NZ Brewers Guild sets up foundation to help male brewers deal with the anxiety of wearing a collared shirt.

BGNZ's Craig Bowen announces the “Hop Under the Collar Foundation” at this year’s awards.

Moving from gumboots and T-shirts to collared shirts is easy for most but for a group of New Zealand’s brewers it’s a moment of fear and anxiety. Every year dozens of brewers suffer in silence trying to choose shirts, ties and jackets for their beer industries biggest event. Most give up and apply the “sorry not sorry” approach with their wardrobe choice arriving in a black t-shirt with a logo or slogan on it, their typical dress code.

This year the NZ Brewer’s guild has reached into their silk lined pockets and launched a project that should give brewers an outlet to share their stories with others and help give them the confidence to put a shirt on, and perhaps one day a belt. Speaking at this years Mashing In where the dress code is casual, awards chairman Craig Bowen said this empathetic approach was the best way to deal with upset, sweaty brewers. “After I found the confidence to dress up and started feeling great in my fabulous tux, I wanted to help brewers do the same. I’ve always been about helping them.” said Bowen.

Private counseling sessions hosted by Bowen will be held during the evening’s awards show where participants can share their stories with others who suffer from FODUD – Fear of dressing up disorder.