Beer aficionados

[Mekk]

Over the last year or so I've become interested in beer as more than just something to get me fucked up. I really like my stouts and old ales and am rather passionate about pairing them nicely with the right food.

So anyway, I'm going to head along to the 2008 New Zealand Beer Festival at the Ellerslie Racecourse in February and was wondering if anyone has been to one of these before? I did a search for threads and found a notice for the 2007 one but it had garnered very little attention.

I just want to know what to expect, really. Is it like those snobby wine-tasting events or more of a casual kiwi kind of thing or is there a bit of both or what?

Cheers.

[James Deuce]

I have no idea, but when you get there look up Tuatara, try the Pilsener and tell me that isn't the best you've ever tasted.

+2,000,000,000,000 cred points for starting a beer thread.

You little ripper.

[Gubb]

Around 6000 people turned up to the '07 one.

Amazing time, not snobby at all, real down to earth. Supposed to be 24 suppliers there in '08, 4 up from last year.

Cool bands playing too.

Tuatara is sensational, but i'm all about red beers at the moment. (Mmmmm. Sassy Red) and the occasional Hoegaarden.

[Indiana_Jones]

Well my bro went in 2007 I'm fairly sure and he had a enjoyable time.

I don't think it's like a wine show for 50+ etc

-Indy

[Zuki Bandit]

One of my mates is right into beer. I would him a "beer aficionado". He brews his own, each batch by the keg, once the brew is ready, he puts the new keg into a modified fridge that has the hose connected to a pouring tap attached to the outside of the fridge. It even has a drip tray under it.
He often sits there studying the colour, after taste and headiness of each new beer and suggests complimentry foods. I reckon it has it's place for critique just like wine does.

[Indiana_Jones]

I reckon it has it's place for critique just like wine does.

Too true.

I enjoy nice ales from the Galbraiths ale house in Mt. Eden (just past Mt. Eden motorcycles). They brew all their own ale on site and it tastes wicked :)

here's there site: http://www.alehouse.co.nz/

-Indy

[sAsLEX]

a pouring tap attached to the outside of the fridge.

So last century


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Best use of robotics in the world!

[Steam]

... but i'm all about red beers at the moment. (Mmmmm. Sassy Red) and the occasional Hoegaarden.

What the heck is this Red sensation about? It doesn't seem to be a recognised style, just a marketing creation of the brewing companies.

EDIT: Oh, it is a style after all. Not much of one, not very dstinctive apart from the colour, but I guess it deserves to have its own name.

[bell]

One of my mates is right into beer. I would him a "beer aficionado". He brews his own, each batch by the keg, once the brew is ready, he puts the new keg into a modified fridge that has the hose connected to a pouring tap attached to the outside of the fridge. It even has a drip tray under it.
He often sits there studying the colour, after taste and headiness of each new beer and suggests complimentry foods. I reckon it has it's place for critique just like wine does.

Your friend has seen the light. Or rather he's tasted the shite that passes for mainstream beer in this country and decided that life's too short to drink DB, Lion Red, Speights [insert mainstream beer of choice here]. Your friend could be your ticket to a new level of beer appreciation.

I'm onto a Chocoalte Stout tonight and it's affecting my typong, er, typing. If you've never had good "home-brew" then you're missing out. There are brewers out there in your neighbourhood creating beer that could win awards. But, rather sensibly, they only share it with their wives or good friends!

Of course, there are also brewers in your neighbourhood brewing stuff that could strip grease off engines. Sadly, this is the home-brew that most people have tried and suffered from the next day. "Good" beer, such as that which comes out of my kegs will not give you a headache the morning after as it's not full of preservatives and shit that commercial beers are.


I have no idea, but when you get there look up Tuatara, try the Pilsener and tell me that isn't the best you've ever tasted.

+2,000,000,000,000 cred points for starting a beer thread.

You little ripper.

I suspect that our dear friend Jim already knows that beer is a man's best friend. His critique of the Tuatara Pils is about spot on. It's one of the best that you'll find in NZ, and believe me I've been trying over the past few years. Don't think for 1 minute that the "Pilsener" that is being poured from Monteiths bottles around the nation is worthy. I give it a 6/10. Tuatara's offering rates into the 8/10 range.

Oh to live about 200kms closer to the Malthouse...

[Motu]

After numerous personal studies conducted late into the night into the early hours - it seems beer of all kinds seem to go with carrots....even if you haven't eaten a carrot for a week,the evidence is at your feet.

[Zuki Bandit]

After numerous personal studies conducted late into the night into the early hours - it seems beer of all kinds seem to go with carrots....even if you haven't eaten a carrot for a week,the evidence is at your feet.
To true there Motu. Funny that ay, same applies to corn as well!

[Steam]

Everyone here must try La Trappe "Quadrupel" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Koningshoeven_Brewery)
It's simply astounding.
It's 10%.
Full, heady, strong stuff, yet mellow and mild too. It's almost like a wine, but still beer. Made by monks in the Netherlands.
It's at your local supermarket and really is worth a try.
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/1/1b/150px-3_la_trappe.jpg

[Bikernereid]

If you want to know what beer is about then get yourself to the nearest shop that sells BELGIAN beer none of this gnats piss yank stuff that is branded about. Stella or wife beater as it is known in the UK is ok but it is the crap that isn't good enough for the Belgians. Try any Trappiste (can't spell) beer, Duvel, Chimay or Kreik if you like your fruity beers (don't drink too may they are sweet and make you want to hurl if you aren't into that). Belgium has hundreds of different types of beer so you can't go wrong.

[Mekk]

Thanks all for your responses, I am pretty excited about it. I've heard legends about the Tuatara...

I'm keen on broadening my tastes and figure the festival would be the best way to do it. I recently got a really good book on all things drink and am glad part of the beer-tasting process is swallowing it as opposed to wine-tasting...

My flatmate and I are keen on home-brewing too so that's a goer, especially as we inherited a drinks fridge from the previous owners!

[Sanx]

Black Sheep Ale. You can buy it (sometimes) from the Glengarry's on Dominion Rd. Should be served between 10 and 15 degrees C. Not cold, not warm - the temperature of a cool cellar.

[Mekk]

Mm, on that note. I have another question.

How do you know or find out what temperature is best for drinking a particular beer? Is there an industry code on the bottles or do you have to just go by experience/shared knowledge?

[James Deuce]

http://www.europeanbeerguide.net/beertemp.htm

[Mekk]

Cheers !

[Mekk]

That was a bloody good read actually. I always thought there was something slightly off when ordering a stout that was very cold. Especially chocolate stouts, the very name to me contradicts the temperature at which it's normally served...

[Swoop]

...and am glad part of the beer-tasting process is swallowing it as opposed to wine-tasting...
Correct. But quantity can become an issue - refer to MOTU's post above...

The issue here is the appendix organ. This organ is designed to retain diced carrots and (to a lesser extent) corn. My research has proven that the retention organ will release its contents once the quantity of (in this case) beer has become sufficient to trigger its "release" mechanism.

Best of luck with tonights celebrations!:yes:

[No FX]

Everyone here must try La Trappe "Quadrupel" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Koningshoeven_Brewery)
It's simply astounding.
It's 10%.
Full, heady, strong stuff, yet mellow and mild too. It's almost like a wine, but still beer. Made by monks in the Netherlands.
It's at your local supermarket and really is worth a try.
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/1/1b/150px-3_la_trappe.jpg

Amen to that! a very thick, full bodied beer with a strong flavour- you can feel the heat of it going down the back of your throat like a wine:apint:

[Scouse]

The 2007 beer fest was an excuse for a piss fest no snootyness It got shut down early by the Police because there were too many pissed louts making trouble

[Gubb]

After numerous personal studies conducted late into the night into the early hours - it seems beer of all kinds seem to go with carrots....even if you haven't eaten a carrot for a week,the evidence is at your feet.

Believe it or not, chances are, it's not carrot, but small parts of your stomach lining.

[Slingshot]

The beers that I like at the moment in no particular order are:

Macs Brewjolais (when you can get it)
Leffe Brune
Invercargill Wasp
Black Mac

And I'm dieing to try a Moa, might order a case in for my birthday. Has anyone had it? I'd be interested in a review.

[Hitcher]

Tuatara FTW! The Pilsner is magnificent, and so too is their India Pale Ale. Sup the latter and you'll never be tempted to partake of Mr Tui's flaccid urine ever again. I promise you.

Beer threads rock!

[Mekk]

Tuatara FTW! The Pilsner is magnificent, and so too is their India Pale Ale. Sup the latter and you'll never be tempted to partake of Mr Tui's flaccid urine ever again. I promise you.

Beer threads rock!

Haha, I've beaten that temptation for quite some time now...

The Tuatara tent looks to be quite the popular one. I'll have to get in early methinks.

[NZsarge]

Meh...I'm off to get me a Heineken outta da fridge...:apint:

[Conquiztador]

Tuatara is sensational, but i'm all about red beers at the moment. (Mmmmm. Sassy Red) and the occasional Hoegaarden.

Surely no biker male would be seen live (or dead) holding a beer called "Sassy Red"...

[Gubb]

Surely no biker male would be seen live (or dead) holding a beer called "Sassy Red"...

Why not, are you so insecure in your sexuality that you question it over a beer?

[Mekk]

I picked up some 'teiths Black last night and let it warm up for a bit out of the fridge before drinking...and it was magnificent! I remember when I first tried a stout it was of a similar temperature and I always felt disappointed afterwards when buying it in bottles and drinking it freezing cold.

The difference in taste is very distinctive, I think. That or it could be all in my head...either way, I'm doing it again.

[Conquiztador]

Why not, are you so insecure in your sexuality that you question it over a beer?

I just don't think it would go with my pink handbag very well.

