Beer thread
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Got myself a bottle of Yeastie Boys' Rex Attitude (Peat-smoked Strong Golden Ale). They have taken this whole peated malt to a whole new level. As the lady at Liquorland said, you'll either love it or hate it.<br />
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The concept is great, but it just didn't hit the spot for me. The smoky taste was almost overwhelming, and a bit much for me personally. Good on them for trying something new though. -
If you want to try something a little more subdued then the 8-Wired Big Smoke Porter is a very nice drop. The smokiness doesn't overwhelm but adds a nice dimension.<br />
It's the Peat in Rex Attitude that gives it the 'OTT' taste. Those that enjoy Islay Whiskies know the flavour well and can take it. Otherwise, I agree, it's far too strong for more than a taste. -
Celebrated today's win with a pint of Adnam's NZ hops Pale Ale.<br />
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[URL]http://adnams.co.uk/beer/new-zealand-pale-ale-4-0-abv[/URL] -
[quote name='Tim']Celebrated today's win with a pint of Adnam's NZ hops Pale Ale.<br />
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[URL]http://adnams.co.uk/beer/new-zealand-pale-ale-4-0-abv[/URL][/QUOTE]<br />
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I'm curious about this. Was it very 'hoppy' or just a distinctive hop flavour?<br />
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Great that they are using Sauvin hops and all, but the term 'NZ Pale Ale" is starting to mean the very strongly NZ variety hopped IPAs over here.(eg Epic Armageddon) -
[quote name='Crucial']I'm curious about this. Was it very 'hoppy' or just a distinctive hop flavour?<br />
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Great that they are using Sauvin hops and all, but the term 'NZ Pale Ale" is starting to mean the very strongly NZ variety hopped IPAs over here.(eg Epic Armageddon)[/QUOTE]<br />
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It wasn't super hoppy, like one of the big US IPA's, but it had a nice, distinctive and fairly bold flavour, and a drier, hoppier taste/after-taste than light pale ales usually do.<br />
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They also do a "green bullet" ale with that NZ hop variety too. (Haven't been able to try it as it's tapped out.)<br />
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[url]http://adnams.co.uk/beer/the-beers/green-bullet[/url]<br />
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[url]http://www.nzhops.co.nz/varieties/green_bullet.html[/url] -
Fat Yak. Enjoyable anywhere outside the depths of winter where I prefer something a bit stronger. Out of the bottle its OK, but of course benefits from the glass.<br />
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I'm about to jump back into a case of Hoegaarden I got for a steal online. I never get sick of it. If you're ever in Sydney, look up Epoque/Belgian Beer Cafe either in the CBD or just out of North Sydney. It is, without doubt, heaven on earth. -
Scöfferhofer Hefeweizen - if you like wheat beer, which I do.
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I have been trying some of the range from Boundary Road Brewing. I would place it between the craft brewers and mainstream ones in a similar fashion to Stoke. That means its priced well but has flavor and is not mass produced malt beverage which is a bonus considering that the brewery is owned by Asahi and is also where the local brewing of Carlsberg, kingfisher and Tuborg is done.<br />
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The Flying Fortress Nz Pale Ale is similar to NTAs fab Fat Yak. Definite hop flavours and a tasty drop.<br />
For opening after a bit of work outside the Grizzly Beer is surprising good. It's a true beer but brewed with ginger added. Not as sweet as an alcoholic Ginger Beer due to the slight bitterness underneath. If you like the odd GB you will find this very easy going. -
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] )<br />
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This quite a refreshing dark beer with complex flavours <br />
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THE ‘DOCTOR’<br />
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.<br />
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Edit: as a bonus it comes in swing top bottles for my next batch of Manuka smoked jalapeño BBQ sauce!<br />
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Edit2: this is now my favourite beer (until the next fab comes along) -
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=';)' /><br />
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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! -
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.<br />
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Can anyone recommend any others to try while I am there? -
[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=';)' /><br />
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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]<br />
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I thought you had mentioned it!<br />
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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.<br />
Leigh is still a commercial fishing and deadbeat hangout though, so it's alright. -
[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.<br />
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Can anyone recommend any others to try while I am there?[/QUOTE]<br />
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 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] <br />
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Thanks Antipodean - unfortunately not going outside of Tokyo, Kyoto or Hakone this trip. Will try to find some small establishments with local brews -
[quote name='Crucial']I thought you had mentioned it!<br />
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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.<br />
Leigh is still a commercial fishing and deadbeat hangout though, so it's alright.[/QUOTE]<br />
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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=';)' /> <br />
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Doesnt Snowy live out in Leigh/Pakiri somehwere? -
Japan actually has amazing Craft Beer which is something that suprises me when their 'common' beer is just unhopped malt beverage.<br />
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Google up 'Craft Beer Japan' and you will find plenty of information.<br />
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Baird Brewing is one of the best. See this from the Hasigo Zake website...<br />
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[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.<br />
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.<br />
In the 2010 World Beer Cup Baird caused a sensation by winning three gold medals – the most of any brewery.<br />
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see also [URL]http://bairdbeer.com/en/taproom[/URL] for locations in Japan -
An article on japanese craft beer, from this very thread:<br />
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[url]http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/showthread.php/9503-Beer-thread?p=285089&viewfull=1#post285089[/url] -
Friday evening beverage update.<br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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Have another Sawmill to try too.
