Good George are dedicating a beer to Matariki – the Maori New Year. We take a look at 5 things you need to know about the occasion and its new brew
Waikato beer crew, Good George Brewing, have joined forces with artist Shane Hansen to create something special for this year’s Matariki celebrations.
The limited edition Matariki IPA is a creative tribute to all things Mother Nature, whanau, life and death. It comes in 330ml cans filled with Good George’s moreish IPA.
If you’re unfamiliar with Good George or Matariki, here is what you need to know:
- Matariki is the name for a cluster of stars called Pleiades.
It rises in mid-winter (18 June this year) and signals the start of the Maori New Year. It literally means the ‘eyes of god’ or ‘little eyes’. Matariki is a time to remember those who have past and celebrate new beginnings.
- Good George have produced 12,000 cans of Matariki IPA - 4000 of each colour (pink, blue and green).
Although you’ll likely be too busy drinking it, take a look at the back of your can and it will tell you what number it is (xxxx of 4000).
- The idea for Matariki IPA was sparked when Shane Hansen was chatting with the Good George team over a pint at the brewery.
“As an artist I am always looking for new ways to showcase my artwork. The Good George limited edition art can was perfect! I wanted to do something that was pretty unique in terms of labelling, something that would stand out, provoke conversation and appeal to both men and women. It also had to taste great hence picking the Good George IPA.”
- Hansen wanted his art to be launched during this special time of year and just like New Year’s Eve; he thought that Matariki deserved a dedicated beverage.
“Matariki is about celebrating whanau and friends, relationships past, present and future, a time to acknowledge and show respect to Mother Nature who provides us with life. We celebrate the 1st Jan with a glass of bubbles, why not celebrate Matariki with a nice can of Good George IPA.”
- The IPA beverage itself is inspired by the heady, spicy lemon aroma of fresh German hops and weighs in at 5.8% ABV.
It combines rich malts with hoppy bitterness and has a mandarin, grassy, pithy taste – rather fitting alongside the Mother Nature theme.
Available only over the Matariki months of June and July.