[sAsLEX]

I just don't think it would go with my pink handbag very well.

but its quite nice this sassy red

couldnt find Tuatara or whatever at the supermarket

[sparky10]

:niceone::beer::drinkup:
Everyone here must try La Trappe "Quadrupel" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Koningshoeven_Brewery)
It's simply astounding.
It's 10%.
Full, heady, strong stuff, yet mellow and mild too. It's almost like a wine, but still beer. Made by monks in the Netherlands.
It's at your local supermarket and really is worth a try.
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/1/1b/150px-3_la_trappe.jpg
Just what i was going to reccommend, La Trappe have 4 brilliant beers for different tastes, and brewed by belgian monks, all get 10/10 from me.
Down here we have Emersons and McDuffs boutique brewreys aswell they have won awards too:drinkup::first::beer:

[Usarka]

Jf you're in aucks also try heading out to Hallertau near riverhead for something a bit different. They brew their own and also have a good selection in the fridge!

http://www.hallertau.co.nz/index.php?page=on_tap

Check out the bottled beer list! :drool:

http://www.hallertau.co.nz/index.php?page=nz_beer_list

[RiderInBlack]

Me, I love ta get distunct on Speight's Distinction but what I really like is a good German Beer like Erdinger.
Funny found this old KB thread re: beer trying ta remember how ta spell Erdinger:innocent:

Mmmmm!!!! Beeeeeeerrrrrrr! (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=22566&highlight=Pizza+Barn+German)

[Mekk]

I quite like Speights Distinction but I feel that there's much more room for improvement out there.

Might give this La Trappe a shot...

[Flatcap]

I choose a beer depending on my mood and thirst at the time:

Steiny Pure after mowing the lawn - a good thirst quencher
Guinness for a mid winter pick-me-up
Mac's Brewjolais for the full bitter flavour


And anthing else that is new and unusual...

[Mekk]

I choose a beer depending on my mood and thirst at the time:

Steiny Pure after mowing the lawn - a good thirst quencher
Guinness for a mid winter pick-me-up
Mac's Brewjolais for the full bitter flavour


And anthing else that is new and unusual...

Yeah I was reading somewhere recently that kiwis seem to be slowly getting it that different beers compliment different foods.

It really makes the difference for me. The marinated-in-ale steak I had at the Speight's Ale House in Wanaka went so well with Old Dark. I'm just about salivating thinking about it.

There's a point of interest too...does anyone know it the Beer Festival have food to go with beers or just stalls of hotdogs etc?

[vifferman]

And I'm dieing to try a Moa, might order a case in for my birthday.
I tried it a couple of years ago when we came across it while tasting some fine wines at Allan Scott's vineyard in Marlborough.
I must say, I was a tad disappointed. Maybe I expected too much.

[flyingscotsman]

Talking of Tuatara, they hold the Reikorangi Beerfest which features the fine products from Tuatara Brewery :apint: I think that the 2007 one was sometime in March in the Reikorangi Hall. Previous ones have been held in a woolshed on a local farm. They are always well supported and had great food and live music too. Must get some tickets for this year's event.

[flyingscotsman]

For those of you who asked about keeping the beer cool - check this out
http://www.asciimation.co.nz/beer/

[Conquiztador]

For those of you who asked about keeping the beer cool - check this out
http://www.asciimation.co.nz/beer/

Lol. What a gem. bling.

[MisterD]

Yeah I was reading somewhere recently that kiwis seem to be slowly getting it that different beers compliment different foods.


Sponsoring that competition is the one good thing that Monteith's have done since they've been DB-ised...

I can definitely say I've noticed a difernce in the four years I've been here, when I arrived it is was the-land-that-CAMRA-forgot...now we're starting to move in the right direction but I still pine for the beers at home. Big "ups" to Springlands supermarket in Blenheim though for their unexpectedly fantastic beer selection - Jennings Cocker Hoop in provincial NZ wa-hey!

Oh, and my #1 Xmas holiday acheivement? MasterD (21 months old) now calls any beer bottle "Speights" :laugh:

[Mekk]

I just had a quick browse on the foodtown website for La Trappe and they don't seem to have it. Can anyone give me a specific supermarket or liquor store where this is sold?

[Bikernereid]

Oh dear God NOOOOOOOO!!!! Bitter etc should always be at room temp it enhances the flavour. Only the bloody yanks serve it cold and in a glass taken from the freezer, brain dead morons.


That was a bloody good read actually. I always thought there was something slightly off when ordering a stout that was very cold. Especially chocolate stouts, the very name to me contradicts the temperature at which it's normally served...

[Bikernereid]

there is a Belgian beer bar up Mission Bay Way called the Belgian Beer Cafe (yes very original). They do not sell this particular beer but they do sell very similar ones and they have an ok selection of Blanche and fruit beers. Worth a ride out there.


I just had a quick browse on the foodtown website for La Trappe and they don't seem to have it. Can anyone give me a specific supermarket or liquor store where this is sold?

[Mekk]

there is a Belgian beer bar up Mission Bay Way called the Belgian Beer Cafe (yes very original). They do not sell this particular beer but they do sell very similar ones and they have an ok selection of Blanche and fruit beers. Worth a ride out there.

Thanks but I'd prefer to avoid that area if I could, I'm not a fan of the idiots that flock out that way.

Do you know of any closer to central or out the other way?

[Bikernereid]

Sorry I am not from NZ just know about Belgian beers. I would have thought that the Begian Beer Cafe might be able to point you in the right direction for buying it. I saw some in a wine store near The Living Room in Herne Bay/Ponsonby but was a bit squiffy so can't tell you the exact beers they sold. But they were Belgian. Hope this helps.


Thanks but I'd prefer to avoid that area if I could, I'm not a fan of the idiots that flock out that way.

Do you know of any closer to central or out the other way?

[jrandom]

There are several Belgian Beer Cafes in Auckland.

Blankenberge in Takapuna, The Occidental in Vulcan Lane, De Post in Mt Eden and De Fontein in Mission Bay.

[Bikernereid]

Hence me saying Mission Bay earlier.


There are several Belgian Beer Cafes in Auckland.

Blankenberge in Takapuna, The Occidental in Vulcan Lane, De Post in Mt Eden and De Fontein in Mission Bay.

[jrandom]

For those of you who asked about keeping the beer cool - check this out
http://www.asciimation.co.nz/beer/

Simon's an old acquaintance and ex-colleague of mine. Oddly enough, he also lived next door to my parents for a couple of years (yes, that's where the shed containing the jet-engine-powered beer cooler resides).

I have gazed upon the beer cooler in person, and can attest that it is cool, in all senses of the word.

:p

Edit: Simon is also the gentleman who introduced me, and via me, Mr Skid et al, to the joys of Galbraiths, the best pub in Auckland.

:niceone:

[SPman]

There are several Belgian Beer Cafes in Auckland.

Blankenberge in Takapuna, The Occidental in Vulcan Lane, De Post in Mt Eden and De Fontein in Mission Bay.
And all of them crap!
With crap beer!
Bloody Belgian muck - why don't they stick to things they are good at - like the EU!

[Bikernereid]

You are obviously not european. If you want to dis the beer fine but at least give em credit for the bloody organsmic chocolate them make!!

And I worked for the EU and Belgium sure don't run it!!


And all of them crap!
With crap beer!
Bloody Belgian muck - why don't they stick to things they are good at - like the EU!

[jrandom]

Bloody Belgian muck - why don't they stick to things they are good at - like the EU!

And making clothes for bicycling in.

(I have some very nice Vermarc kit that probably doesn't fit me anymore.)

[jrandom]

You are obviously not european.

Very astute of you.

He is, in fact, a darky of the worst sort.

<img src="http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/npastula/you-gonna-get-raped.jpg"/>

[SPman]

You are obviously not european. If you want to dis the beer fine but at least give em credit for the bloody organsmic chocolate them make!!

And I worked for the EU and Belgium sure don't run it!!

Organsmic?

Yeah - ok - the chocolate ain't bad.

Just keep everything Belgian (apart from the chocolate) in Brussels.


(people will start saying the French make good beer next...........)

[Bikernereid]

So what is wrong with anything Belgian?

No the French produce sexy men, good wine, excellent cheese (if you like cheese), fantastic music to mention but a few. Not that I am biased or anything.


Organsmic?

Yeah - ok - the chocolate ain't bad.

Just keep everything Belgian (apart from the chocolate) in Brussels.


(people will start saying the French make good beer next...........)

[Steam]

I just had a quick browse on the foodtown website for La Trappe and they don't seem to have it. Can anyone give me a specific supermarket or liquor store where this is sold?

New World has it. They have the best beer department of any supermarket in NZ. New World in Dunedin and Chch and Wellington, don't know about Auckland.

[Usarka]

Brussells is the boringest city on the planet. Other parts of belguim are good craic tho.

Stella is the lion-red equivalent in belguim and it's use should be confined to practical jokes where you need to pretend something is a puddle of piss.

Plus the fact that we dont even follow the original recipe in this country - wtf is that all about????

A good tip for belguim, sneak some good grass in from the 'dam and ho-down on the chocolates when the munchies strike..... :innocent:

[vifferman]

Stella is the lion-red equivalent in belguim and it's use should be confined to practical jokes where you need to pretend something is a puddle of piss.

Plus the fact that we dont even follow the original recipe in this country - wtf is that all about????
This is what I reckon it's all about.
The two main breweries are eventually going to make every beer in the world under licence, and so eventually all the beer in Noo Zilund will taste the same. Then they'll scrap all the breweries and make only one beer, with a multitude of different labels (Heinekin, Steinlager, Stella, Speights, Macs, Monteiths, etc etc). And all the beer drinkers will say that the beer they prefer is The Best, and they'll all simultaneously be right AND wrong, and it'll all be weasel piss.
And The Brewery shareholders will be even more fantastically wealthy than they are now.
And Alan Clerkclark (or whomsoever is the current NooZilundFuckerUpperer) will be very happy, because we won't have to import any of "that furrin stuff" any more.
The End.

[SPman]

So what is wrong with anything Belgian?

No the French produce sexy men, good wine, excellent cheese (if you like cheese), fantastic music to mention but a few. Not that I am biased or anything.

But.....

.....they're FRENCH !

