Beer thread

taniwharugby

Thought I'd start a new one after sampling a superb offering from a micro-brewery in Matakana (Leigh Sawmill Brewery) on the Auckland side of halfway between Auckland and Whangarei. 
 
Got 4 different ones to try, and today I tried the Pale Ale, one of the best I have tasted in a long while! 
 
Mrs TR had bought some for me today, after I had been out and bought the new Tui Blond to try, I will have to try it on a clear palate, as it is rubbish in comparison to the Leigh Pale Ale. 
 
Looking at thier website ([url="http://www.sawmillbrewery.co.nz"]http://www.sawmillbrewery.co.nz[/url]) it is not available North of Matakana, nor south of a couple of stores in Auckland.

jegga

Have you come across this TR? [url="http://www.moabeer.co.nz/"]http://www.moabeer.co.nz/[/url] I saw it today at the supermarket, unfortunately the bloke giving away the samples was late and I didn't get to try it.

taniwharugby

not yet, but had heard it was a good drop, another is Tuatara?

jegga

Tuatara is very good, but bloody strong especially the Belgian type brew.Pretty pricey though, they did win a few awards last year . 
 
 
Monteiths and Macs have ciders out for summer, the Macs one is very nice if you like that sort of thing.

taniwharugby

not a cider person mineself. 
 
They had a cider at this Brewery as well.

MN5

WHat a great thread TR ! 
 
Tui blond is shit even compared to normal Tui if you ask me. Personally I'm amazed they've got TWO beers to choose from now. 
 
Yeah Cider seems to be the way people are going , not surprised Montys and Macs are getting on the bandwagon. Like yourself I'm not really a cider kinda guy though. 
 
Those microbrewery's do make some top drops Tuatara, Mikes Brewery ( based in taranaki so most likely not available up north ), Moa....a tiny bit more expensive but definitely worth it for a few quiets.

Chiefy

TR if you are looking for someone in Whangarei to get boutique beer or wine in for you try Cactus Liquor in the Regent. While I worked there they quite often ordered stuff like that in, sometimes just on a one-off basis.

raznomore

[quote name='taniwharugby']not a cider person mineself. 
 
They had a cider at this Brewery as well.[/quote] 
 
If its quality stuff cider can be a great alternative to beer. But man does it sneak up on you. 
 
I haven't had a quality micro brewery one though. 
 
It may be frowned upon but Cider and[u] ice[/u] on a summer day is the shit! 
 
Pretty handy link is this [url="http://www.realbeer.co.nz/nz_breweries/"]http://www.realbeer.co.nz/nz_breweries/[/url] if your planning a road trip for summer.

taniwharugby

[quote name='MN5']WHat a great thread TR ! 
 
Tui blond is shit even compared to normal Tui if you ask me. Personally I'm amazed they've got TWO beers to choose from now. 
 
Yeah Cider seems to be the way people are going , not surprised Montys and Macs are getting on the bandwagon. Like yourself I'm not really a cider kinda guy though. 
 
Those microbrewery's do make some top drops Tuatara, Mikes Brewery ( based in taranaki so most likely not available up north ), Moa....a tiny bit more expensive but definitely worth it for a few quiets.[/quote] 
 
Found some Mikes in New World up here, went down well! 
 
Cheers Chiefy, I'll keep that in mind.

mariner4life

For those in Australia, my new brew of choice is St Arnau Pilsener. It is crisp, and really tastes fucking amazing. It actually tastes like a European brew. Great stuff. 
 
Not cheap though.

Number8

If you blokes like cider, the best in the world is from the West Country. I was down in Bristol a couple of weekends ago and had some stuff called Cheddar Gorge. 
 
It was flouro orange and had an effect not dissimilar from the good bits of concussion. It was sold to me by a buxom barmaid in a pub called the Apple, which is a moored up barge that sells about a dozen different varieties. 
 
I was as happy as a dog with two cocks. 
 
