Beer thread

taniwharugby

finally got around to trying some Tuatara beers... 
 
Wasnt a fan of the Pilsner or Ardenne, but liked thier Heche (think that is how it is spelt) the Wheat beer. 
 
While in Rotovega last week, I had the pleasure of visiting the small [URL="http://www.croucherbrewing.co.nz/"]Croucher[/URL] 'Brewery' and tried a couple of thier drops (ones already on the market along with a couple that are yet to be released) 
 
IIRC I tried the Pilsner, Hef and then a couple of others (IPA I think it was) not yet released, and I must say they were very good!

Crucial

Talking 'Tuatara' I had both the bottled and fresh (tap) of their new APA the other day. 
 
Hashigo Zake had it on tap and when I got home later I had a bottle. The difference was quite noticable. 
 
It is a heavily hopped American style Pale Ale and although very nice (if you are a 'hophead') I struggled to notice too much difference between it and Epic Armageddon. 
 
Some interesting stuff here [URL]http://www.cultbeerstore.co.nz/[/URL] too

Allstar

got some Bear Beer from The Mill today. Was about $8.50 for half a doz. It's from Denmark apparently. 
 
Not too bad for a 'session beer'. Had some taste and didn't go down too bad. The main test was that after 3 or 4, I could still drink another (a vital beer test IMO)

dogmeat

Man after 3 or 4 beers I'll drink almost anything - except for mass produced fizzy water like Waikato but then this is supposed to be a beer thread :fishing:

Crucial

Good to see the MacCashin Family back on the supermarket shelves after Mac's was bought out by Lion. Look for 'Stoke'. Brewed at the original Mac's Brewery in Nelson. Have just put some 'Gold' in the fridge so will let you know.

Crucial

The Stoke 'Gold' was very nice. Nothing OTT about it to distract from quenching the thirst. Despite the pleas on the label to drink it at a reasonable temperature, I found that both Gold and it's friend 'Amber' stood up well to being well chilled for a hot day. 
 
Good basic kiwi beer made well and naturally. I'll be buying it again.

homebuddy

I tried this new beer called Hopslam by Bells brewing company. It is really hoppy and one of the best beers I have ever drank. I don't usually drink the fancy beers though, all I need is six pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Quo vadis

So according to the Beeradvocate - a site of 1000's of user (mostly guys from overseas) beer submitted reviews. The Best beer in NZ is either.

Craftsman - Renaiassance brewing.
Hop wired IPA - 8 wire brewing. 
 
They have an average rating of [B]A[/B] and at least 4 reviews. But in reality any one of the [B]A- [/B]beers below is equally good, especially as they have more reviews. 
 
Epic is the best brewery (followed by Emerson and Twisted hop)with 4 [B]A-[/B] beers - based on many more reviews. Epic Armageddon is [B]A- [/B]with 36 reviews. Under such higher scrutiny and more S.D on the vote, such an [B]A-[/B] is more reflective than the two [B]A'[/B]s above. 
Epic Pale Ale is [B]A- [/B] from 24 reviews. 
Epic Thornbridge Oak Barrel Aged Stout [B]A-[/B] 5 reviews. 
Epic Barrel Aged I.P.A. [B]A-[/B] 6 reviews 
Twisted Ankle. [B]A-[/B] from 8 reviews. 
Croucher - Pale Ale. [B]A-[/B] from 7. 
Emerson - Old 95. [B]A-[/B] from 17 
Emerson -Organic Pilsner. [B]A-[/B] from 22 
Emerson Bourbon Porter. [B]A-[/B] from 5 and [B]A[/B] from the Beeradvocate founders. 
 
Golding Bitter from Twisted is [B]A+[/B] , but only two reviews. 
 
 
Moa is heavily reviewed but have nothing over [B]B+[/B] 
 
 
 
FWIW. Of the main stream stuff. 
 
CD. [B]B-[/B] 
WD. [B] B-[/B] 
Speights. [B]C+[/B] 
Tui. [B]C[/B] 
Lion Red. [B]C-[/B] 
DB Draught. [B] D+[/B] 
 
The now extinct Ranfurly Draught had an [B] F[/B] god it must have been shit. 
 