[SPman]

This is what I reckon it's all about.
The two main breweries are eventually going to make every beer in the world under licence, and so eventually all the beer in Noo Zilund will taste the same. Then they'll scrap all the breweries and make only one beer, with a multitude of different labels (Heinekin, Steinlager, Stella, Speights, Macs, Monteiths, etc etc). And all the beer drinkers will say that the beer they prefer is The Best, and they'll all simultaneously be right AND wrong, and it'll all be weasel piss.
And The Brewery shareholders will be even more fantastically wealthy than they are now.
And Alan Clerkclark (or whomsoever is the current NooZilundFuckerUpperer) will be very happy, because we won't have to import any of "that furrin stuff" any more.
The End.
I make my own these days...
Well - it makes for interesting drinking, and even the worst is better than the majority of whats on offer down the local bottle'o.

[Slingshot]

I make my own these days...
Well - it makes for interesting drinking, and even the worst is better than the majority of whats on offer down the local bottle'o.

Agreed. Nothing like a good homebrew.

Just bottled a batch that's been in the barrel for 7 months today. I have been to lazy to get off my arse and sterlise two and a half dozen bottles. Will be interesting to see how it turns out. Was very, very clear once bottled.

[Steam]

Ooh homebrew! I am so tempted to start brewing again. I have to have two brewing barrels though, as I drink too fast for just one.
Drink one, keep the other...

[Bikernereid]

Being of French extraction I am mortally offended, next you will diss the Italians n really p me off!! :bleh:


But.....

.....they're FRENCH !

[Mekk]

Ugh, conspiracy theories.

Cheers, Steam. There's a New World not too far from here, I'll give it a go.

[SPman]

Being of French extraction I am mortally offended, next you will diss the Italians n really p me off!! :bleh:

My sons are called Enzo & Bruno...............and the Eyeties do a good brew.

I think I'm Norse extraction, via Yorkshire.........

[MisterD]

I just had a quick browse on the foodtown website for La Trappe and they don't seem to have it. Can anyone give me a specific supermarket or liquor store where this is sold?

You could try that place just over the lines from Ellerslie Station on Kalmia St - forget what's it's called now but has a good selection of Belgian beer

[Mekk]

Cheers, I'll give it a shot.

[Lias]

My favourite drop atm: Hoegaarden

Also currently residing in teh beer fridge are Corona & Kingfisher. And an ungodly amount of bourbon.

[Bikernereid]

You poor bastard, you have my sympathies. Must be missin them whippets, pigeons and flat caps over here!!


My sons are called Enzo & Bruno...............and the Eyeties do a good brew.

I think I'm Norse extraction, via Yorkshire.........

[Mikkel]

Beer is awesome!!!

I personally prefer ales to lagers, but have an open mind.

As with everything else you get what you pay for and quality is worth it! :niceone:

[SPman]

You poor bastard, you have my sympathies. Must be missin them whippets, pigeons and flat caps over here!!
Thank god there's a 150 yr seperation......

[vifferman]

New World has it. They have the best beer department of any supermarket in NZ. New World in Dunedin and Chch and Wellington, don't know about Auckland.
Yes, the D'Auckland New World has it too - just bought a gift pack from the Birkenhead branch - comes with a range of the La Trappe brews and a glass, for $16 and some shekels. A bit expensive, but so's petrol! Plus, unlike petrol, it comes in a packet with a Blurb, and instructions. Had a quick squizz, and it seems most of their brews like to be between 9 and 14 degrees. :eek:
Oh - and they had these nifty 500ml(?) pottery(?) bottles with corks in too, for $9.95 or somesuch. I balked at the price, but the vifferbabe went, "Ooh! That's a nice bottle!" and was all set to stick one in the trolley!

[Hitcher]

Aucklanders and beer. What's that all about? My experience of Aucklanders and beer can be summed up in one word. Rheineck.

Aucklanders and coffee. What's that all about? My experience of Aucklanders and coffee can be summed up in one word. Starbucks.

[vifferman]

Aucklanders and beer. What's that all about? My experience of Aucklanders and beer can be summed up in one word. Rheineck.

Aucklanders and coffee. What's that all about? My experience of Aucklanders and coffee can be summed up in one word. Starbucks.
Sheesh, Hitcher - I never expected you to be so uninformed or so careless with the checking of facts. Or are you preparing material for your comedy routine? :spudwhat:
If so, you need to spend more time on research.

Unless when you used the term "Aucklanders" you were referring to the Great Unwashed D'Auckland Masses, the HoiPolloi, the Rabble. :blank:

Coffee for me (as a temporary D'Aucklander) means Altura, Zigano, Matakana Coffee Blenders, or Atomic. All good, but I must admit not quite up to the standards of your own Cafe L'affare.

Beer could be any of the aforementioned boutique breweries, but never the appropriately cheap Rheineck. :oi-grr:

[Hitcher]

Sheesh, Hitcher - I never expected you to be so uninformed or so careless with the checking of facts. Or are you preparing material for your comedy routine?

42 minutes. Not bad for a Monday, I suppose...

[vifferman]

42 minutes. Not bad for a Monday, I suppose...
Sorry I was so slow.
I may have actually been busy elsewhere. :blank:

[MisterD]

Aucklanders and beer. What's that all about? My experience of Aucklanders and beer can be summed up in one word. Rheineck.

Aucklanders and coffee. What's that all about? My experience of Aucklanders and coffee can be summed up in one word. Starbucks.

I've never met an Aucklander, and I've lived here for four years...

[warewolf]

Aucklanders and beer. What's that all about? My experience of Aucklanders and beer can be summed up in one word. Rheineck.

Aucklanders and coffee. What's that all about? My experience of Aucklanders and coffee can be summed up in one word. Starbucks.
You are *SO* inexperienced...

[warewolf]

If you like your beer you need to get down here. We have maybe 6 or so beer fêtes each year; two organisations that run them are Dead Good Beer Events (http://www.deadgoodbeerevents.com/) and Hops and Glory (http://www.hopsandglory.co.nz/). Fantastic events, the beer is at realistic prices and the brewers are usually there to pour it and talk to you. The yobs don't turn up, they don't have a discriminating... anything, really.

And another great thing about Nelson is being able to scoot down to the brewery and get a 2L rigger filled for around $10 - same price as supermarket-special mass-produced slops. And if the brewery is closed, the late-night dairy has some taps! :niceone:

There are quite a few outstanding "local" breweries: Founders (http://www.biobrew.co.nz/), Lighthouse, Tasman (son of Christchurch-based Harringtons (http://www.harringtonsbrewery.co.nz/) now gone independent), Townshends (http://www.townshendbrewery.co.nz/), Bays (http://baysbrewery.co.nz/), Mussel Inn (http://www.musselinn.co.nz/), Renaissance (http://www.renaissancebrewing.co.nz/), just to name a few. Slightly further afield are the West Coast (http://www.westcoastbrewing.com/) (formerly Miners), Emersons (http://www.emersons.co.nz/), Harringtons (http://www.harringtonsbrewery.co.nz/), etc etc etc. None of them brew a bad 'un.

If you are North Island based, the Cock & Bull (http://www.cockandbull.co.nz/) do some great beers. Galbraith's is good but there's only one of them and didn't think they packaged their product. Oh, and Limburg (http://www.limburg.co.nz/) do good work.

Then there's that mob in Wanaka (http://www.wanakabeerworks.co.nz/)... better stop now.

[Bikernereid]

Your Yorkshire heritage, it is always with you like a dark shadow. See being from Lincolnshire I am proud as punch cos it aint Yorkshire!!


Thank god there's a 150 yr seperation......

[pritch]

The two main breweries are eventually going to make every beer in the world under licence, and so eventually all the beer in Noo Zilund will taste the same. Then they'll scrap all the breweries and make only one beer, with a multitude of different labels (Heinekin, Steinlager, Stella, Speights, Macs, Monteiths, etc etc).


Sadly that is far too close to the truth for comfort.

[warewolf]

Plus the fact that we dont even follow the original recipe in this country - wtf is that all about????It's about compensating for local tastes, and habits eg temperature served. Dropping the temperature suppresses many flavours - ever drunk Coke warm? - which is why crappy swilling beers for the masses are served cool and tasty ales are served warmer. Alcohol is a "hot" flavour, so changing the alcohol level changes the taste. Generally as the alcohol level goes up, all the other flavours have to get bigger and bolder to balance it. The Chinese like their beer very sweet, so Rheineck and Steinlager brewed there was to an "export" recipe that was much sweeter than what we get. etc etc.

Guinness has 6 export recipes used in various markets. Only a few years ago (7 or 8) we swapped from one of the export recipes to the original; a big contributor to that was the large number of people drinking it here that have tasted (and wanted) the original.

And don't forget that beer doesn't travel very well - particularly across the equator. Stella was often "off" and tasted disgusting when it was imported. The stuff brewed here is fresh and fantastic in comparison. Ditto Steinlager in Australia; never touched the stuff it was awful. Here it is drinkable, and wonderful out of the tap at the brewery bar because it was fresh.

Beer is HIGHLY sensitive to light and heat.

[MisterD]

Your Yorkshire heritage, it is always with you like a dark shadow. See being from Lincolnshire I am proud as punch cos it aint Yorkshire!!

Worst f-ing thing they ever did was to lump some of your lot in with the good people of the East Riding and call it "Humberside".

Dunno what you've got to be proud of - one bloody Cathedral and Skegness. What's Lincolnshire contributed to the world of beer?

Yorkshire has given us John Smiths, Sam Smiths, Theakstons, Tetley, Timothy Taylors, Stones...shall I go on?

[warewolf]

The two main breweries are eventually going to make every beer in the world under licence, and so eventually all the beer in Noo Zilund will taste the same. Then they'll scrap all the breweries and make only one beer, with a multitude of different labels (Heinekin, Steinlager, Stella, Speights, Macs, Monteiths, etc etc). And all the beer drinkers will say that the beer they prefer is The Best, and they'll all simultaneously be right AND wrong, and it'll all be weasel piss.Part of that already happens, part of it will never happen.

Mainstream beer drinkers are extremely parochial - as you may have unwittingly alluded to. A Cantabrian wouldn't be seen dead drinking Lion Red, would decry it as tasting funny, yet the biggest difference is purely marketing and packaging; the brewing recipe is 99% identical. Ditto Speights (Gold Medal Ale) although it is slightly further apart in taste than the other two. Sydney's Toohey's New is very similar, too. Same for the stuff they brew in Adelaide and Perth.