On a beer related note, I live around the corner from a pub that brews its own beer called the Fat Cat and if any of you blokes ever find yourself in this isolated region you should go there - I'll get you a Wild Cat IPA, great stuff

MN5

On second thought given that we're getting a bit warmer down here in the capital I may try a sixer of cider for shits and giggles one avo. Macs or Monty's depending on whichever one I see first. 
 
I can imagine the effects do sneak up on you at a great rate of knots.

Catogrande

Was a beer connesouir back in the day and the best I can remember was one from the Welsh Borders called Penhros - an absolute top notch pint. Other than that I was weaned on Wadworths and Fullers and a pint of London Pride drunk within five miles of Chiswick is very hard to beat. 
 
Having said that I spent a few days in Bruges a couple of years ago and the range and quality of beers there was outstanding. Seemingly nothing under 6% though.... 
 
Happy days xzxgood

dogmeat

Pride is a fantastic drop Cato xzxdrinks as is ESB IMO. 
 
TR did you go to Sawmuill Cafe. If not well worth the diversion off SH1 for anyione who has the time. Its a good music venue too. 
 
New World supermarkets generally have a good selection of boutique bottled beers. Not just in Ajkl but also in the regional centres. Certainly you'll get the Emersons, Muikes, Moa's etc in almost if not all the ones I've been to. 
 
Been enjoying some Harrington's of late [url="http://harringtonsbreweries.co.nz/products.html"]http://harringtonsbreweries.co.nz/products.html[/url] rogue hop and APA in particular.

MN5

[quote name='dogmeat']Pride is a fantastic drop Cato xzxdrinks as is ESB IMO. 
 
TR did you go to Sawmuill Cafe. If not well worth the diversion off SH1 for anyione who has the time. Its a good music venue too. 
 
New World supermarkets generally have a good selection of boutique bottled beers. Not just in Ajkl but also in the regional centres. Certainly you'll get the Emersons, Muikes, Moa's etc in almost if not all the ones I've been to. 
 
Been enjoying some Harrington's of late [url="http://harringtonsbreweries.co.nz/products.html"]http://harringtonsbreweries.co.nz/products.html[/url] rogue hop and APA in particular.[/quote] 
 
Another good one well worth a go is Founders brewery. These guys are based in Nelson and I particularly enjoy their Black and Red beers.

cd_wilson

[quote name='mariner4life']For those in Australia, my new brew of choice is St Arnau Pilsener. It is crisp, and really tastes fucking amazing. It actually tastes like a European brew. Great stuff. 
 
Not cheap though.[/quote] 
 
Have you tried Coopers '62 - it is a plisner and very nice ...

taniwharugby

[quote name='dogmeat']Pride is a fantastic drop Cato xzxdrinks as is ESB IMO. 
 
TR did you go to Sawmuill Cafe. If not well worth the diversion off SH1 for anyione who has the time. Its a good music venue too. 
 
New World supermarkets generally have a good selection of boutique bottled beers. Not just in Ajkl but also in the regional centres. Certainly you'll get the Emersons, Muikes, Moa's etc in almost if not all the ones I've been to. 
 
Been enjoying some Harrington's of late [url="http://harringtonsbreweries.co.nz/products.html"]http://harringtonsbreweries.co.nz/products.html[/url] rogue hop and APA in particular.[/quote] 
 
Nah, Mrs TR picked them up for me from the Matakana Market day, but looking at thier webiste, it might worth a visit.

taffyjoe

[quote name='cd_wilson'][quote name='mariner4life']For those in Australia, my new brew of choice is St Arnau Pilsener. It is crisp, and really tastes fucking amazing. It actually tastes like a European brew. Great stuff. 
 
Not cheap though.[/quote] 
 
Have you tried Coopers '62 - it is a plisner and very nice ...[/quote] 
 
James Squires if your in Sydney was worth the look, especially the Amber Ale.

mariner4life

yep Taffy, in 02-05 when i was in Sydney a heap, i used to devour that Amber Ale by the pint at various pubs around the Rocks. Great stuff, although when i have it now, it is just to "heavy" for my tastes the days. Especially in the heat up here. 
 
