The importance of remaining faithful to true friends

[HenryDorsetCase]

Yesterday afternoon the missus and I were in the supermarket, and while she picked the steaks I made my way to the holiest of holies; the beer section because I knew that there was one brave little Steinie standing between me an an empty fridge. Monteiths Distinction was on special, as was Steinlager, and both of them have served me well and never let me down no matter how dire the thirst so which should I choose? Maybe even both to encourage the shop owner to keep them specials rolling?

But my eye was taken by the new Ranfurly beers, and my mind switched to the clever new advertising on TV. They looked so refreshing and tasty, so I grabbed a box and hurried past the Macs, Steinlager and Speights stands, paid my money and set off home. I resisted the powerful temptation to crack open a bottle for the long drive home (one of the reasons I have a missus is so she can drive the car - dirty work) because the beer wasn't as cold as it needed to be and I wanted things to be right for my first sip.

Into the freezer, mow the lawns to build an even bigger thirst and when it was nice and icey I cracked it open, filled my mug and sucked it back, waiting for that cold, cleansing sensation as icy beer washed the dust from my throat.

Only problem the beer was sweet, bland and uninteresting. None of that bitter hop tang I love so much, or the full flavour of the malt and the crisp refreshment I demand in beer. I was glad for the last stalwart Steinie that allowed me to refresh my mouth and remember what beer is meant to taste like.

An emergency run to the bottle shop later and my fridge was filled with trusted friends and the Ranfurley swill has been put aside as a reminder to stay faithful to good beer and not to be tempted by the evil art of the advertisers.

Three Boys brewery from Christchurch

Epic Pale ale

Epic Armageddon

Moa (their wheat beer is good)


Steinlager is OK, in terms of being a generic, factory produced, green bottle lager at a cheap price. Its OK, and the pick of all of them (like fucking Heinecken, Stella, all those other generic lagers).

But there are other better (MUCH better) alternatives, if you're prepared to pay a little more, and try something different.

SOme of the Asian beers are really good too: current favourites Kirin from Japan and 333 from Vietnam (uses rice as the grain: fantastic)

my 2c.

Buy three boys, they could do with the turnover.

[slofox]

Buy three boys, they could do with the turnover.

I find Three Boys a little hard to get up here...last time we ordered it took six weeks for the beer to arrive.

Contacting them is not always immediate either - the cell phone number is often unanswered and message replies can be slow...

I am thinking of getting their stuff via Beernz. Might be easier than direct, albeit a little more expensive...

The beer is top stuff though, I'd have to say.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I bought some McCashin "StokeO beer the other day. Most recommended. Lots of flavour in it - bottles are a bit small tho...
Macs went downhill when Lion took it over - become just another mass market beer.
Geoff

Agree with this.

I missed the best Australian beer I've ever had: Little Creatures Pale Ale. Its FANTASTIC. I always buy it over there and when I see it here. sort of expensive here though.

[shrub]

Three Boys brewery from Christchurch

Epic Pale ale

Epic Armageddon

Moa (their wheat beer is good)


Steinlager is OK, in terms of being a generic, factory produced, green bottle lager at a cheap price. Its OK, and the pick of all of them (like fucking Heinecken, Stella, all those other generic lagers).

But there are other better (MUCH better) alternatives, if you're prepared to pay a little more, and try something different.

SOme of the Asian beers are really good too: current favourites Kirin from Japan and 333 from Vietnam (uses rice as the grain: fantastic)

my 2c.

Buy three boys, they could do with the turnover.

The only drawback to 3 boys etc, is they're not a quaffing beer in the way Swinelager is. I'll drink them with great delight at Pomeroy's, but sometimes one needs a cold quaffing beer to knock back a few after mowing the lawn and while cooking a snag on the BBQ.

maybe we should have a beer tasting one day?

[HenryDorsetCase]

The only drawback to 3 boys etc, is they're not a quaffing beer in the way Swinelager is. I'll drink them with great delight at Pomeroy's, but sometimes one needs a cold quaffing beer to knock back a few after mowing the lawn and while cooking a snag on the BBQ.

maybe we should have a beer tasting one day?

that magic first one that doesnt touch the sides after a hard day of doing whateverthehell? yeah, know what you mean.

mmmm beeeeeeeeeer tasting.

[slofox]

Agree with this.

I missed the best Australian beer I've ever had: Little Creatures Pale Ale. Its FANTASTIC. I always buy it over there and when I see it here. sort of expensive here though.

Fabulous beer! I have Little Creatures in stock all the time. But you are right - it is expensive. It is distributed locally by Lion and the price has climbed dramatically in the last twelve months. Currently $25.00 per six pack from me. But even at that price, it still sells. It's one beer I dare not run out of because the devotees get antsy if I don't have it...


Oh and we do have beer tastings from time to time...

[twinbruva]

Beer writer Michael Jackson ....[

ROFL, that's a "pisstake" for sure.


Tui ad?

[twinbruva]

I am pleased to report that McCashin's Stoke Gold is a VERY good lager!!

If you like that then you'd like Totara Gold, from the people that brought you Drovers Draught. Word has it the brewer will soon combine the labels into Drovers Draught and Drovers Gold for uniformity and market recognition.

Slurped a box of Stoke dark the other day, can't recall what they named it (lit a fire with the empty box) but it was damned fine.

http://www.mccashins.co.nz/

[spacemonkey]

ok guys.. im very fond of the english bitters ( think any of the Morland range or similar ) I live in Welly. Where can I get a NZ bitter that tastes like the ones I like but can't afford? I tend to treat them a bit like wine and drink just a bit and really enjoy it.

For everyday quaffing Im keen on the Montieth radler...darn fine after mowing lawns or killing roosters! Not the same style as the english bitters, but I still like it on occasion

Townsend Brewery from Nelson is an oldschool English bitter specialist, available on and off at regional wines and spirits.
and occasionally on the hand pump at Hashingo.
Another traditional style english bitter producer is Peak Brewing over in the Wairarapa.... I have a love of Rhy's the brewers Cornhill porter, it's the shizzle!

[spacemonkey]

Agree with this.

I missed the best Australian beer I've ever had: Little Creatures Pale Ale. Its FANTASTIC. I always buy it over there and when I see it here. sort of expensive here though.

2nded... their pale ale is excellent!

[Smifffy]

As an aside, am I the only one who misses beer in 750 ml bottles? Most of my furniture and workshop storage for many years was in wooden boxes with ABC on them. Cardboard carry packs just don't cut it.

Hell, many of the flats in my earlier years had furniture stamped ABC.

[AllanB]

Three Boys Pale Ale - sounds like I need to grab the phone book and car keys.


Hmmm beer tasting.

I tried some imported stuff in a 500ml can on special for $2 a can at the super last weekend - some strong larger - and it was too - I failed to notice it was also 8.4% - it went down pretty quick and kicked in soon after. I'm cheap to run
I'd like to post what it was but my son has crushed the can as 8 year old boys tend to!

[tri boy]

I find Three Boys a little hard to get up here...

Offer them more lollies.

[shrub]

Pomeroys on Kilmore St have a fine range - there comes a time when talk is not enough.

[baptist]

ROFL, that's a "pisstake" for sure.


Tui ad?

Michael Jackson is probably the best beer writer in the world. many years ago in the Uk I was in CAMRA (campaign for real ale) and he did tastings, bloke knows his stuff. Mind you I thought he would be dead by now...

The earlier post giving temps for beers was a good one, we used to keep our cask beers at 53F (perfect place was the coal hole under the stairs), cool enough to drink and you get all the full flavours. Love a good ale but not much for lager (eurofizz) even on a warm day.