But the breweries won't make all the beers taste the same. There is more profit in nicer beers, and it's competing against wine in many, many respects, such as flavour, marketing and profit!

There will always be the local boutique beers, although the ones that really have their shit together will be bought out by the bigger ones, just like Macs and Monteiths. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. The big corporates have usually got better quality control and distribution systems. Both of those brands have gone mainstream national since being swallowed up (just like Speights).

Plus the big guys use the boutiques they've bought as test & development platforms.

[vifferman]

Tonight'll prolly be the tasting of the beers from those Trappist Monks Wot Live In the Netherlands (the von Trapp family? :confused:)
I read the details on the flash carton last night - it seems these nales range in alcohol from 7-10% ! But the alarming thing is they need to be served at around 10-14 degrees. As I don't have a cellar (well... I did, till #2 decided to stuff his hot'n-noisy server box in there :spanking:), how does your average punter achieve this? I decided that taking it out of the fridge a while before drinking it would do. In any case, the fancy glasses look like they'd allow the beer to get warm'n'flat pretty rapidly :blank:

I'll report back tomorrow...

[Usarka]

It's about compensating for local tastes, and habits eg temperature served.

Which doesn't help those who think the mass produced beer in this country tastes like the plaque scrapped from grandmas false teeth.

[warewolf]

Which doesn't help those who think the mass produced beer in this country tastes like the plaque scrapped from grandmas false teeth.It doesn't mean that every furrin beer brewed locally will taste like DB Export. The recipe is tweaked a little, is all. May not necessarily be tweaked for the mainstream swillers, either.

[warewolf]

But the alarming thing is they need to be served at around 10-14 degrees. As I don't have a cellar (well... I did, till #2 decided to stuff his hot'n-noisy server box in there :spanking:), how does your average punter achieve this? I decided that taking it out of the fridge a while before drinking it would do. In any case, the fancy glasses look like they'd allow the beer to get warm'n'flat pretty rapidlyEither let it warm up after storing in the fridge, or store in a cool, dark place. Internal cupboard is good, not somewhere that gets the sun for part of the day.

Beer glasses need to be squeaky clean; oils and detergent kills the head. If you must wash them in detergent, be sure to rinse with lots of hot water. Or wash them only in the brewers detergent used to wash your homebrew bottles.

Tasty beer should be served in slightly balloon-shaped glasses to concentrate the aromas, just like a wine glass. At the extreme end, the Belgian Abbey-style ales up near 10% should be served in a glass that resembles a brandy balloon. And you drink it in a similar manner, cupping the balloon to warm the brew as you savour it. Galbraith's used to brew one of those, (won awards (http://www.realbeer.co.nz/nz_breweries/breweries/galbraiths/)) two glasses of it and I was anyones! Cock and Bull do one called "Monks Habit".

[vifferman]

Beer glasses need to be squeaky clean; oils and detergent kills the head. If you must wash them in detergent, be sure to rinse with lots of hot water.
Already did that. The detergent also imparts a nasty bitter flavour to wines'n'beers.


Tasty beer should be served in slightly balloon-shaped glasses to concentrate the aromas, just like a wine glass.
The glass that came with the gift pack (now "the 2 glasses", as I bought another pack so my son could sample the nales with me), are weird, like flattened brandy balloons. Most 'proper' beer glasses I've seen/used are like a slightly oversized wineglass with a fatter, shorter stem. These look like someone sat on them as they were still cooling, or a miniature, gold-rimmed glass birdbath. Not very good for either 'nose' or for preserving the bubbles. Not much good for tossing back either - most of the beer would end up in your ears. :doh:

[MisterD]

Tasty beer should be served in slightly balloon-shaped glasses to concentrate the aromas, just like a wine glass.

Rubbish - it should be served in a dimpled pot, with the handle positioned as a knuckle-duster. :beer:

[Mekk]

Tasty beer should be served in slightly balloon-shaped glasses to concentrate the aromas, just like a wine glass.

Yeah, I've had a couple of stouts in snifters, they're magnificent!

[vifferman]

Rubbish - it should be served in a dimpled pot, with the handle positioned as a knuckle-duster. :beer:
Huh.
I've actually used a 'pot' as a weapon, although I held the handle and used the other bit as the knuckleduster. Made for a very quick end to the fight. Luckily, the beer was shit, so the spillage didn't matter.

[MisterD]

Huh.
I've actually used a 'pot' as a weapon, although I held the handle and used the other bit as the knuckleduster. Made for a very quick end to the fight. Luckily, the beer was shit, so the spillage didn't matter.

I thought bar-fight etiquette was that pots were thown, but only after the table had been tipped over?

[warewolf]

These look like someone sat on them as they were still cooling, or a miniature, gold-rimmed glass birdbath. Not very good for either 'nose' or for preserving the bubbles. Not much good for tossing back either - most of the beer would end up in your ears. :doh:Sounds like champagne coupes (http://www.snopes.com/business/origins/champagne.asp). Note the closing comments in that article! :D

[SPman]

But the alarming thing is they need to be served at around 10-14 degrees.Fahrenheit??????

Tasty beer should be served in slightly balloon-shaped glasses to concentrate the aromas, just like a wine glass.Whats wrong with straight from the bottle.....:shifty:

Gawd - people aren't going all wine poseur on us, are they.......the stuffs for drinking, not sniffing.
Funny thing is, all those I've thought smelt a bit dodgy at bottling, have turned out great, whilst, those that smelt great at bottle time, have left something to be desired, in the tasting stakes.......

I've got a Muntons Yorkshire Bitter to make up - should be interesting.
Current favourite in this 45deg heat is Mexican style Cerveza with just a touch of lime in it, while I try and get me Pale Ale attempts closer to Little Creatures Pale Ale.

[tri boy]

Which doesn't help those who think the mass produced beer in this country tastes like the plaque scrapped from grandmas false teeth.

I have warned the Blue Rinse set about you!,

Dog Bolter. WA
King Fisher. Continent
Carlton Cold. Aus (great on a summers day).

Stout is for old ladies and cross dressers.

[vifferman]

Hokay.
I've decided those von Trapp Family brewerss are very clever evil little monks. Crazy Pete (666) and I sampled a "Dubbel" each tonight.
My word!

Firstly, I now see the light (reddish amber coloured light it is too): the beer doesn't work in a wineglass-shaped glass. In its warmed state, it froths like phark, even decanted gently. :o But it is happy in the flattyweirdyballoonythinguies.

Secondly, the aforementioned monkeys have cunningly labeled their beer at about a third of the alcohol (hic!) content it actually is. I sipped and savoured it very slowly, but was feeling mellow at the "25 cl" tidemark and decidedly pissed by the end of the glass. :eek:
7% my arse!

Thirdly, y'know how by the time you get near the dredges, the beer doesn't taste as good as the first sip? Well, that's not the case with the Trappist nales. They must have special drugs in them, because they test better the more you drink, yea, even unto the uttermost dregs!
I think your average swill doesn't benefit from getting warm and/or less bubbly, but that's irrelevent with these chaspses.
A Mazing!

Fourthly, the Crazy Pete (666) and I have decided that the ales after the next ones will have to be prepared for. We will need to get some serving wenches, for when our limbs stop working, and we will need to be in a reclining position, so we can't fall down. Ten percent? Well, that'll be THIRTY percent, if my beermaths is accurate. We'll be giggly after one sip, pissed by the twentyfivecentilliter mark, and comatose in the dregs.
Bring it on! :cool:

Oh - and did I mention how amazingly nice this REAL beer tastes?

[Mekk]

It has been difficult to keep my beer in a dark, cool place with the weather lately. It seems some days the only way is to wait until the sun dies, buy it then and leave it out for a bit before drinking.

I'm all about warming it up to release the flavours (with stouts, old ales etc) but this heat is making it far too warm in some cases. Will have to watch it.

In other news, walking down Queen Street is almost unbearable. I stopped in at Brooklyn to grab a Pilsner on my way back up to K'Rd. Since becoming "aware" of having different beers at different times, I can report that a light, refreshing cold one from the tap is absolute heaven in this sticky heat.

Do try it if you're caught out in town, it's most rewarding.

[madandy]

This thread has made me very thirsty!
I do beleive I shall head out after lunch and find me one of the aforementioned ales, sit down and give it a try :)

[warewolf]

Oh - and did I mention how amazingly nice this REAL beer tastes?Good stuff!!! :clap:

[warewolf]

I'm all about warming it up to release the flavours (with stouts, old ales etc) but this heat is making it far too warm in some cases. Will have to watch it.

In other news, walking down Queen Street is almost unbearable. I stopped in at Brooklyn to grab a Pilsner on my way back up to K'Rd. Since becoming "aware" of having different beers at different times, I can report that a light, refreshing cold one from the tap is absolute heaven in this sticky heat.Ales are made with more flavour, designed to be enjoyed while sitting in front of the fire.

Lagers are designed to be refreshing. More bubbles, less flavour, colder temperate served, etc. Great on a hot day.

Yes, beer (like food) is seasonal. You will have noticed the likes of Monteiths and Macs releasing summer & winter seasonal ales.

[Hitcher]

The difference between "ales" and "lagers" is largely due to the yeasts. Ales are bottom fermented, lagers are top fermented.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brewing

[vifferman]

Good stuff!!! :clap:
Yee...s.s..ss.... mebbe.
Even though I was moderately sedated, I suddenly (well... eventually) had an epiphany. So I said to CrazyPete(666), "Ah...crap! D'ya see the big problem with these nales we've been enjoying, Pete? Huh? Do ya?"
Pete cocked his head to one side, thought hardly, his eyes lit up, and he replied, "Nuh."
"Cmon - think pete, think!"
*gears whir, eyes roll, nothing pops out*
Well, they're real nice, right?"
"Yup. Especially this one. I like this one! It's my favouritist!" (This is our second ale sampled :rolleyes:)
"Uh huh. And what happens when we finish 'testing' them?"
"We get some more?"
"And...?"
"Uh... dunno. I don't see where this is going..."
"We get some more. From...??"
"Oh." :pinch:
"I spoze we could just buy up all the sampler packs, but that would be a bit silly, even given that they're more economonomonical than your normal beer, on account of the mind-numbingly effectiveness of the EvilMonks' secret recipe."
"We're doomed! Dooooomed, I tellsya! Whose crazy idea was this beer testing, anyway?!?"

