Today would have been the 50th birthday of New Zealand beer writer Neil Miller. He wrote regularly for Beer and Brewer magazine, the beer blog at Real Beer NZ and the Malthouse Blog. Though born in Scotland — Broxburn — he made Wellington his home. I met Neil when he was visiting the states with Luke Nicholas and other New Zealand beer aficionados for the Craft Brewers Conferences in 2009. They came over early to tour the west coast before CBC began in San Diego that year. We met up at my local brewpub, Moylan’s, and Neil hilariously tells a story about that meeting that I was completely unaware of at the time. Thanks to the series of tubes known as the internet, we’ve managed to keep in touch since then. Unfortunately, Neil passed away June 1, 2021. Join me in drinking a toast to Neil tonight.

Neil in his cups at his table at the Malthouse

Behind the bar at the Mussel Inn.

With recently married Kate Pullar. The correct caption: “when are you going to buy me another of these Epic Armageddon IPAs?”

Neil with Luke Nicholas.
[Note: Photos Purloined from Facebook.]