And i'll keep an eye out for that Coopers cd, i am sure Dan Murphies will have it at a decent price.

taniwharugby

had the other 3 types from Leigh Sawmill Brewery. 
 
Pilsner - another great drop, clean crisp taste and flavours, not as sstrong tasting as some. 
Crystal Wheat beer - havent had alot of wheat beers, and nothing like as sweet as the other wheat beer I have had recently, Erdinger, but again, a good drop. 
Thornycraft dark ale - a strong flavoured dark ale. 
 
All in all, all of them are well worth it, Pale Ale was my fave, but would certainly drink all again!

Allstar

that Tui Blond is pish water. I was quite disappointed with it to be honest. Still tastes as mass produced as ever. 
 
must go and buy some more random boutique beers when summer is heading up. Tried one the other week (Liquorland on Albert St in Palmy has the best around here), but i'm damned if I remember what it was eusa_think

taniwharugby

I still have 11 Tui Blond left..may have to buy somethign else and save the Tui for guests xzxdrinks

MN5

[quote name='taniwharugby']I still have 11 Tui Blond left..may have to buy somethign else and save the Tui for [b]guests [/b]xzxdrinks[/quote] 
 
.....save it for ones who won't leave. That'll do it ! 
 
TR I note you mention Erdinger, what a fantastic drop that is ! xzxgood

taniwharugby

tried another wheat beer (weissbier) last night, Koenig Ludwig. 
 
Excellent drop, with an interesting flavour, well worth trying.

Chiefy

[quote name='MN5'][quote name='taniwharugby']I still have 11 Tui Blond left..may have to buy somethign else and save the Tui for [b]guests [/b]xzxdrinks[/quote] 
 
.....save it for ones who won't leave. That'll do it ! 
 
[b]TR I note you mention Erdinger, what a fantastic drop that is ! xzxgood[/b][/quote] 
 
I second that. It's always a good night when the Erdingers come out...expensive, but good! 
 
My old boss recently had his 40th, managed to convince his sales rep to sell him 2 Erdinger kegs that are normally reserved for premium on premise outlets...needless to say, a very good night!!

MN5

[quote name='Chiefy'][quote name='MN5'][quote name='taniwharugby']I still have 11 Tui Blond left..may have to buy somethign else and save the Tui for [b]guests [/b]xzxdrinks[/quote] 
 
.....save it for ones who won't leave. That'll do it ! 
 
[b]TR I note you mention Erdinger, what a fantastic drop that is ! xzxgood[/b][/quote] 
 
I second that. It's always a good night when the Erdingers come out...expensive, but good! 
 
My old boss recently had his 40th, managed to convince his sales rep to sell him 2 Erdinger kegs that are normally reserved for premium on premise outlets...needless to say, a very good night!![/quote] 
 
Fucken aye ! you sure know when it's your round if you're doing Erdingers. A group of us won a bar tab this year at St Johns in Welly ( 6 of us won $50 each ) but 6 Erdingers costs more than the tab ! 
 
Its hard to find, I've never seen it in the supermarket. 2 kegs of Erdinger at a shin dig ? it doesn't get any better than that.

Chiefy

[quote name='MN5'][quote name='Chiefy'][quote name='MN5'][quote name='taniwharugby']I still have 11 Tui Blond left..may have to buy somethign else and save the Tui for [b]guests [/b]xzxdrinks[/quote] 
 
.....save it for ones who won't leave. That'll do it ! 
 
[b]TR I note you mention Erdinger, what a fantastic drop that is ! xzxgood[/b][/quote] 
 
I second that. It's always a good night when the Erdingers come out...expensive, but good! 
 
My old boss recently had his 40th, managed to convince his sales rep to sell him 2 Erdinger kegs that are normally reserved for premium on premise outlets...needless to say, a very good night!![/quote] 
 
Fucken aye ! you sure know when it's your round if you're doing Erdingers. A group of us won a bar tab this year at St Johns in Welly ( 6 of us won $50 each ) but 6 Erdingers costs more than the tab ! 
 