[Mekk]

The difference between "ales" and "lagers" is largely due to the yeasts. Ales are bottom fermented, lagers are top fermented.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brewing

Sir, you are mistaken. It is the other way around as the link mentions.

[Hitcher]

Sir, you are mistaken. It is the other way around as the link mentions.

Thank you. I have been taken out and shot.

[warewolf]

The difference between "ales" and "lagers" I meant in common usage/styles, but thanks for the point.

I hope after being shot, someone takes pity on you and shouts you a nice lager... no, ale... no, wait, which one was it agaiN??

[Hitcher]

no, wait, which one was it agaiN??

I'll drink anything as long as it's free. And cold.

[James Deuce]

Sir, you are mistaken. It is the other way around as the link mentions.

It also depends on whether it is a dirt bottomed vat or a modern vat.

I'll think you'll find Dark Ales come from the layer just above the Stouts in a dirt bottomed vat.

[Mekk]

It also depends on whether it is a dirt bottomed vat or a modern vat.

I'll think you'll find Dark Ales come from the layer just above the Stouts in a dirt bottomed vat.

I do remember reading about that somewhere. The dirt bottomed ones being what the English call "real ale", is that right or am I thinking of something else?

[vifferman]

Whelp, I (well "we" - CrazyPete had one too) tried the Trappiest "Trippel" last night. It was very nice, but I think the "Dubbel" was more interesting.
Next up is the "Quadruppel" (or whatever it's called): this one claims to have been cellar-aged, and at 30% (on the real alcomohol measure, not the 10% on the label) will be "very interesting". :confused:

One thing we noticed - ALL these nales are very 'creamy', which we deduced might be due to the fact they appear to be naturally carbonated, resulting in smaller, finer bubbles (and a thicker head as a result). Makes them very pleasurable in the mouth. :yes:

[warewolf]

Dude, I think you have truly crossed that line from 'swiller' to 'connoisseur' :clap:

[Usarka]

Go to a real belgian bar, and try to drink as many different beers as you can. I think i made it to seven before wandering to the hostel and throwing up in someone elses shoes.....

[MisterD]

Go to a real belgian bar, and try to drink as many different beers as you can. I think i made it to seven before wandering to the hostel and throwing up in someone elses shoes.....

Yeah, they're not made for Kiwi-style binge drinking...on the other hand, I found them perfect for the kind of session where you take it easy and ride that perfect wave of inebriation that banishes tiredness and sees you kick out of a bar at 6am 'cos the owner want to go home to bed...ah the beery Antwerp weekenders with the Tranmere and Royal Antwerp boys...

[warewolf]

Now what? From where am I going to get more MORE!! :pinch:Cock & Bull's Fuggles is pretty good for everyday drinking.

[Mekk]

Can anyone give me a rough idea of the costs involved with home brewing?

My flatmate and I are very interested in giving this a go.

[kevfromcoro]

Can anyone give me a rough idea of the costs involved with home brewing?

My flatmate and I are very interested in giving this a go.

i have been homebrewing for yrs.cost about $12 to make 23ltrs..
got sick of bottling it..washing bottles takes a lot of time..i use a 50ltr fermenter and put it in a keg..charge it up with food grade co2.
the whole lot cost about $200 to set up.
there are ways of chilling the beer....put the keg in an old fridge,,or run the tap line through a bucket of ice.
only thing... u will allways have beer on tap.
drinking it now......5am
pm me if u want some tips
good luck

[RiderInBlack]

Everyone here must try La Trappe "Quadrupel" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Koningshoeven_Brewery)
It's simply astounding.
It's 10%.
Full, heady, strong stuff, yet mellow and mild too. It's almost like a wine, but still beer. Made by monks in the Netherlands.
It's at your local supermarket and really is worth a try.
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/1/1b/150px-3_la_trappe.jpgLuck me. Found La Trappe in Whangarei's Pac'N'Sav. So far I been lucky enough ta have try the:

La Trappe Dubbel (7% ABV)
La Trappe Tripel (8% ABV)Loved them both. Good kick ta the Tripel. Looking forward ta getting my greedy hands on the La Trappe "Quadrupel" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Koningshoeven_Brewery):msn-wink:

[warewolf]

The Nelson MCC Centenary races on 2nd & 4th Feb (http://www.nmcc.org.nz/photos.html) had the Tasman Brewery as a sponsor. It was sublime to cap off a couple of days awesome racing with a decent brew rather than be forced to drink pig-swill which is more the norm at such events.

As an added bonus, we spent 15 mins chatting with David (half owner/brewer) who was pouring the beers. They were pouring Fern Lager and I remarked that I really like the Finest Lager; he was on to that, out comes a rigger of Finest for us to sample, only available by special request, and gratis! He then went on to answer all my questions about their separation from the Christchurch Harringtons brewery; I'd heard lots but straight from the horses mouth is more reliable. The other partner is Craig Harrington, his father owns the CHC brewery. Turns out the brewing has never been connected except for some sharing of packaging and names, plus some cross-selling of product. This upset some CHCH Harringtons regulars who could taste the differences to the Nelson brews of the same name, amongst other issues. So when David bought in a few years ago they began the process of re-branding everything as non-Harringtons to stop the confusion.

I've been introducing the staff at my LBS to the local brews, so it was a great opportunity to bring them together. The brewery is open for tours and sampling, but after a personal invite from the brewer (not a rare thing by any means) it is hard not to visit now.

The other interesting thing we discussed is freshness & transport. He doesn't like packaging the beer at all as it just doesn't stay fresh enough. But due to customer demand for takeaways he has to do something. His plan is to go to cans, as it keeps the product fresher than in glass bottles. Interesting counter-point to the 'it tastes better in glass' argument. Although to be fair, pouring a can into a glass to drink would be a good thing.

[Usarka]

I've just discovered that Galbraiths do take away in a nice 2.25 litre flagon.

The Bellringer is particularly tasty, as is the Grafton Porter that is being supped right now.

There's always a good reason for resurrecting a beer thread. Speaking of which the next fill might be the Resurrection Ale :innocent:

[Gubb]

Just bought a dozen Speights Summit as my own little resignation present.

Seems like it's cashing in on the Steiny P bandwagon, but will report back later on tonight.

[Usarka]

Just bought a dozen Speights Summit as my own little resignation present.

Seems like it's cashing in on the Steiny P bandwagon, but will report back later on tonight.

The brewries may not realise, but what this whole "Pure" bandwagon is doing is telling us that the beer they have been selling us for the last 20 years has in fact been full of chemicals and preservatives.

But thats ok, trust us we now have this good stuff.......

[avgas]

any of u folks had 'drainlayers larger' provided by humes.
rubbish stuff really - but so refreshing after working a face for 10 hours.

[CookMySock]

anyone tried Mata Beer ? It's made just down the road from me.

http://www.mata.net.nz/


DB

[Gubb]

Just bought a dozen Speights Summit as my own little resignation present.

Seems like it's cashing in on the Steiny P bandwagon, but will report back later on tonight.

After sssschix of 'em, it's pales in comparison to Steiny P. Not noticeably different from normal Speights. The next second half tasted better for some reason.

[sAsLEX]

After sssschix of 'em, it's pales in comparison to Steiny P. Not noticeably different from normal Speights. The next second half tasted better for some reason.

One thung that is great about Pure is that there is no, well ok reduced, hangovers compared to the old shite.

[Gubb]

Aye, Steiny chemical hangovers aren't pleasant.

Two more to go, and i'll be dancing like this guy. ->:wari:

[jim.cox]

One thung that is great about Pure is that there is no, well ok reduced, hangovers compared to the old shite.


It might be pure - but its too sweet for me

Speights Summit is ok but I prefer their IPA

[Usarka]

Not a big fan of lagers recently, but just had a rather nice bottle of Force Premium NZ Lager, from Hawkes Bay Independent Brewery :drinkup:

A lot of lagers claim to be "european style", but this one is getting there. Nice full flavour without going silly overboard on the hops etc.

http://www.thefilterroom.co.nz/the_brewery/tasting_notes.htm

Looking forward to the next bottle, Pure All Malt Lager. Mmmmmmmmm Nice one HBIB!!!!! :D

[Hitcher]

It's Brewjolais season at Mac's Bar in Wellington.

A posse of devotees will be rounded up shortly for the Annual Pilgrimage.

[Brian d marge]

The brewries may not realise, but what this whole "Pure" bandwagon is doing is telling us that the beer they have been selling us for the last 20 years has in fact been full of chemicals and preservatives.

But thats ok, trust us we now have this good stuff.......

a bit longer than 20 year ... I mean lion brown ..........its has its place , v hot day , v cold sweet beer , yes , but as a beer ,,, :crybaby:

Lager is cheap to produce , cost nothing , and well you get the point ,,,

There is a beer I quite like there and that's Porter ale larger bottle a touch more expensive ,, but quite nice


Home brew can be nice if done well , ( try using a differing sugar )

Stephen

Who has a classic old dark on the go at the mo ,,,,

[Usarka]

It's Brewjolais season at Mac's Bar in Wellington.

Best sampled before a hearty feed at The Honest Lawer in Nelson. Mmmmm. Find that ferry!

BTW The Pure lager from HBIB is aptly named in comparison imho. Very tasty but my repeat money is on the Force Premium.

[want-a-harley]

I know of galbraiths but is there anywhere else in Auckland that does real ales?

Also anywhere in Auckland where you can get guiness that doesn't taste like shit?

[Usarka]

I know of galbraiths but is there anywhere else in Auckland that does real ales?

Also anywhere in Auckland where you can get guiness that doesn't taste like shit?

GB's is the only real ale I know of in Auckland. Delighted if anyone knows better....

