Beer thread

Crucial

[quote name='Tim']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?[/QUOTE] 
 
This one is pretty good... 
 
[QUOTE][FONT=Arial][B]CROUCHER - BOHEMIAN PILSNER - 5% alc/vol[/B][/FONT][FONT=Arial] [/FONT][FONT=Arial]Our Czech-styled lager was released in January 2007, and is one of Paul’s favoured styles of beer.[/FONT][FONT=Arial] [/FONT][FONT=Arial][U]Tasting Notes:[/U][/FONT][FONT=Arial]Appearance - a pale straw coloured beer. 10% wheat malt added to the grist supplies a generous clinging head.[/FONT] 
[FONT=Arial]Aroma - a true lager yeast fermented at low temperatures provides the characteristic characteristics of a bohemian pilsner. Generous additions on New Zealand Motueka and Riwaka hops provide a new world twist to this ancient classic. This is a [/FONT][FONT=Arial][I]very[/I][/FONT][FONT=Arial] hoppy lager.[/FONT] 
[FONT=Arial][I]Particularly Luscious.[/I][/FONT] 
[FONT=Arial][B][U]AWARDS:[/U][/B][/FONT] 
[FONT=Arial]> Awarded [/FONT][FONT=Arial][B]‘CHAMPION INTERNATIONAL LAGER’[/B][/FONT][FONT=Arial], BrewNZ 2010[/FONT] 
[FONT=Arial] - [/FONT][FONT=Arial][U]Gold Medal[/U][/FONT][FONT=Arial] in NZ Pilsner Class, & Trophy for International Lager category[/FONT] 
[FONT=Arial]> Named in ‘Top 12 New Zealand Beers’ - Capital Times Beer Necessities Survey 2010. [/FONT] 
[FONT=Arial]Neil Millers Annual Top 10 NZ Beers (2010)[/FONT] 
[FONT=Arial]> Rated 5 Stars by Bob Campbell, Master Of Wine[/FONT] 
[/QUOTE]

Tim

Thanks dude. Definitely looking forward to trying that in January! <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> 
 
aside: cracking up that old Bob Campbell master of wine is horning in on the beer action too. Is he a genuine supporter or an opportunist?

taniwharugby

the Croucher Bros were exporting some of their brews to the US, went and tried some of their drops at their humble set-up in Rotovegas last year, even a new one that they said was unlikely to be sold.

Chris B.

[URL]http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/country/new-zealand/148/[/URL] 
 
Dunno if anyone has posted this "Rate beer" site for NZ (and other countries) - I just came across it. Judging by the comments of the raters there's some pretty serious people helping score these beers. Maybe that's why the Stouts are coming out on top! 
 
Good to see the Renaissance beers doing well - they're my favourites.

Chris B.

I've done a bit more research and it seems that 8wired is the Brewers Guild of NZ Champion Brewery for 2011, and it's an offshoot of Renaissance. Apparently, 
it's a hobby brand for Soren Erikson, who otherwise brews for Renaissance. I haven't come across 8wired at all - but, I'm going to be looking hard from now on. I've plumped for Renaissance here several times, so I'd better declare that I have no commercial interest - except thinking that they make bloody good beer. 
 
[URL]http://8wired.co.nz/[/URL] 
 
Seems like Epic is the other major brand at the top of the league.

Crucial

8wired is excellent. As a brand they come up with the ideas and use the Renaissance brewery to make it. 
Quality is excellent and the bonus is that they aren't copying another range but doing a tweak on everything

taniwharugby

[quote name='Crucial']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.[/QUOTE] 
 
Diverted my homeward journey from Auckland yesterday and picked me up some of this (along with the other I already tried and liked) as I had yet to sample it. 
 
I have to be in the right mood for this style, but I defo enjoyed it. 
 
Have some Croucher being sent up to me for Christmas too <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Crucial

TR, the 4 Square at Mangawhai Heads stocks Croucher (or at least it has for the last two summers)

taniwharugby

it's all good, my cousin in Vegas runs the Liquor King in Vegas and is mates with the Croucher Brothers <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Chris B.

In the ongoing search for drinkable light beers, I found some Namibian Windhoek light in the supermarket the other day. It had that hollow, metallic, pisswater taste that many light beers seem to have. I can't recommend it. 
 
I did, however, have some draught Bays Light Ale when out at dinner the other night and it seemed very good for light beer. But, I may just have been thirsty. <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> 
 
I'll have to find it in bottles and see whether it stands up. 
 
