Beer thread

Allstar

Yeah, Boundary Road is quite nice. I was getting in to a few of those before the final on Sunday. I thought The Chosen One was kind of apt, also knocked back a Bouncing Czech. 
 
Nice flavour.

Crucial

Drinking this right now from Sawmill Brewery in Leigh. TR should know the spot well. Judging by the quality of this bottle I will certainly be trying the others in the range ( see [url]www.sawmillbrewery.co.nz[/url] ) 
 
This quite a refreshing dark beer with complex flavours 
 
THE ‘DOCTOR’ 
A complex blend of four malts combined with a duo of traditional hop varieties. Rich, warm roasted caramel and toffee notes with a lasting finish and smooth mouth feel. For serious lovers of fine ales. ‘Strong, dark and handsome’. 6.5% alcohol by volume. 
 
Edit: as a bonus it comes in swing top bottles for my next batch of Manuka smoked jalapeÃ±o BBQ sauce! 
 
Edit2: this is now my favourite beer (until the next fab comes along)

taniwharugby

ha, go back and read the very first post that started this thread <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> 
 
havent been there for a while but Matakana is a spot I'd recommend you visit if you make it to Auckland and dont want to venture too far North!

Stockcar86

I'm just off to Japan for a couple of weeks. The only japanese beer I have drunk previous are the standards of Kirin, Sapporo (black label) and my favourite warm weather lager - Asahi. 
 
Can anyone recommend any others to try while I am there?

Crucial

[quote name='taniwharugby']ha, go back and read the very first post that started this thread <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> 
 
havent been there for a while but Matakana is a spot I'd recommend you visit if you make it to Auckland and dont want to venture too far North![/QUOTE] 
 
I thought you had mentioned it! 
 
Only wannabes in Leigh would say they are from Matakana. What a haven for wankiness that place has become. 10 years ago all that was there was the Rusty Pelican Pizza joint on the corner, now it's full of dukkah shops and Dorklanders that think they are in the NZ version of the Hamptons. 
Leigh is still a commercial fishing and deadbeat hangout though, so it's alright.

antipodean

[quote name='Stockcar86']I'm just off to Japan for a couple of weeks. The only japanese beer I have drunk previous are the standards of Kirin, Sapporo (black label) and my favourite warm weather lager - Asahi. 
 
Can anyone recommend any others to try while I am there?[/QUOTE] 
Depends on where you go. If you make it to Hokkaido, grab yourself some Sapporo Classic. It's not sold anywhere else but that island. Unfortunately.

Stockcar86

[quote name='antipodean']Depends on where you go. If you make it to Hokkaido, grab yourself some Sapporo Classic. It's not sold anywhere else but that island. Unfortunately.[/QUOTE] 
 
Thanks Antipodean - unfortunately not going outside of Tokyo, Kyoto or Hakone this trip. Will try to find some small establishments with local brews

taniwharugby

[quote name='Crucial']I thought you had mentioned it! 
 
Only wannabes in Leigh would say they are from Matakana. What a haven for wankiness that place has become. 10 years ago all that was there was the Rusty Pelican Pizza joint on the corner, now it's full of dukkah shops and Dorklanders that think they are in the NZ version of the Hamptons. 
Leigh is still a commercial fishing and deadbeat hangout though, so it's alright.[/QUOTE] 
 
the Matakana Markets on a Saturday are great, head to Bennetts in Mangawhai (your Missus will love you) the area in general is more what I mean, the people, meh, I'm from Whangarei, they live close to Auckland, so they all blend <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> 
 
Doesnt Snowy live out in Leigh/Pakiri somehwere?

Crucial

Japan actually has amazing Craft Beer which is something that suprises me when their 'common' beer is just unhopped malt beverage. 
 
Google up 'Craft Beer Japan' and you will find plenty of information. 
 
Baird Brewing is one of the best. See this from the Hasigo Zake website... 
 
