Beer thread

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

Chris B.

I've bought a second six pack of 2 Stoke and put it in the fridge - so that has to tell me something. I also bought a six pack of Boundary Road Bouncing Czech pilsener, of which I drank one the other night and thought it was very nice. Needs more sampling yet though. 
 
I also had an Emersons Bookbinder at a cafe yesterday, which seemed bloody great, but I had just completed a brutal MTB ride and was possibly near death - I suspect a Lion red with a dash of cat piss added would have seemed pretty good. <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Allstar

Epic have two newish beers out at the moment. Larger and Flying Nun 30th Anniversary 
 
The Larger is 8.5% but still very lagery tasting. This meant that it did hit me about half way through the bottle. Nice drop though. 
 
Flying Nun wasn't too bad either, it wasn't as great though. I have high expectations of Epic beers now. 
 
Does anyone else use Untappd?? I'm on there, it's quite fun.

Paekakboyz

[url="http://garageproject.co.nz/BEERS"]http://garageproject.co.nz/BEERS[/url] 
 
Some awesome beers! Tastes like war!!

nostrildamus

[url="http://www.travelindex.co.nz/westcoast/pubs/mahinapua.htm"]http://www.travelindex.co.nz/westcoast/pubs/mahinapua.htm[/url] 
do they sell hookers ale anywhere else? I am a fan!

nostrildamus

[url="http://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/36299/season-low-alcohol-beers"]http://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/36299/season-low-alcohol-beers[/url] 
for Chris B, it may be a little out of date though. 
According to the article you should stick to 2.5%, below that, it is basically water. 
Oh and Stoke is at Glengarrys [url="http://www.glengarrywines.co.nz/lowalcohol.jsp"]http://www.glengarrywines.co.nz/lowalcohol.jsp[/url] 
According to Beer awards, the "Champion Reduced & Low Alcohol Beer" for 2010 was Redoak Bitter from NSW.[url="http://www.beerawards.com/pdfs/2010_AIBA_Winners_Announcement_Release.pdf"]http://www.beerawards.com/pdfs/2010_AIBA_Winners_Announcement_Release.pdf[/url]

Chris B.

Thanks nostril - that ODT article is a good summary. 
 
Didn't realise the Bookbinder was only 3.5% - will have to try it again. Haven't come across Harry's Light.

Crucial

Bookbinder is a good one to remember, especially for a lunctime meal when travelling. One bottle at 500ml and 3.5% with food is a good 'safe' amount for driving afterwards. Nice beer too, goes well with food. 
I have seen a few places that have realised this and promote it as a lower alcohol option on their menu.

nostrildamus

[quote name='Chris B.' timestamp='1337047182' post='286166'] 
Thanks nostril - that ODT article is a good summary. 
 
Didn't realise the Bookbinder was only 3.5% - will have to try it again. Haven't come across Harry's Light. 
[/quote] 
Chris B, I had your problem (when I lived in NZ, a country that allows people to afford cars..) so I would try to remember a lighter beer and a juice in between or something, my guess was it would help flush the extra alcohol out quicker and give more time between alcohol intake but I am sure my theory is as scientific a theory as a typical fern posting..plus if the beer is good I do run the danger of forgetting to alternate..

taniwharugby

I have had 5 5-6% beers and been under the adult limit in NZ, however if I am driving, I will only have 4 5% beers but will match it with similar volume of water. 
 
Havent tried any new beers for a while, must go on the hunt for something!

Crucial

Just supping through a 6 pack of Boundary Rd Mumbo Jumbo. At $13.99 it is a bargain. Similar in style to the more expensive kiwi IPAs just a touch lighter on the expensive hops but still plenty of hop flavours

Allstar

Had fun at Regional Wine and Spirits today. Tried a new NZ craft beer tonight - Dale's Belgian Pale Ale. I reckon Daleâ€™s Brewing Co. might be one to watch. RWS had it on tap.

Allstar

Epic have a few new ones out - First Batch IPA, a typical hoppy brew from Epic. Also there one called 'Message in a Bottle', quite malty, almost a bit of a porter taste about it. Certainly not the usual hoppy Epic taste I'm used to. 
 
Also, popped in to Thorndon New World the other day and picked up a [url="http://www.wellingtonnz.com/know_wellington_in_a_pint"]Wellington In A Pint[/url] pack. 4 beers named after well known Wellington icons. Only tried the Cook Strait so far, a bit smoky for my taste.

Crucial

I must try that 'Message in a Bottle'. I'm a fan of the quality of Epic but rather sick of the overkill of IPAs and overhopping that is the signature of most NZ craft brews. 
 
It's probably sacrilege to dis the great Kiwi IPA but for me it's become too much of a good thing. When done really well I love the flavours but not overkill of NZ hops (such as in Croucher Pilsner). 
 
I like a bit more variety and deeper flavours, but luckily there are quite a few beers around doing that as well. 
 
I quite like Smoky Beers when balanced well and one of my favs is Smokin' Bishop. I think they are food beers though and drinking them solo is missing the point. 
 
8Wired have just released a Double Coffe Brown Ale that sounds worth a try.

Tim

[quote name='Crucial' timestamp='1344728612' post='303691'] 
I must try that 'Message in a Bottle'. I'm a fan of the quality of Epic but rather sick of the overkill of IPAs and overhopping that is the signature of most NZ craft brews. 
 
It's probably sacrilege to dis the great Kiwi IPA but for me it's become too much of a good thing. When done really well I love the flavours but not overkill of NZ hops (such as in Croucher Pilsner). 
 
I like a bit more variety and deeper flavours, but luckily there are quite a few beers around doing that as well. 
 
I quite like Smoky Beers when balanced well and one of my favs is Smokin' Bishop. I think they are food beers though and drinking them solo is missing the point. 
 
8Wired have just released a Double Coffe Brown Ale that sounds worth a try. 
[/quote] 
 
Yeah, I've had a couple of kiwi craft brew pilsners this year that may as well have been IPA's - just too much of the "big hop" flavour.

Allstar

Beervana is on in Wellington this weekend. Anyone else going? I'm going the Saturday afternoon session

nostrildamus

[quote name='Allstar' timestamp='1325242493' post='264998'] 
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]http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.png[/img]) [url="http://www.sabmiller.in/brands_haywards_5000.html"]http://www.sabmiller...wards_5000.html[/url] 
[/quote] 
Been to Hallertau at Riverhead and tried their KÃ¶lsch (no umlaut though)? [url="http://www.hallertau.co.nz/beer/"]http://www.hallertau.co.nz/beer/[/url]?

The Silver Fern

Beer thread