Kiwi Craft Beer Spectapular

The Local Taphouse, Darlinghurst

Sat. May 21st

20 Kiwi Beers on tap!!!!

I got there about 3:30 after work and got a paddle straight away.

First sample: Twisted Hop Sauvin Pils:nice light summery Pils- i gave it 7/10.

2nd sample:Emerson Bird Dog (Pale Ale): malty lookin. Nose- light but intense sweet passionfruit- gorgeous. T- different, sweet with spice.

3rd sample: Cock and Bull Monks Habit (US Red Ale/APA):a little funky for my tastes.

4th sample:Moa Five Hop (ESB/Strong Ale):more honey like than hoppy

5th sample:Croucher Patriot (American Black Ale): nice nose, bit like a red ale.

310ml of Yeastie Boys Rex Attitude (Peat-smoked Strong Golden Ale): wow!! Never had anything like it before- if you don't like the smell then you will struggle to get past it- i thought it was like a smoked ham hock- very unique sipper.

575ml 8 Wired Hopwired (New World Kiwi IPA):Had this before and I love it, great grapefruit flavour and aroma- classy, fruity and morish.

310ml Epic Hop Zombie (2IPA):fantastic sweet fruit nose, well rounded sipper that wasn't as bitter on the hop front as i thought it might be.

Finished off with another 8 Wired Hopwired!!

Some high alcohol brews- very enjoyable.

Emersons 1812 IPA

Style:English India Pale Ale
Alc %:4.7.
Brewery:Emersons Brewery
Country:New Zealand
Tap?:Bottle, 500ml
Where/When:Home, 2008
Cost:$6-9
Rating:8.5

Pours with an inch thick off white head and a slightly red golden colour body.
The nose is a bit hoppy with a hint of citrus. On tasting you get a malt first then the citrus fruit flavour.
I think this is a good example of an IPA - not too hoppy- the malt and hops make it sweet & bitter without either being overpowering.
A slight pine taste in the hops.

I have to have this again as it my current favourite style although this is more English than American from memory.

Emersons WeissBier

Style:Hefeweizen
Alc %:5
Brewery:Emersons Brewery
Country:New Zealand
Tap?:Bottle, 500ml
Where/When:Home, 2008
Cost:$6-9
Rating:9

This took ages to pour - it had been in the fridge lying down for a few weeks & I rolled the the bottle before pouring.

This is my favourite brewery - so I am biased.
It pours with a big head. The colour is a cloudy caramel gold - not transparent with millions of bubbles making their way north. The smell has a hint of clove. Their is a definite taste of banana but it's a little muted by the yeast. The sweetness is candy or bubblegum-ish.
It's a little champagne like in the mouth- but more syrupy.
Clean, light and effervescent.
I can't say I've had more tha one in a sitting - as one 500ml bottle makes me tiddly!
Wonderful drop!!