Beer thread
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<p>Lucky Barnya...</p>
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<p><span style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/max-bania-my-quest-beervana-6061393'>http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/max-bania-my-quest-beervana-6061393</a></span></span></p> -
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' data-author="Tim" data-cid="446734" data-time="1408594603"><p>Tried and enjoyed a few pints of 8 Wired's "Semiconductor Session Pale Ale". They are opening their own brewery in Warkworth soon. <br />
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Also enjoyed a bottle of Hallertau's kolsch. Not really tasting like a kolsch, but pleasant and fruity.</p></blockquote>
Yeah, the guy from No 8 Wired is moving his whole operation up from Nelson for family reasons. Has been living up there for a while already apparently. <br />
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Agree on the Kölsch. Doesn't really follow the usual flavour, but is nice enough in its own right. Tried it for the first time tonight too. -
A few recents<br /><br />Tuatara Black Series Choc Stout - probably wouldn't chase it down again. Didn't quite mesh. No wow factor. <br /><br />Tuatara Nui APA - overload of US hops. Quite good, would have again. Similar to Panhead APA. <br /><br />Kereru For Even Greater Justice Toasted Coconut Porter - the "imperial" version of the usual one brewed for Beervana and win a gold. Picked up a rigger of this from the brewery to take to the mountain and scoffed the lot in one sitting. The upping of the ingredients really works and it became richer, thicker, and yummier. Was like a less sweet version of a bounty bar. If you can get it (still some on tap at the brewery) it's worth the trip to Upper Hutt.
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A few recents<br /><br />Tuatara Black Series Choc Stout - probably wouldn't chase it down again. Didn't quite mesh. No wow factor. <br /><br />Tuatara Nui APA - overload of US hops. Quite good, would have again. Similar to Panhead APA. <br /><br />Kereru For Even Greater Justice Toasted Coconut Porter - the "imperial" version of the usual one brewed for Beervana and win a gold. Picked up a rigger of this from the brewery to take to the mountain and scoffed the lot in one sitting. The upping of the ingredients really works and it became richer, thicker, and yummier. Was like a less sweet version of a bounty bar. If you can get it (still some on tap at the brewery) it's worth the trip to Upper Hutt.
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<p>A few more impressions (sadly my NZ beer drinking was curtailed by a bout of Chickenpox(!)).<br><br>
Tuatara Helles - nice drop, pretty good balance between "bigger"/fruity hop flavours and crispness. Not exceptional though. Did not care for their pilsner - overblown "big" hop bloom.<br><br>
Czechmate pilsner - not worth describing.<br><br>
Croucher Brothers pilsner - very good, nice balance of crispness and hop bite. Had two at the end of a session, and should probably try it again when I am fresher myself. ;)<br><br>
8 Wired Brettanomyces beer. Apparently this is a new beer from them. Very nice, which was a surprise. The sour flavours were fairly subtle, and it was a nice, smooth half glass of beer.<br><br>
Harringtons Pilsner - quite good, but nothing special. A bit on the fruity side.<br><br>
Hawkes Bay Independent Brewery Pilsner - probably the pick of the bunch. Very smooth, with enough bite/crispness, and a subtle hop bloom. May be a bit light for some tastes. I would prefer just a bit more bitterness and slightly stronger hop flavours. Recommended. Their "Lager" was nice too. Lighter and very smooth. Little bit lacking in the hop department.<br><br>
Will try to sample some more from Hawkes Bay Independent Brewery, as well as the Crouchers again, and some from Emersons and Hallertau.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="450581" data-time="1410578542"><p>Hawkes Bay Independent Brewery Special Reserve Summer Ale: absolutely revolting. Worst beer I've tasted in years.</p></blockquote>
It never was great but you've probably also had a bottle stored badly for a year. It's seasonal and the last batch was probably nearly a year ago. -
Just tried Yeastie Boys 2013 PKB remix. PKB is a favorite but this was a bit insipid. Probably also not aged well. <br>
Now on Hop Federation American Brown Ale. Quite tasty. I do like brown ales being a malt over hops fan. <br>
Btw the basic looking liquor store at Ohakune has a little treasure trove in their beer chiller. An unexpected find and a bonus on a day the ski field isn't open. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Milk" data-cid="451367" data-time="1410790814">
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<p>Autumn/'fall' here on the East Coast, which means it's time for pumpkin everything, especially pumpkin beer. One of my locals has five different pumpkin beers <strong><em>on tap</em></strong>.</p>
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<p>For those in NZ, watch out for Rennaisance Brewing's Great Punkin' in the autumn (I have seen some around at the moment, but would only buy it from places where it has obviously sat in a chiller since purchase (then let it come up to a better temp). As per some of the beers discussed above, a seasonal brew sitting in a warm supermarket runs risk of spoil.</p>