And regards to the Guiness - the stuff brewed in NZ is pants compared to the real deal. Best bet is to look for the "Beer Master" sign that (supposedly) shows they take good care of their piss - these are usually a better drop.

[MisterD]

And regards to the Guiness - the stuff brewed in NZ is pants compared to the real deal. Best bet is to look for the "Beer Master" sign that (supposedly) shows they take good care of their piss - these are usually a better drop.

The best I've had in Auckland is actually that O'hagans place down on the Viaduct...as you say, not a patch on the Irish stuff but better than most I ever had in London. If you want decent Guiness, then the only place outside of Ireland to go is Liverpool (and even then stick to Flanagan's or the Irish Centre).

[Usarka]

The best I've had in Auckland is actually that O'hagans place down on the Viaduct....

Ti's one of the beer master places http://www.beermaster.co.nz/AccreditedOutlets.aspx :D :drinkup:

[peasea]

Ti's one of the beer master places http://www.beermaster.co.nz/AccreditedOutlets.aspx :D :drinkup:

There's a wee ale house in Upper Queen Street, Richmond, not Auckland, called the Sprig 'n' Fern. They do a darkie called Big John or something similar and it just rocks. Take a sober driver.

[warewolf]

Big John is a Harrington's (http://harringtonsbreweries.co.nz/products.html) beer, it's either a guest at the Sprig in Richmond, or one of many labels on the bar still lingering from the days the pub was Harringtons. Doesn't look like Tasman (http://sprigandfern.co.nz/thebeer.aspx) brew it; some of the beers behind the labels are Tasman equivalents or variants of the Harrington ones.

Awesome meaty beer, that.

[RiderInBlack]

Enjoying a bit of "Cock And Bull" (http://www.cockandbull.co.nz/) . Love their "Monks Habit":2thumbsup<TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%; HEIGHT: 60px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 border=0 orgBorder="0" orgBorderColor><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.cockandbull.co.nz/db/imagelibrary/Beer-SMALL-MonksHabit.jpg (http://www.cockandbull.co.nz/db/pages/a_standard.asp?aid=-1865464661)</TD><TD>Monks Habit
Abbey Ale
Consistently New Zealand's most awarded beer since 1997
Read more (http://www.cockandbull.co.nz/db/pages/a_standard.asp?aid=-1865464661)
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Have also enjoyed a good bere or to from "Hallertau" (http://www.hallertau.co.nz/index.php?page=home) in Riverhead. Good ta see some "Real" Beer being made in NZ:2thumbsup

[Laava]

Fuck, I knew you'ld be lurking in this thread Doug!!!:lol:

[Usarka]

Have also enjoyed a good bere or to from "Hallertau" (http://www.hallertau.co.nz/index.php?page=home) in Riverhead. Good ta see some "Real" Beer being made in NZ:2thumbsup
Oh yeah.

+1 for the 'tau. :D

Good selection of bottled beers from around the country as well as their own tasty selection on tap.

[peasea]

Big John is a Harrington's (http://harringtonsbreweries.co.nz/products.html) beer, it's either a guest at the Sprig in Richmond, or one of many labels on the bar still lingering from the days the pub was Harringtons. Doesn't look like Tasman (http://sprigandfern.co.nz/thebeer.aspx) brew it; some of the beers behind the labels are Tasman equivalents or variants of the Harrington ones.

Awesome meaty beer, that.

Thanks for the info. I'll be honest, I can't recall the label but whoever makes it, they done good. I don't drink too much beer these days so when I do I like it to be interesting. mainstream beers are NOT interesting.

[MisterD]

I just popped into our local english shop for some mushy peas to have with tonight's fish & chips (that's fu... :shutup:) and they've obviously gone and got themselves a booze licence.

So, anyway I came away with a couple of bottles of Jennings Cocker Hoop (http://www.jenningsbrewery.co.uk/cocker_hoop_product.htm) and some Sneck Lifter (http://www.jenningsbrewery.co.uk/sneck_lifter_product.htm) by way of a belated St George's Day present to myself.

[warewolf]

Enjoying a bit of "Cock And Bull" (http://www.cockandbull.co.nz/) . Love their "Monks Habit":2thumbsup
...
Have also enjoyed a good bere or to from "Hallertau" (http://www.hallertau.co.nz/index.php?page=home) in Riverhead. Good ta see some "Real" Beer being made in NZ:2thumbsupMmmm Monks Habit is a fave of mine.

Interesting link, 12 Most common beer myths exploded (http://legendsofbeer.wordpress.com/2008/12/16/12-most-common-beer-myths-exploded/), off the Hallertau site. They're wrong about the Guiness though. There are 6 export recipes, chosen to suit the target market. So yes there will be differences to the original in some markets. NZ changed to the orginial recipe sometime 6-7 years ago.


Thanks for the info. I'll be honest, I can't recall the label but whoever makes it, they done good. I don't drink too much beer these days so when I do I like it to be interesting. mainstream beers are NOT interesting.New World in Nelson looks to have all the Harringtons beers on the shelf, including Big John. Plus Emmersons, Founders, etc etc etc.

[pete376403]

Pack 'n' Save in Petone has a range of English beers which (if I'm reading the label right) are real English and not brewed here under licence.
Wee bit expensive at $7 - 8 / 500ml but rather nice for all that.
So far tonight, starting with a Greene & King Strong Suffolk vintage ale, followed by a Fullers London Porter (mmm nice). Still to go are a Morlands Hens Tooth (as in, rare as a) and finally a Morland "Old Specklend Hen".
Apart from me thinking they taste very nice indeed, are these anything out of the ordinary or just me being fooled by a nice label?

[Skyryder]

I'd give my right arm for a Spitfire



Skyryder

[Usarka]

They're wrong about the Guiness though. There are 6 export recipes, chosen to suit the target market. So yes there will be differences to the original in some markets. NZ changed to the orginial recipe sometime 6-7 years ago.


Even in Ireland there is a big difference in the quality of guiness between one pub and another. The two main criteria that my investigations (many hundreds of pints in that laborious task) found were 1) the maintenance and cleaning of the pipes - frequent and with the right cleaners, and b) the pour. Rotation of kegs is probably a big factor also, but hardly ever a problem in ireland.

Both at the same time are very rare in NZ guiness pouring establishments.

[MisterD]

Pack 'n' Save in Petone has a range of English beers which (if I'm reading the label right) are real English and not brewed here under licence.
Wee bit expensive at $7 - 8 / 500ml but rather nice for all that.
So far tonight, starting with a Greene & King Strong Suffolk vintage ale, followed by a Fullers London Porter (mmm nice). Still to go are a Morlands Hens Tooth (as in, rare as a) and finally a Morland "Old Specklend Hen".
Apart from me thinking they taste very nice indeed, are these anything out of the ordinary or just me being fooled by a nice label?

All good real ales...it's just Greene King (no &)...grew up as a beer drinker on their IPA and Abbott Ale in Cambridge. Fullers have their fans, but I reckon they're overrated but Old Speckled Hen (named after an MG...) is a real stealth knockout drop...lovely.


I'd give my right arm for a Spitfire


Downed all over Kent...just like the Luftwaffe.

[RiderInBlack]

http://www.wigrambrewing.co.nz/images/pilsner.jpg (http://www.wigrambrewing.co.nz/beer.html)http://www.wigrambrewing.co.nz/images/lager.jpg (http://www.wigrambrewing.co.nz/beer.html)http://www.wigrambrewing.co.nz/images/honey.jpg (http://www.wigrambrewing.co.nz/beer.html)http://www.wigrambrewing.co.nz/images/dunkel.jpg (http://www.wigrambrewing.co.nz/beer.html)http://www.wigrambrewing.co.nz/images/bitter.jpg (http://www.wigrambrewing.co.nz/beer.html)http://www.wigrambrewing.co.nz/images/dark.jpg (http://www.wigrambrewing.co.nz/beer.html)
From WIGRAM BREWING COMPANY LTD (http://www.wigrambrewing.co.nz/)
Any one down there try them? Any good?

[jim.cox]

Any one down there try them?
Yup


Any good?

They are ok, nothing exciting....

[Mully Clown]

WIGRAM BREWING COMPANY LTD
Any one down there try them? Any good?
They're fucking great. Did a tour of their brewery with about 15 mates from work. Was essentially a piss-up in a brewery, $20 a head and we were there for around 5 hours... highly recommended.

I'd drink there beer more often if it was in my local supermarket. The Spruce Beer is worth drinking purely for the history behind it. It wasn't my favourite, I forget what that was but it's not listed on their site at the moment.

[jim.cox]

I've made a new discovery

Wigram's Vienna Lager is pretty darned good

I normally avoid lagers and pilsners beacuse of their lack of taste - but not this one.

[vifferman]

Interesting link, 12 Most common beer myths exploded (http://legendsofbeer.wordpress.com/2008/12/16/12-most-common-beer-myths-exploded/), off the Hallertau site. They're wrong about the Guiness though.
They're also wrong about some of the other 'myths' (which they seem to have sourced from some American source). F'rinstance, American beer IS often weaker than beer exported there from Yurp or elsewhere, as there's some weird tax/excise thing for beers over 2.9%, so many Californian beers are weak and watery.
Also, with some of the Yrpeen beers (such as the Koeningshoeven brewery which produces La Trappe beers), the darker ones do have a higher alcohol content.

[Hitcher]

The Brewjolais season has come to an end for another year. Sigh.

This is the best beer that Mac's has ever brewed. Srsly.

[Skyryder]

Well some of you have intrigued me enough to try a tipple of the Wigram Ale.

They make a Spruce Beer based on Captain Cooks original recipe as first made in Dusky Sound in 1773. Flavoured with spruce (rimu) and tea tree (manuka) That's on the lable. It would be a mistake to drink this beer straight from the fridge. The delicate flavour of the tea tree and rimu flavourings would be destroyed. Give it about half and hour for 'fridge chill' to lift. This beer is truly original and as such I have found it difficult to place it in a catorgory. It is not a lager or a dark beer but comes closer due to the distinctive flavour as bitter.

