First Annual Emerson’s Brewery Queens Birthday Pie Off
Well what an event. What started off as a small idea to create a bit of staff morale and some fun for friends and local clients expanded quickly into a full-blown competition, over 40 pies in two categories; Amateur and Professional. People were very secretive about their pies, one person even importing ingredients.
The idea was that people made pies and each pie needed to include an Emerson beer, which was or had been commercially available. We had pies of many descriptions; Fish Pie with Maris Gold, Steak and Mussel Pie with London Porter, Apple Pie with Whiskey Porter. Every beer had a pie made for it, but the Old 95 and Taieri George seem to be the most popular.
Judging was done by the contestants, the Professionals judged the Amateurs and the Amateurs judged the Professionals. It was a bracing -1 degrees but we all wrapped up warm and got on with eating pies and drinking beer.
Winners:
- Amateur Division: Our own James Falconer with a Venison and Kidney pie made with an Old 95, a mash potato top garnished with parsley. He is already planning his defence. A clear winner.
- Professional Division: Adrian Woodhouse, Levito Bakery won with an Almond Tart using Taieri George.