[QUOTE]Before 1995 Craft Brewing was effectively illegal in Japan as the industrial brewers were protected by a bizarre minimum capacity requirement. Since its repeal 500 breweries have sprung up and it is highly likely that Baird is the best of them. Founded by ex-pat American Bryan Baird and his Japanese wife Sayuri, the company has grown steadily and now has three of its own bars and is exported to the United States through Shelton Brothers. 
As well as producing a stable of fine year round beers, the brewery is celebrated for its dazzling array of seasonal beers. Baird’s repertoire is thought to extend to well over 100 different releases, generally coming out at a rate of one per week. 
In the 2010 World Beer Cup Baird caused a sensation by winning three gold medals – the most of any brewery. 
[/QUOTE] 
 
see also [URL]http://bairdbeer.com/en/taproom[/URL] for locations in Japan

Tim

An article on japanese craft beer, from this very thread: 
 
[url]http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/showthread.php/9503-Beer-thread?p=285089&viewfull=1#post285089[/url]

Crucial

Friday evening beverage update. 
 
Parrotdog Bitterbitch - this was the public favourite at Beervana this year but it had run out when I went to sample. Found some at New World Thorndon and it is very tasty. The hop flavours of a well hopped IPA on a base of an English style ale. 
 
Picked up a rigger from Centre City Wines and Spirits as well. These are a bargain. About $10 for a 1.25l of decent brew. Drinking the Black Dog Brew Stout. Smells like a strawberry chocolate and goes down a treat. 
 
Have another Sawmill to try too.

Crucial

Next episode. 
 
A rigger of Renaissance IPA went down well. Nice body and flavours. 
 
Finishing the evening with a Pink Elephant "pinks peculiar". Bloody tasty. Slightly sour in an English ale style.

Crucial

Stoke have put out a couple of "Bombers" 650 ml bottles(perfect size IMO ). 
Just trying the Smoky Ale. Mild smokiness like you would find in a smoked cheddar. Perfect with cold meats.

Chris B.

The Stoke Bomber Kiwi Pale Ale won first prize among the commercially brewed beers at the Nelson A&P Show last weekend. I dropped into the supermarket on the way home to pick up a bottle - but, it wasn't in stock - so I picked up a bottle of their Smoky ale instead, which I can endorse Crucial's view. Often these "flavours" seem to go overboard, but this smokiness was just very pleasant. 
 
I'm really looking forward to trying the KPA now.

Crucial

Had another go at the Stoke Smoky tonight. Reinforced my initial view that this is a very nice supping ale. Everything seems in balance.

taniwharugby

I noticed my local Countdown had 3 different Stokes in there today!

Chris B.

I tried a KPA, but didn't think it was as good as the Smoky. 
 
However, after drinking the KPA, I tried a Stoke Gold stubbie and thought it wasn't very good at all. So I waited till the next night and thought the Stoke Gold was much better. Might not have been thirsty enough! 
 
Will try another KPA in due course.

taniwharugby

[quote name='Chris B.']I tried a KPA, but didn't think it was as good as the Smoky. 
 
However, after drinking the KPA, I tried a Stoke Gold stubbie and thought it wasn't very good at all. So I waited till the next night and thought the Stoke Gold was much better. [U][B]Might not have been thirsty enough[/B][/U]! 
 
Will try another KPA in due course.[/QUOTE] 
 
I guess Chris is a unisex name...<img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Crucial

In the early days of craft brewing in NZ I was very keen to experiment with what the brewers were coming up with, but also quck to dispel anything substandard as I wasn't going to spend a higher $ on something that didn't warrant it. 
 
Sadly one of the breweries that I was underwhelmed with was the Wanaka Beerworks. Maybe I just had some duds (or the consistency wasn't there), but I was quite disappointed in their offerings and steered away from them since while trying other product. 
 
I'm glad to say though, that they have won me back. While staying in Wanaka in the winter I picked up a mixed 6-pack (great idea) and really enjoyed each bottle. The main reason I'm glad I did this is that the brewery is now really kicking into gear with some different offerings and seasonal beers. 
 
check out this [URL]http://wanakabeerworks.co.nz/[/URL] and if you see any in your local feel safe to give it a crack

Tim

Great to hear Crucial. A lot of my expertise is in yeast and mammalian fermentations and in (microscale) fermentor design. There are so many variables and complications in any bioreaction process, so it's always good to hear of a brewery achieving consistency and producing an excellent product. Especially in NZ. <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> 
 
I've been really impressed by the NZ Hops webpage recently - HPLC traces and nice introductions to the strains. Some really nice foreign beers using them. The question remains, is there an excellent, consistent NZ pilsner utilising the excellent local hops?

The Silver Fern

Beer thread