I tend to believe that this beer is more suited to the BBQ and while I hesitate to suggest that it would go with fish as does a Pilsoner it would without doubt be suited to Japanese food or lightly spiced food where its delicate flavour would come to the fore.


Skyryder

[Gubb]

Someone mentioned that there's a Feijoa beer in existence.

I love Feijoa's, and I love Beer, but together, i'm not so sure. It can't be any worse than Radler.

Anyone know anything further?

[warewolf]

They're also wrong about some of the other 'myths'You are right, I think we've already mentioned many of them in the discussion in this thread so wasn't going to labour the (each) point, but I will :spanking:. Re-reading, it all seems to be rather disengenuous. For instance, the one about light beers having < 50% of the calories of regular beer, yet they say it won't help. Maybe it won't if you drink twice as many, but it is not a myth that light beer has many fewer calories.

And the one about glass colour: green is lower volume and more expensive, and is considered a nicer/premium colour. As such, it is reserved for the better beers. No guarantee, of course, but usually the case. They are right about the light-strike, which is why Steinlager didn't go into a green (posh) bottle until they improved its light-strike resistance. And probably why so many Coronas and Stellas have suffered light-strike.

Beer colour, and quality, do tend to have a bearing on the alcohol content. As the other flavours get stronger (typical in a darker or well-crafted brew), the alcohol flavour has to be increased to keep it balanced.

So many of their myths are exceptions to the rough rule-of-thumb. But hey, they are American, they have a distorted/insular view of the world.

[jim.cox]

But hey, they are American, they have a distorted/insular view of the world.

American Beer - like making love in a canoe. Fucking close to water

[Indiana_Jones]

Fuck I love beer

-Indy

[bungbung]

If you like lots and lots of hops, look out for Epic Armageddon or Hallertau Maximus Humulus Lupulus

[slofox]

It would be a mistake to drink this beer straight from the fridge. The delicate flavour of the tea tree and rimu flavourings would be destroyed. Give it about half and hour for 'fridge chill' to lift.

Actually Skyryder, I reckon you are better NOT to store this beer in the fridge at all. Much more betterer to chill it lightly just before you drink it.
Any long term fridge storage at 4C will cause the aromatic compounds responsible for much of the flavour to become locked down in solution. So store at room temp and then chill before drinking. Same goes for many English Ales. The EA's that I sell, I do not store in the fridge at all for this very reason.
It's interesting to put this to the test. I did it with Fullers ESB. Chilled one just before drinking - just long enough to drop the temp to around 10 - 11C. Was luvverly. Stored the other in the fridge for two days. Poured it straight out of the fridge (4C). Tasteless! Allowed it to warm up, but still didn't taste the same. The aromatics are very slow to come back out - I believe they lag behind the temperature increase. That sort of beer that has been in the fridge, I would allow to sit at room temp for about two - three days before consuming...
Totally different story with NZ commercial beer. The colder the better because it tastes like shit...
Just my thoughts...

[slofox]

If you like lots and lots of hops, look out for Epic Armageddon or Hallertau Maximus Humulus Lupulus

I will have Epic Armageddon in store by tomorrow for all the Hamiltronians around...be warned - it ain't cheap...($10 per 500ml)...

[Skyryder]

Actually Skyryder, I reckon you are better NOT to store this beer in the fridge at all. Much more betterer to chill it lightly just before you drink it.
Any long term fridge storage at 4C will cause the aromatic compounds responsible for much of the flavour to become locked down in solution. So store at room temp and then chill before drinking. Same goes for many English Ales. The EA's that I sell, I do not store in the fridge at all for this very reason.
It's interesting to put this to the test. I did it with Fullers ESB. Chilled one just before drinking - just long enough to drop the temp to around 10 - 11C. Was luvverly. Stored the other in the fridge for two days. Poured it straight out of the fridge (4C). Tasteless! Allowed it to warm up, but still didn't taste the same. The aromatics are very slow to come back out - I believe they lag behind the temperature increase. That sort of beer that has been in the fridge, I would allow to sit at room temp for about two - three days before consuming...
Totally different story with NZ commercial beer. The colder the better because it tastes like shit...
Just my thoughts...

My I am impressed. I took your advice. Stored one in the fridge for a few days and left the other in a cupboard in the wash house. Then tried the two together at aprox the same temperture. What a difference.


Skyryder

[boostin]

Renaissance Brewing Company
Discovery
American Pale Ale
'bout $8/500ml

Has a good taste with strong hop flavors. As far as APA's go in not sure if this is good or not but I certainly enjoyed it and will get it again!

[want-a-harley]

Renaissance Brewing Company
Discovery
American Pale Ale
'bout $8/500ml

Has a good taste with strong hop flavors. As far as APA's go in not sure if this is good or not but I certainly enjoyed it and will get it again!

I tried their perfection pale ale the other day which is also good. Have just put down my first home brew which is an IPA so fingers crossed

[boostin]

Im drinking my first kit home brew, kinda tastes like shit. I have an extract brew that will be bottled this weekend that should be better.

[want-a-harley]

Seen this?

http://www.howtobrew.com/

[boostin]

Yeah I have, its a good read. Some of the technical reading goes over my head but as my home brew exp goes up I'm sure I can re read it and get more from it.

I check the aussiehomebrewer.com forums, heaps of good info there and there is also realbeer.co.nz!

[Lias]

I will have Epic Armageddon in store by tomorrow for all the Hamiltronians around...be warned - it ain't cheap...($10 per 500ml)...

Bugger me, I might have to win lotto before I trundle over your way again.

[phred]

If anyone is interested I am willing to sell the stainless steel brewery equipment I built when I was a committed home brewer. I got disillusioned with the homebrew flavour so I built this to mash by own barley and create real beer. Capacity 120litres per batch. Contains a mash tun and boiler. Will also include my 9L keg and spare Barrels. I need the room in the garage and I am in between jobs so the money would be good. Bear in mind though that I haven't used this gear for 15 years so a good clean will be required by you.

[RiderInBlack]

Well about time this thread got a kick start:apint:
Having tasted many a nice German, Belgium and Micro-brewery beer, I am tonight giving Epic Mayhem (http://epicbeer.com/blog/2009/2/1/mayhem-to-be-unleashed-on-summer-beer-festivals.html) a good tasting.
214856
And may I say, it a Fucken Nice Drop. But then I'd say that 3/4 way through a 500ml 6.2% bottle of top of the line beer on a empty stomach:shifty:
Dam lucky that I'm safely Miles away from any women, cause ya would all look good right now, LOL.
So Dudes and Dudettes, ya tasted a good beer lately?

[RiderInBlack]

PS: Note Ta Self. Don't leave Home-made Pizza unattended under the grill, if ya going ta have a descent beer, DOH. No worries. Saved it by cutting off the burnt bits LOL.

[warewolf]

Sprig & Fern Brewery's current special brew, simply titled "I.P.A." or "India Pale Ale", is very tasty.

Not sure when, but they've recently changed their name from Tasman to S&F. Makes sense, as most people knew their beers through their Sprig & Fern taverns. Mention "Tasman" and most ppl would look at you funny, not knowing they were behind the S&Fs.

[Robhj]

As a Pom, I'm bound to object to the fizzy, sweet, bland mainstream NZ beers. Best so far discovered is Mac's Sassy Red, which is bitter and tangy. Speight's Empire IPA (India Pale Ale) is also good but hard to find - they could have chosen a better name though, given Maori experiences of the British!

[spacemonkey]

Dude leave those mainstream pisswaters behind ya... Try pretty well anything from Emersons, Epic, Tuatara, Townsend if you like the ESB's, Reinasance, Yeastie boys, Peak brewing, invercargil brewing, mikes organic beer, 8wired or Golden Bear.

Difficult to get as big a selection in the local shops up north (and impossible in west auckland) as down south but there's bound to be something around. :)
Townsend and Peak do pretty good english style ales.


oh Croucher from Rotorua's not bad either. :yes:

[Katman]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread to give my +1 for the Tuatara that I got to try over the weekend.

Tried the Pilsner which was great but at $20 per half dozen will probably stick to the Monteiths Pilsner for volumetric consumption.

The Munich Helles Lager though was sensational. Probably the nicest lager I've ever tasted.

I'm looking forward to trying the others in their range.

[ellipsis]

As a Pom, I'm bound to object to the fizzy, sweet, bland mainstream NZ beers. Best so far discovered is Mac's Sassy Red, which is bitter and tangy. Speight's Empire IPA (India Pale Ale) is also good but hard to find - they could have chosen a better name though, given Maori experiences of the British!

...kiwi beers....too true...the Sassy Red is one of the nicer drops i have bought over the bar in a while...

[warewolf]

...kiwi beers....too true...the Sassy Red is one of the nicer drops i have bought over the bar in a while...Try a Founders Redhead. Sassy Red has a very strong nose but very little taste, Redhead is the opposite with little nose but great taste. Sassy Red smells like Redhead tastes!

[ellipsis]

Try a Founders Redhead.

.....will do...

[spacemonkey]

Try a Founders Redhead. Sassy Red has a very strong nose but very little taste, Redhead is the opposite with little nose but great taste. Sassy Red smells like Redhead tastes!

Yeah the Founders range is pretty good. :yes:
Though I'm more fond of their Fair maiden, Tall blond and long black beers.
They have also brought out quite a few special brews this year as it's their 10th anniversary this year.

[ellipsis]

...where in the chch area is it obtainable...

[warewolf]

Tonight had the at times dubious pleasure of some local craft brews.

First up was Bays Brewery (http://www.baysbrewery.co.nz/products.html)'s "Harley's Premium Ale". This is famous because it is the cheapest 2L rigger refill at $8.70. I wouldn't bother with it, to be honest. Bays as a whole is the poor cousin of the craft brewery scene hereabouts, primarily because the bar is set so high. Their Exclamator Dopplebock is the pick of the bunch but has a high alcohol content - couple of those and I'm anyone's. The Bengal Bitter IPA is great with a curry, unsurprisingly, and it's a better choice than many of the imported exotica offered at curry houses.