Its hard to find, I've never seen it in the supermarket. 2 kegs of Erdinger at a shin dig ? it doesn't get any better than that.[/quote] 
 
Nah I don't think you would find it in the supermarket, we used to sell it at my old work...$28 for a 6-pk or (obviously) $56 for a 12-pk. Very hard sell to people that hadn't tried it before! Most of the buyers were German ex pats. 
 
Their is a bar in Whangarei that does 500ml glasses of Erdinger for $7...a very good way to get your night started

MN5

[quote name='Chiefy'][quote name='MN5'][quote name='Chiefy'][quote name='MN5'][quote name='taniwharugby']I still have 11 Tui Blond left..may have to buy somethign else and save the Tui for [b]guests [/b]xzxdrinks[/quote] 
 
.....save it for ones who won't leave. That'll do it ! 
 
[b]TR I note you mention Erdinger, what a fantastic drop that is ! xzxgood[/b][/quote] 
 
I second that. It's always a good night when the Erdingers come out...expensive, but good! 
 
My old boss recently had his 40th, managed to convince his sales rep to sell him 2 Erdinger kegs that are normally reserved for premium on premise outlets...needless to say, a very good night!![/quote] 
 
Fucken aye ! you sure know when it's your round if you're doing Erdingers. A group of us won a bar tab this year at St Johns in Welly ( 6 of us won $50 each ) but 6 Erdingers costs more than the tab ! 
 
Its hard to find, I've never seen it in the supermarket. 2 kegs of Erdinger at a shin dig ? it doesn't get any better than that.[/quote] 
 
Nah I don't think you would find it in the supermarket, we used to sell it at my old work...$28 for a 6-pk or (obviously) $56 for a 12-pk. Very hard sell to people that hadn't tried it before! Most of the buyers were German ex pats. 
 
Their is a bar in Whangarei that does 500ml glasses of Erdinger for $7...a very good way to get your night started[/quote] 
 
I can't remember who got me onto Erdinger but I'm glad they did ! it really makes other decent beers taste like Double brown in comparison if you make the mistake of having a couple then something else straight after.

taniwharugby

[quote name='Chiefy'][quote name='MN5'][quote name='Chiefy'][quote name='MN5'][quote name='taniwharugby']I still have 11 Tui Blond left..may have to buy somethign else and save the Tui for [b]guests [/b]xzxdrinks[/quote] 
 
.....save it for ones who won't leave. That'll do it ! 
 
[b]TR I note you mention Erdinger, what a fantastic drop that is ! xzxgood[/b][/quote] 
 
I second that. It's always a good night when the Erdingers come out...expensive, but good! 
 
My old boss recently had his 40th, managed to convince his sales rep to sell him 2 Erdinger kegs that are normally reserved for premium on premise outlets...needless to say, a very good night!![/quote] 
 
Fucken aye ! you sure know when it's your round if you're doing Erdingers. A group of us won a bar tab this year at St Johns in Welly ( 6 of us won $50 each ) but 6 Erdingers costs more than the tab ! 
 
Its hard to find, I've never seen it in the supermarket. 2 kegs of Erdinger at a shin dig ? it doesn't get any better than that.[/quote] 
 
Nah I don't think you would find it in the supermarket, we used to sell it at my old work...$28 for a 6-pk or (obviously) $56 for a 12-pk. Very hard sell to people that hadn't tried it before! Most of the buyers were German ex pats. 
 
Their is a bar in Whangarei that does 500ml glasses of Erdinger for $7...a very good way to get your night started[/quote] 
 
assume you are talking Butterbank? Was Butter Factory where I got the Koenig one, the stairway between the 2 is almost complete, both have a superb range of beers, including one of my faves, Peroni.