 
 
I had an Orval the other night - wow, what a beer! bloody expensive, but damn what flavour.

Crucial

A bottle of this [URL]http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/yeastie-boys-pkb-remix-2010-us-mix/132877/[/URL] awaits my consumption with Xmas mince pies. I was waiting for xmas day but it may not make it.

Scorz

I can confirm Ranfurly Draught was not a beer. $6 for 12 and you'd think there's no way you could feel ripped off. But you did. 
 
Magners Cider is now more readily available in NZ and I forgot how lethal it can be.

Smudge

Anyone else given the Stoke range a go? I've tried the lager, which was very nice indeed.

MN5

[quote name='Voltman']Anyone else given the Stoke range a go? I've tried the lager, which was very nice indeed.[/QUOTE] 
 
I was a bit disappointed to be honest but I'm keen to give it another go. Occasionally beer grows on you after a few trys and Stoke has a good pedigree so based on that I may have to purchase some more.

taniwharugby

the local RSA has Hawkes Bay Pilsner on tap, is not bad, for a pilsner.

Allstar

[quote name='Scorz']I can confirm Ranfurly Draught was not a beer. $6 for 12 and you'd think there's no way you could feel ripped off. But you did. [/quote] 
Yeah it's still pish in a new bottle design. Glad I didn't waste my money on a whole dozen. 
 
[quote]Magners Cider is now more readily available in NZ and I forgot how lethal it can be.[/QUOTE] 
We got a bottle of this the other day. It's quite tasty and not as acidic as the local ciders.

Allstar

I got a bottle of the Epic Portomarillo, I really liked it. It took a little getting used to at first, but grew on me. It was a collaboration with Dogfishhead Brewery (from the US). A tamarilo flavoured porter. 
 
Epic have also done another batch of Stout, which has been barrel aged. Its a very nice drop. 
 
Was in Thorndon New World again the other day, their beer selection has grown again. Very impressive. There were a bunch of American beers I haven't seen in nz before... Samuel Adams, Rolling Rock, Brooklyn Lager and Dos Equis. There was also a load of other international and local beers too.

Allstar

I got half a dozen Stoke Gold (made by McCashin family brewery). It's actually quite nice. Has a good clean taste, and is reasonably priced. 
 
I got a 2 quart gift pack of the DB Export Beer for Christmas. It was suprisingly good. A little extra alcohol (5.35%) and the 'original' recipe made it taste relatively OK. Certainly it's better than the insipid pish that DB Export has become these days. I reckon they should start selling it again as 'premium' beer.

Kirwan

Had some of that the other night, went down really well. Selling very well apparently.

Paj

Been hearing ad's on radio for Moa Beer, but can't find it in local bottlestores or supermarkets. 
 
Was tempted to by a Manuka beer tonight but Maka or some close name, but 4 bottles for $14.99 was a tad to much.

Allstar

[quote name='Paj']Been hearing ad's on radio for Moa Beer, but can't find it in local bottlestores or supermarkets. 
 
Was tempted to by a Manuka beer tonight but Maka or some close name, but 4 bottles for $14.99 was a tad to much.[/QUOTE] 
 
that's odd. I've seen Moa in quite a few supermarkets here. Even Pak'n'Save I think (it has a really shit beer selection, here at least). Have you tried Liqourland? They are usually very good. 
 
When I was down in Wellington, I tried some Tuatara. Both the Hefe (a wheat beer) and the Ardennes (quite strong). Both were very nice. I've been meaning to get some more. 
 
Kirwan - did you mean Stoke?

taniwharugby

[quote name='Paj']Been hearing ad's on radio for Moa Beer, but can't find it in local bottlestores or supermarkets. 
 
Was tempted to by a Manuka beer tonight but [B]Maka[/B] or some close name, but 4 bottles for $14.99 was a tad to much.[/QUOTE] 
 
Mata it is....made in Kawerau, they had a Feijoa beer that I tried, very perfumed, a tad dry for me, the manuka one is nice though 
 
You'll probably find Moa beer a tad too much as well, up here they sell from about $6-7.50 per 500ml bottle, I have seen them in Auckland New World for $5.50-7.00 per bottle

The Silver Fern

Beer thread