Beer aficionados

[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

[peasea]

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

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 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 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" . Love their "Monks Habit"

Monks Habit Abbey Ale Consistently New Zealand's most awarded beer since 1997 Read more

Have also enjoyed a good bere or to from "Hallertau" in Riverhead. Good ta see some "Real" Beer being made in NZ

[Laava]

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

[Usarka]

Have also enjoyed a good bere or to from "Hallertau" in Riverhead. Good ta see some "Real" Beer being made in NZ

Oh yeah.

+1 for the 'tau.

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 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 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... ) 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 and some Sneck Lifter by way of a belated St George's Day present to myself.

[warewolf]

Enjoying a bit of "Cock And Bull" . Love their "Monks Habit"
...
Have also enjoyed a good bere or to from "Hallertau" in Riverhead. Good ta see some "Real" Beer being made in NZ

Mmmm Monks Habit is a fave of mine.

Interesting link, 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]

From WIGRAM BREWING COMPANY LTD
Any one down there try them? Any good?