calendar

Not feeling the festive spirit? Get yourself one of these bad boys and relive your childhood (but with added booze).

By The Spinoff Food | 24th November, 2018

Jeff and Virginia Poole, Richard Poole and Tracey Hawes of Fine Wine Delivery Co (Photo: Supplied)

Ageing like a fine wine: The family business that came back from the brink

Just like the New Zealand wine industry it champions, Fine Wine Delivery Co has been through quite a journey over the past two decades.

By Alice Neville | 22nd November, 2018

Photo: Getty Images

We’re not ‘aving a laugh: This is an English-style ale that actually has flavour

Alice is taken back to Blighty by an old-school bitter, and Henry paints the town millennial pink.

By The Spinoff Food | 21st November, 2018

Jesse Schrader mans the Dorset Street taps (Photo: Naomi Haussman)

Fill ‘er up: The Christchurch garage turned haven of beer, wine and good design

Part cellar door, part bottle shop and soon-to-be urban winery, Dorset Street Cellar Door has a big future ahead of it.

By James Dann | 20th November, 2018

janelle monae pynk screengrab with sawmill raspberry sour beer

Real (wo)men drink pink beer

Alice is tickled pink with a summery sour beer, while Henry says hola to a super-approachable Spanish white from Gizzy.

By The Spinoff Food | 14th November, 2018