First up the mainstream bottle shops are crap. Let me re-phrase that. AVOID MAINSTREAM BOTTLESHOPS. They are the exact transposition of the majority of Australian pubs. Ruled by the two mainstream brewers.
Right got that off my chest, how is the craft beer scene ??
Obviously a LOT has changed in the last 15 years since I left. On the plus the rise of the small local breweries. Being based in Nelson for our Rugby World Cup sojourn you would expect the immediate proximities of so many craft breweries should provide a huge wealth of beer offerings to inspire and excite my taste buds.
Likewise our many trips already to Wellington for rugby games and side trips to all the latest craft beer bars should have uncovered a wealth of new flavors to tantalise my taste buds.
The reality is that NZ is still a very small market, and the majority of pubs are still frequented by the older drinker locked into the beer(s) they have always drunk. Craft beer drinkers or even worse the craft beer traveller/hunter/brewer/ticker/researcher like myself are in the minority and at the mercy of the craft brewers trying to make ends meet. They appear to be still trying to brew that gateway beer that is enough to differentiate themselves from the BIG 2 but not offend and still be able to charge a small premium.
For the most part this means that the brick & mortar brewers, each are producing the standard lager, amber, dark and a seasonal.
Likewise our many trips already to Wellington for rugby games and side trips to all the latest craft beer bars should have uncovered a wealth of new flavors to tantalise my taste buds.
The reality is that NZ is still a very small market, and the majority of pubs are still frequented by the older drinker locked into the beer(s) they have always drunk. Craft beer drinkers or even worse the craft beer traveller/hunter/brewer/ticker/researcher like myself are in the minority and at the mercy of the craft brewers trying to make ends meet. They appear to be still trying to brew that gateway beer that is enough to differentiate themselves from the BIG 2 but not offend and still be able to charge a small premium.
For the most part this means that the brick & mortar brewers, each are producing the standard lager, amber, dark and a seasonal.
In terms of an entire lineup of beers, the definite stand-outs in are Epic, Tuatara, Yeastie Boys (and I hope to find more on upcoming laps of the Nth and Sth Islands). There are also breweries for beer I've tasted only one or two of their lineups that I'm keen to further explore.
Having real world experience of selling beer targeted at craft beer aficionados I intimately understand the the problem of being able to sell certain volumes of beer in order to break even. However this is my beer journey/research trip and I'm still looking to be wowed and inspired.
So enough of the preface, what have I found that has tweaked my senses and got me excited ?
DISCLAIMER: this does not cover the MANY beers that I've previously had the opportunity to imbibe in, in Australia (eg. all the beers at the @localtaphouseDL / @localtaphouseSK Kiwi SpecTAPular (many of which have already inspired or exited me) or via niche bottle shops in Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne, & Oz craft beer venues/festivals).
8 Wired
- Sauvin Saison ( yes this is avail in Oz but I held off knowing I was coming to NZ and visiting the source )
- Superconductor ( whilst not poured in the best condition at the venue I had it at the aroma, body and flavor were all fantastic
Golden Ticket Brewing
- Emperor Strikes Black ( wow from the first mouthful. Downed two pints in the first sitting and hop to get more this weekend )
Croucher Brewing
- Mothers Milk Stout ( has been a goto beer at a couple of venues and hasn't disappointed each time )
So enough of the preface, what have I found that has tweaked my senses and got me excited ?
DISCLAIMER: this does not cover the MANY beers that I've previously had the opportunity to imbibe in, in Australia (eg. all the beers at the @localtaphouseDL / @localtaphouseSK Kiwi SpecTAPular (many of which have already inspired or exited me) or via niche bottle shops in Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne, & Oz craft beer venues/festivals).
8 Wired
- Sauvin Saison ( yes this is avail in Oz but I held off knowing I was coming to NZ and visiting the source )
- Superconductor ( whilst not poured in the best condition at the venue I had it at the aroma, body and flavor were all fantastic
Golden Ticket Brewing
- Emperor Strikes Black ( wow from the first mouthful. Downed two pints in the first sitting and hop to get more this weekend )
Croucher Brewing
- Mothers Milk Stout ( has been a goto beer at a couple of venues and hasn't disappointed each time )
- Dark Horse ( a dark horse been indeed. Not overly out there in any respect, just a really really well made enjoyable beer )
- Freckled Frog ( a Feijoa Cider. I'm not a big fan of cider but really enjoyed this one. A great balance of all the right flavours).
For a list of what has been sampled so far just checkout my Untappd timeline here.
My tips are:
1. If you want to get great craft beer in NZ don't go to a major chain bottle-shop !!
2. Find a specialist bottle-shop that understands what craft beer really is.
3. Check out your local supermarket. Some are good & some are awesome. In Nelson/Richmond Fresh Choice does an awesome job of supporting the local craft brewers by selling their beers in both FYO (fill your own) style eg. Rigger, Goon as well as bottled product.
a: for instance today I found Epic Hop Zombie, Yeastie Boys Rex Attitude & Duncan Founders latest seasonal at a small metro style Fresh Choice
b: they also had instore wine tasting using those cool closed system win sampling machines.
My tips are:
1. If you want to get great craft beer in NZ don't go to a major chain bottle-shop !!
2. Find a specialist bottle-shop that understands what craft beer really is.
3. Check out your local supermarket. Some are good & some are awesome. In Nelson/Richmond Fresh Choice does an awesome job of supporting the local craft brewers by selling their beers in both FYO (fill your own) style eg. Rigger, Goon as well as bottled product.
a: for instance today I found Epic Hop Zombie, Yeastie Boys Rex Attitude & Duncan Founders latest seasonal at a small metro style Fresh Choice
b: they also had instore wine tasting using those cool closed system win sampling machines.
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