Allstar

Woolies/Countdown are selling Krombacher for a $18/doz this week, an absolute steal xzxdrinks

Chiefy

Yep Butterbank TR. Koenig is quite nice too. Peroni is great, on tap at Bbank I think. You're right about the range, both are a must stop if I am out and about in Whangarei. The stairway will be great, will be a good little complex when its finished (not to mention, you won't have to walk around the block to get to either one!) Keep an eye at the Supermarket for Peroni TR, I bought a 12 box from Pak 'N' Save recently for about $20

Crucial

Of the NZ boutiques I take my hat off to those brewers giving us a variety of good brews to sample. Some are better than others and many aren't worth the boutique price but it's still fun trying. For my money though nothing beats Emersons. Richard Emerson is a true master at what he does which is brew quality beers and ales. If you haven't savoured his stuff you are missing out. All the varieties are good and if you are lucky enough at the right time of the year you can get some 'Taieri George', his rememberance brew for his father. It is heaven in a glass.

Allstar

[quote name='Chiefy']Yep Butterbank TR. Koenig is quite nice too. Peroni is great, on tap at Bbank I think. You're right about the range, both are a must stop if I am out and about in Whangarei. The stairway will be great, will be a good little complex when its finished (not to mention, you won't have to walk around the block to get to either one!) Keep an eye at the Supermarket for Peroni TR, I bought a 12 box from Pak 'N' Save recently for about $20[/quote] 
 
I tried some Italian beer once, might have even been Peroni, never again. They should stick to making wine I thought. 
 
Yes, Emersons is great. Treat myself to a bottle now and then. One is enough to really enjoy it, and you feel like you've had a beer too.

Chris B.

I've recommended it before - but, Renaissance brewery in Marlborough is putting out a limited range of outstanding beers.

Scorz

[quote name='Allstar'][quote name='Chiefy']Yep Butterbank TR. Koenig is quite nice too. Peroni is great, on tap at Bbank I think. You're right about the range, both are a must stop if I am out and about in Whangarei. The stairway will be great, will be a good little complex when its finished (not to mention, you won't have to walk around the block to get to either one!) Keep an eye at the Supermarket for Peroni TR, I bought a 12 box from Pak 'N' Save recently for about $20[/quote] 
 
I tried some Italian beer once, might have even been Peroni, never again. They should stick to making wine I thought. 
 
Yes, Emersons is great. Treat myself to a bottle now and then. One is enough to really enjoy it, and you feel like you've had a beer too.[/quote] 
Can't have been Peroni, that's a nice beer. 
 
Krombacher (sp?) is a good Kraut bier, step up from Lowenbrau. I wish Stiegl (Austrian) was available here. xzxdrinks

taniwharugby

It probably is Scorz, you just havent found where it is... 
 
I mean the Koenig I had was imported by a unknown outfit in Kerikeri, while it is likely available elsewhere, it is entirely possible some place imports it specially for some local pub or something?? 
 
Nastro Azzuro is made by Peroni and is a good drop also. 
 
I see Speights have entered the low alcohol market as well; Traverse...only low alcohol beer I drink is Amstel Light, have yet to find another I like

Crucial

I'm keen on finding a good low-alcohol drop for the summer. Comes in useful at BBQs or get togethers where you want to have a few but may need to drive or last a while. Something just under 3% can usually be processed by the body (with food) without accumulating in the bloodstream. The taste of beer without getting impaired.

taniwharugby

the Macs one is utter shite, as is Steinlager Edge.

Allstar

I was feeling rich (don't know why really), so I want and got myself some [url=http://epicbeer.com/epic-armageddon-ipa/]Epic Armageddon IPA[/url] (India Pale Ale). Man that's some good stuff. So rich in flavours, and very very tasty. Not something you'd buy every day though, as it's about $10/bottle (500ml) 
 
Also got a 4 pack of Mikes ale. That also hit the spot. Very malty tasting, and almost caramel. I'd almost class it as a dark beer by flavour. 
 
People who spend their whole lives drinking pish water like Tui, Export, Lion Red are really missing out. There are so many good beers (a lot local too) out there that you can sit down and enjoy. You often don't need a more than one, as it is strong enough to get the desired effect and you can still enjoy the taste.

Crucial

Tuatara Ardennes is in my glass at present. Has that orange/clove background like alot of Belgian styles and adepth of flavour but not too heavy. Good mouth feel too, which I find is much of the enjoyment.

TSF

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