Next up was Sprig & Fern (http://www.sprigandfern.co.nz/beer.aspx)'s Pilsner, their mid-strength lager at 5%. Long been a favourite, it's got good flavour without seeming too boutique-y or yeasty (Founder (http://www.foundersbrewery.co.nz/products/shop/page2)'s Tall Blonde can come across like that at times). The 4% Fern Lager is a great intro to craft brews: it's a step above the mass-produced swill and shouldn't offend an inexperienced palate but rather wake it up. The top-level lager is Tasman at 6.5%. Despite the more vigorous taste, the hot alcohol flavours predominate so it doesn't seem as balanced as Pilsner, plus the extra alcohol content goes straight to the head. The drinking sensation is like the Monty Python fish dance:
<object height="385" width="480">
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IhJQp-q1Y1s?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></object>

Finally, I enjoyed a quiet Sprig & Fern I.P.A. or two. This a very hearty yet tasty and refreshing IPA. It's one of my staples. What was originally a limited release (IIRC for Marchfest in April this year) it's been so popular it's now part of their permanent line-up. It has displaced half-Best Bitter half-Pale Ale as my brew of choice for all occasions, including as a thirst quencher.

[warewolf]

...where in the chch area is it obtainable...
Stockists of Founders organic Beer in - Christchurch (http://www.foundersbrewery.co.nz/outlets/outlet4).

[warewolf]

Though I'm more fond of their Fair maiden, Tall blond and long black beers.I tend to cycle through them. Fair Maiden is complex and gets a bit aromatic with extended drinking, and at the end of a long hard week all I want is a good clean simple lager so Tall Blonde gets the nod. But if I don't drink it for a while, it ends up at the top of the list. btw They've put in some hand-pull pumps, and I reckon Fair Maiden hand-pulled is the best.

Generation Ale has some interesting nutty flavours but can be subtle; I tend to flip-flop between it and Redhead. Apart from the Friday arvo Blonde, I just pick one at random from the range! That is, if they don't have any specials. Their Show Hopper is dynamite (they're up to version III now) but very limited release, just for the arts(?) festival in autumn. Heavily hopped, it's sharper than a pageful of Oscar Wilde witticisms folded up to a point, dipped in lemon juice and jabbed in your eye.

[Usarka]

I've just sampled an brew I've cooked up from scratch using malt extract and hops. English bitter stylez - and it is f**kn delicious! :woohoo:

[bungbung]

I spent a few of the rainy hours yesterday brewing a hoppy Pilsener (full mash), lots of Nelson Sauvin, Cascade and Motueka hops. It's a recipe I have been refining for a while, a bit like a hoprocker on steroids.

[Mudfart]

ive tried a lot of the beers available in Oz, NZ UK and Ireland over the years, and I'm yet to say, "that tastes good".
All beer tastes yuck, it only tastes ok when a defining moment suits, for example on a hot day after mowing a lawn, or after a ride.
Although I'd be just as happy with an equally cold soft drink.
After the first 3 bottles, then I dont care what I'm drinking, except Steinlager, my tastebuds NEVER get stupefied enough to put up with THAT.
Guiness, funnily enough tasted better when it travels, not drunken AT the brewery in Dublin.

[Usarka]

I spent a few of the rainy hours yesterday brewing a hoppy Pilsener (full mash), lots of Nelson Sauvin, Cascade and Motueka hops. It's a recipe I have been refining for a while, a bit like a hoprocker on steroids.

Hoproider! Nice. What yeast would you be using with that?

[bungbung]

I tried a prior batch using wyeast czech pils yeast, but I underpitched and it took 4 days to get going. I had to tip it out.
This batch was saflager

[vifferman]

Anyone tried beers from the Kaimai Brewing Company? I was surprised to see them in our local New World, and pleasantly pleased with the drinking experience. :yes:

[vifferman]

Anyone tried beers from the Kaimai Brewing Company? I was surprised to see them in our local New World, and pleasantly surprised with the drinking experience. :yes:
There's not a big range (only two? I think), but they're not bad. At all at all.

[pete376403]

...and I reckon Fair Maiden hand-pulled is the best.
.
um...your talkin about beer, right?

[Indiana_Jones]

mmmmmmmmm very tastey

231175

-Indy

[Brian d marge]

mmmmmmmmm very tastey

231175

-Indy

a little tiny ( gay champane) glass

Stephen

ps its Ameerican ...home of ...miller lite eeeewwwwwwww

[Indiana_Jones]

Are you snorting your beer instead of drinking it? :facepalm:

-Indy

[SPman]

Renaissance Brewing Company
Discovery
American Pale Ale
'bout $8/500ml

Has a good taste with strong hop flavors. As far as APA's go in not sure if this is good or not but I certainly enjoyed it and will get it again!
Jeez - we have to pay $15 a bottle over here....in real money as well.....$20 NZ

[spacemonkey]

Jeez - we have to pay $15 a bottle over here....in real money as well.....$20 NZ

So pretty much like what we have to pay for Rogue down here then..... And Rogue XS is around the $45 mark. :violin:

[SPman]

Rogues a smidge cheaper here, but, yeah - it gets very expensive , very quickly if you forget and keep grabbing bottles.......mind you, the excise pushes even local beer to stupid prices....

[Coldrider]

Enjoyed a dozy of Stoke Dark over the weekend.
Will buy again.

[Usarka]

a little tiny ( gay champane) glass

Stephen

ps its Ameerican ...home of ...miller lite eeeewwwwwwww

Whilst I applaud you're distain of miller lite, bud lite, arse suck spit into a bottle lite etc, they can actually do some nice beers. Sam Adams was a quite tasty beer, plus a number of others (sierra nevada pale ale, some weird prohibition ale etc....)

As for the glasses, this is what they use in belgium where the monks brew the 12% shizzel. So god says it's good!

[slofox]

Are you snorting your beer instead of drinking it? :facepalm:

-Indy

The only time I snort beer is when I laugh too much as I swallow it...and even then, it comes out - doesn't go in...:sick:

[jim.cox]

Enjoyed a dozy of Stoke Dark over the weekend.
Will buy again.

The Stoke Lager is good too :)

[Coldrider]

The Stoke Lager is good too :)I'll try that this weekend, don't want to mix me drinks.

[Usarka]

I'm on a bender so I'll try it next Thursday. Don't want to mix my drinks! :drinkup:

[spacemonkey]

Had a big night last night, Went to Hashingo Zake and had a Townsend Cathcarts NTA on the hand pump then headed over to the malthouse and had the following;
Yeastie Boys "Pot Kettle Black"
Emersons "Tally Ho!"
Tim Taylor "Landlord" real ale,
Badger "Golden Champion"
Badger "First gold" (single hop real ale),
Fullers "Winter Ale",
Fullers Vintage ale (From the 2000 vintage)
Then back to Hashingo Zake for a Twisted hop "Challenger" bitter on the hand pump.
An evening full of win!! :D

I still don't understand why I didn't get a hangover today????????

[Coldrider]

I'll try that this weekend, don't want to mix me drinks.The stoke dark was $25 a doz

This week it is $30 at the supermarket, $30 bucks i can get wizzle piss :shit: AND a bottle of Red

[Smifffy]

I really enjoy Abita amber. Their other beers are good, but that's my fave.

[jim.cox]

$30 bucks i can get wizzle piss :shit: AND a bottle of Red

a bottle of Red IS wiizzle piss, Mate

[SPman]

Rate beers list of top NZ & Aust beers

http://www.ratebeer.com/<wbr>RateBeerBest/table_2011.asp?<wbr>title=Best+Beers+of+Australia+<wbr>and+New+Zealand+2011&file=<wbr>australia_beer_2011.csv (http://www.ratebeer.com/RateBeerBest/table_2011.asp?title=Best+Beers+of+Australia+and+N ew+Zealand+2011&file=australia_beer_2011.csv)

[spacemonkey]

Renaisance and 8wired (essentially the same brewery and brewer) really are cleaning up!! :woohoo:

[Coldrider]

a bottle of Red IS wiizzle piss, MateI couldn't possibly comment, I have never had a quart of Lion Red.

[Usarka]

We've just had 5 quarts of coopers home brew each. At about $1 per quart.

5/10 for flavour flav.

10/10 for value and being able to brew it in this stinking hot weather :woohoo:

[spacemonkey]

Kicking back this evening drinking Rothaus Pils and Rothaus Märzen.
Fucking fantastic drops!

[spacemonkey]

fridge door is looking quite nice right now.
Paulaner
Rothaus x2
Bear republic "Big bear stout"
Coranado islander IPA

[riffer]

Well, I'm kicking back drinking some fine home brewed lager before heading off to a 70s themed surprise birthday party.

With an alcohol % of 4.8 and a nice bitter hoppsy taste it's going down bloody nice.

Home brewed beer all the way! :headbang:

[RiderInBlack]

Well, I'm kicking back drinking some fine home brewed lager before heading off to a 70s themed surprise birthday party.Hope ya going Punk234291 It's great for buggering with the Disco dewbies :devil2:

[riffer]

Hope ya going Punk234291 It's great for buggering with the Disco dewbies :devil2:

Mate. I did that for real the first time around (http://smalltakeover.blogspot.com/2007/12/tab-argumentative-bastards-ep.html).

[Indiana_Jones]

Pirate Biere and Appletons rum!

Total pirate drink!

-Indy

[Brian d marge]

Well, I'm kicking back drinking some fine home brewed lager before heading off to a 70s themed surprise birthday party.

With an alcohol % of 4.8 and a nice bitter hoppsy taste it's going down bloody nice.

Home brewed beer all the way! :headbang:
hell yeah, wife complained about the cost of me drinking,,,,
sooo I made a deal with the devil, I carry on drinking, but the cost comes down
I bought a home brew kit, bottle the first batch tomorrow
and have started batch no 2.....
sod this working lark, I might sit around in my garden drinking my own ale ....eating my own grown food ......( just wish the garden was bigger)

stephen

[Usarka]

hell yeah, wife complained about the cost of me drinking,,,,
sooo I made a deal with the devil, I carry on drinking, but the cost comes down

Don't you know that old joke. You were supposed to say to her "but you spend lots of money on clothes and makeup!"