Thanks to the folk at the Asia New Zealand Foundation for alerting me to this world exclusive from Beer & Brewer Magazine. It's the New Zealand Foreign Ministry's reply to an FOI requests asking for 'a list of every New Zealand beer brand served at each New Zealand Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in 2010, 2011 and 2012'. The highlights:
- In 89 instances, New Zealand diplomatic posts served no New Zealand beer at all. (Note: A number of diplomatic posts do not officially serve alcohol due to religious and cultural restrictions in their host country.)
- In 63 instances, New Zealand diplomatic posts served only mainstream New Zealand beers.
- In just 4 instances, New Zealand diplomatic posts served New Zealand craft beers. In 2012, the Hong Kong post served Harrington’s, in 2012 Los Angeles procured Moa and in 2011 and 2012 the Washington post also offered Moa.
The use of the word 'officially' in the bracketed text is rather delightful, and reminds me of this: