The Beer & Wine Review Thread

[Maha]

The only beer anyone ever needs ..........

Few years ago at Paeroa, mate asked if I wanted a beer, we were standing right outside a pub so ''hell yeah''! He came out with a couple of cups, I could feel the nice cold beer inside and it had a super smooth creamy head on it like I had never seen before. Tasted devine mate!
I offered to get another round in and asked '' what beer is it''? Waikato.....
''You are shitin' me! really''?...so I went and ordered two more Waikato's please.
The thing with Waikato is, it has to be very cold and you must start with it, you cant swap to it after drinking something else, thats when it taste like river bed dredge.

[slofox]

I usually drink red wine with lemonade (yes, I know sooo wrong)

Remind me never to sell you anything good...

[Bren]

a little off topic, but have just downed a Jose Curevo Margarita premix (700ml @ 11%)
Reminds me what summer is about...nice fine afternoons getting tipsy...
BRING ON SUMMER and back yard parties!

[Maha]

Currently enjoying Brown Brothers Dolcetta & Syrah....nice drop designed to be served chilled and ever so slight fizz which suits me fine cos I usually drink red wine with lemonade (yes, I know sooo wrong)

We had some Germans here once and they drank Steinlager with coke

[slofox]

We had some Germans here once and they drank Steinlager with coke

Probably improves the flavour of both...

[Str8 Jacket]

Epic: Armageddon FTW!!!!

[Bren]

Brewed by Hawkes Bay Independant Brewery....

I was hoping this would be another good porter...The label was good and description sounded good...
Popped the top, took the first swig and UGH....I may as well have spent my money on VitaStout...

It lacked the boldness and character you come to expect from a porter....will NOT be buying this one again!!!!

2 out of 5 for me....

The good points....It was beer, and it had alcohol
the bad points...Overpricerd (for what it is) and without a robust flavour I was expecting

[slofox]

Brewed by Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, Md, USA.

Flying Dog is a micro-brewery in Maryland, USofA.

Do not make the mistake of lumping all USA beers in with the commercial swill that is produced by the big corporations. Just as in NZ we have high quality product from craft breweries, so it is in the USofA. The micro-breweries more than make up for the lack of integrity of the commercial product.

Gonzo Imperial Porter is brewed in memory of Hunter S Thompson, who stated that "good people drink good beer."

This is very dark for a porter - almost the colour of stout but allowing some deep bronze highlights through. It is gently gassed and carries of soft head in the glass.
The aromas are of mocha and malt in a sack with a wee hint of hops apparent too.
There is a rich front palate - not too burnt - more of treacle and toffee. There is some fruity sweetness as well. There is a gentle hoppy back palate - enough to be reassuringly bitter. At 9.2% alcohol, this is not for the faint of heart but the flavours are big enough to carry this level without any spirity heat or volatility.

Not cheap but worth the money. Can be purchased online from beerstore.co.nz. I sell it as well.

from me.

[jim.cox]

Epic: Armageddon FTW!!!!

I've been really enjoying the Epic 'Mayhem'

Trouble is, that since the quake, its been getting darned hard to find around here

[SPman]

Currently enjoying Brown Brothers Dolcetta & Syrah....nice drop designed to be served chilled and ever so slight fizz ...

How much you paying for that over there - we drink a lot of that but it's $17.99 a bottle here.....

[slofox]

How much you paying for that over there - we drink a lot of that but it's $17.99 a bottle here.....

We sell it for about that - $17.00 at the moment. Depends on the deal I get...supermarkets will discount the shit out if it from time to time...

[Clockwork]

Current offer from the Malthouse: Twisted Hop IPA pulled through manderins(the orange thingies) Not as spectacular as the Coffee flavoured Porter but still very drinkable.

The manager tells me he's next going to try a Tuatara drawen through (some yet undecided citrus fruit) followed by a Porter through Cherries (when they come in to season)

We offered him the suggestion of a chocolate stout drawen through the manderins too. (A la Terry's Chocolate Orange)

[SPman]

Tried some Renaissance beer over the weekend - the American Pale Ale and their India Pale Ale. The APA, whilst very pleasant, wasn't what I've come to expect from the American APA's I've tried, probably had my mouth destroyed by all the Imperial Double IPAs I've been sampling, but I really liked the IPA - a good malt base with the bitterness of the hops sliding over the top. A good solid brew that I'll get again (if possible)

[RiderInBlack]

Tried some Renaissance beer over the weekend

Renaissance Stonecutter Scotch Ale is definitely one of my most favorite beers. Highly recommend it, but must be had with the right food and right temp. Love it.

[slofox]

Tried some Renaissance beer over the weekend - the American Pale Ale and their India Pale Ale. The APA, whilst very pleasant, wasn't what I've come to expect from the American APA's I've tried, probably had my mouth destroyed by all the Imperial Double IPAs I've been sampling, but I really liked the IPA - a good malt base with the bitterness of the hops sliding over the top. A good solid brew that I'll get again (if possible)

I have to agree regarding the APA - I prefer the "Perfection" EPA myself. To be honest, when I first tried the range, I told them I thought they had their names back to front - the EPA is much more aromatic than the APA which is what I would expect from an APA.
Having said that, I sell more of the APA than the EPA...so what would I know?

Try "Green Flash West Coast Pale Ale" if you can get it. Available from www.beerstore.co.nz by the boxful (or from me by the single)...