BEER & SPIRITS
Because there’s more to a good drinks list than just wine.
Ithink I’m in good company when I suggest a glass of cold brew after mowing the lawn is a great idea, but sipping on a great beer while tending a barbecue is also enjoyable. Judging in beer competitions is tough work because the range of styles, colour, head, subtlety and texture are all important factors in discovering a great drink. With more than 220 breweries dotted around Aotearoa, finding a range of brews to explore or keep coming back to is a lot harder than finding the right wine. Everything from the water source to flavour additions and range of hops available means we can take our time, plan and explore knowing we won’t run out of excellent choices. The titles of some beers are the fun part of the experience and a reminder not to get too serious about it.
A spirit is the distillate of any fermented beverage. Quality comes from the attention to detail with the number of times a spirit is distilled, any botanicals used and ageing. Whatever your spirit of choice, it is usually the aromatics that are the most important.
Emerson’s Bookbinder Session Ale
A British-style anytime brew with a balanced blend of malt and hops, a touch of spice and fleshy stone-fruit moments. If you’re hungry, this might make matters worse with its delicious dry finish.
Sprig & Fern Scotch Ale
More than a mouthful of flavours here with layers of malty richness, sweet sugar and spice. Coffee, caramel and soft brown sugar flavours with a smooth rounded texture and a full-bodied richness.
Wigram Jetpack Double IPA
An American-style double IPA with flavours of tropical fruit and soft brown sugar. There’s no mistaking the ripe hop hit, and there’s a touch of pine and caramel. Serve at around 8°C for best enjoyment.
Sawmill Pilsner
The oatmeal and Kiwi-grown hoppy layers will grab your attention first. Then, after the first swallow, citrus, tart tropical fruits and dry herb notes will add the flavours that make this brew special.
Zeelandt Black Monk
A German black lager that is quite elegant as far as a beer can be because of its smooth mouthfeel. There are malty flavours, some cacao notes and definitely a touch of coffee. Clean with a dry finish. Serve at 7-9°C.
Renaissance Elemental Porter
Known as the beer of choice for workers in the ‘ole times’ of London’s produce markets, this porter has a foundation of weight and richness, then flavours of chocolatey malt and roasted grains.
Three Boys Wheat
I love this kind of beer, with a citrus and grainy herb aroma and palate. There are some spicy notes coming from the European yeast and green bullet and Motueka hops. It’s dry, tasty and hoppy. Serve at 6°C.
Parrotdog Falcon Pale Ale
Fruit flavours laced with hops, key lime and apple, some zest and a core of malty, yeasty sweetness. The hops provide the contrast leading to a long, satisfying bitter beer finish.
Sunshine Brewing Summer XPA
There’s no mistaking the fruity side of this brew, reminding me of amazing fruit platters on cruise ships. Some hop and malt notes, but these are mild and it finishes with a citrus burst.
Panhead Pilsner
Classic pilsner full of lightness, freshness and crunch with flavours of tropical fruit and citrus, some dried herb savouriness and clean fresh malty yeasty flavours. Always fresh and always delicious!
Wigram & Baladin Emporium Nora Egyptian Ale
You’ll notice the orange amber colour as soon as it’s poured, but the aromas of Middle-Eastern spices, ginger, citrus fruit and mild hoppiness will then take over.
McLeod’s Longboarder Lager
This award-winning beer is light in colour, but don’t let that fool you, there are flavours of melon, stone fruits and exotic spice. Matured for a full six weeks before release, it’s fairly malty, dry and bitter.