[URL]http://baysbrewery.co.nz/beer.html[/URL]

Tim

[quote name='Chris B.']In the ongoing search for drinkable light beers, I found some Namibian Windhoek light in the supermarket the other day. It had that hollow, metallic, pisswater taste that many light beers seem to have. I can't recommend it. 
 
I did, however, have some draught Bays Light Ale when out at dinner the other night and it seemed very good for light beer. But, I may just have been thirsty. <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> 
 
I'll have to find it in bottles and see whether it stands up. 
 
[URL]http://baysbrewery.co.nz/beer.html[/URL][/QUOTE] 
 
Pilsner Urquell (when it's absolutely fresh) is about the lightest good beer I drink. Some of the Helles style can be good too, but supply is unreliable. A good KÃ¶lsch might be just want you want, but again freshness is important and supply is typically unreliable.

Crucial

I have heard good reports about "two stoke" 2% from Stoke but yet to try it. 
 
Fully brewed with some alc removed afterward 
 
Might try some if I can find it.

taniwharugby

the only low alcohol I 'drink' is Amstel Light, but I might add, I tend not to drink light beer as most of it has that shitty tatse chris mentions above. 
 
I'd prefer a low carb option than a low alcohol one, but I drink to enjoy, so am not too fussed about the alcohol or carbs content <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

Chris B.

Pilsner Urquell is still 4.5-5% though isn't it? Getting it fresh in Nelson seems unlikely. I too usually go with the Amstel light. 
 
What I'm really looking for is something no more than 2.5% that you can drink a six pack at a BBQ and happily and legally drive home afterwards. 
 
I've picked up a six pack of 2 Stoke, Crucial. My first mouthful, I thought, "shit this is pretty good", but as I got into the bottle you certainly knew you were drinking a light beer. It's drinkable and certainly not bad for a light beer, but really comes across as hop flavoured water. Maybe it's impossible to make a low alcohol beer with any body?

Tim

Think it's 4.4%, so definitely too high for driving requirements.

Allstar

[quote name='Tim']A good KÃ¶lsch might be just want you want, but again freshness is important and supply is typically unreliable.[/QUOTE] 
 
You've found German KÃ¶lsch in New Zealand?? I have never seen any. I'd love to be able to find Hannen or Diebels Alt Bier in New Zealand, but I don't fancy my chances. 
 
Had a curry out west Auckland last night, and tried Haywards 5000. I really quite liked it, it went well with the food, and also had a bit of a kick to it (probably because it was 7% alcohol <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />) [url]http://www.sabmiller.in/brands_haywards_5000.html[/url]

Tim

[quote name='Allstar'][B]You've found German KÃ¶lsch in New Zealand??[/B] I have never seen any. I'd love to be able to find Hannen or Diebels Alt Bier in New Zealand, but I don't fancy my chances. 
 
Had a curry out west Auckland last night, and tried Haywards 5000. I really quite liked it, it went well with the food, and also had a bit of a kick to it (probably because it was 7% alcohol <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />) [URL]http://www.sabmiller.in/brands_haywards_5000.html[/URL][/QUOTE] 
 
Sadly no. It can be tough to get even in Denmark or the UK. Easy to find in NYC for some reason though.

Allstar

tried a couple of sips of 2 Stoke last night, for low alcohol beer, it isn't too bad. Still tastes bland compared to real beer though, maybe they could try and make it a bit 'hoppier' 
 
[quote name='Tim']Sadly no. It can be tough to get even in Denmark or the UK. Easy to find in NYC for some reason though.[/QUOTE] 
 
oops, didn't read your location properly. 
 
yeah, the last place I drank KÃ¶lsch was in New York in 2010.

Crucial

Further 2 Stoke report. 
 
Had a couple last night as I was driving and was quite happy to buy the second. Low alc beer will never have the same taste because of the lack of esters etc and I suspect that over hopping may not work as the balance wouldn't be there. 
Overall though, if I had to drink some or take a pack to a party I would be happy with the Stoke offering. 
 
Also supping on Croucher Pilsner straight off the ice at the moment. Very nice and the NZ hops hold up to the chilling. 
 
Mata's version of a Hoegaarden was on tap at the Waipu Pizza Barn and was very tasty.

Hooroo

My mate has started making Home brew in his Man Room and has made about 600 litres of different beers and by goodness can he make some crackers. Really tasty and easy to drink. He has had a couple of failures but in general, as good as you can buy. 
 
It may be becasuse of his water supply as he is a dairy farmer

The Silver Fern

Beer thread