Mad Props: Emerson's Brewery

[Stu McKinlay]

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend the annual Emerson's Masterclass at Regional Wines and Spirits. A last minute stroke of good luck saw me going from having no ticket, to two tickets, in the space of 24 hours. I've been to these over the last few years... (including this stunning and prophetic one a couple of years ago and the great "JP Belgian yeast-off" last year).


Once I'd settled in, and had a wee chat with my table neighbours (including our own Alasdair), I noticed from the list on the whiteboard that I'd tried each the beers before (a first for an Emerson's tasting for me - I guess it is a sign of the times with all the Brewer's Reserve beers being regularly available in Wellington now). Any disappointment of having no new experimental beers to taste was short lived. The beers tasted amazing, the stability (with some beers being 4 months old) was excellent and the skilful use of hop combinations (NZ especially) and different water treatments and yeasts were unlike anything I've tasted before - and all coming from one brewery.

Here's a lit of the beers presented. Most were bottled, and every single one of the Brewer's Reserve beers tasted even better than they had from the tap - a particulalrly impressive feat. I've attached brewer notes also, they're well worth a read.

M'Lord Ale (BR)
Gallifrey Pale Ale (BR)
Fresh Hop Harvest Ale (BR)
Very Brown Ale (BR)
Hoppy Porter (BR)
London Porter
Old 95
Old Cascade
JP 2009

I must say that tasting these beers reminded me of how important and innovative the team at Emerson's are to the New Zealand brewing scene. There are brewers in New Zealand who bring out great single releases here and there but very few that hit the mark time and time again. This tasting was like listening to an entire album of great songs... no fillers, no duds... all class.

I've been a big fan of emerson's fans over the years. They've taken some hits in on here in the last year or two, and I've been drinking less of their beer as more craft breweries have lifted their game, but something tells me to watch out... this sleeping giant is reawakening.

Mad mad props to all the team at Emerson's Brewery!


(Mad Props to Regionals and Geoff Griggs as well - these monthly beer tastings are superb, and is an excellent presenter, I'd love to get to more).

[Bambule]

I agree entirely. The Emersons tasting is generally one of the stand outs of the year, and usually well thoughout by Richard. Emersons have long been my favourite brewery in NZ and none of the the excellant brewers reserve beers I've tried this year have given me any cause to change that opinion. The two stand outs for me are 1) the range: weisse beer, belgian ales, bourbon porter, seesion beers and its all good. And 2) the beers are always so well balanced, as a homebrewer you can bumble your way to making a beer better then most commercial dross with your eyes closed. To even attempt to emulate an Emersons beer takes quite a bit more skill and even then....

[JoKing]

Where the hell are they getting their Chinook from?!?!?!? I want some.... it's not fair!

Well written too Stu - good on ya!

[Matthew]

Absolutely agree, Stu. Emerson's are quickly becoming one of my favourite brews. I'm working my way through as many different Emerson's as I can find. Highlights so far are the JP09 (It was like some sort of Belgian massage therapy that caressed me from start to finish, the 8% ABV left me slightly dizzy but in a very, very happy place) The IPA was another highlight. Loved the balance of malt, bitterness and hops. Symphony in a bottle.

[Stu McKinlay]

Bookbinder and 1812 used to be my most regularly drunk beers... both went through a big change with the move to NZ malt (plus the "dropping" of Maris Gold, which I think probably caused 1812 to change from an Amber Ale to a Pale Ale - I think it had American hops back in the amber days too). Bookbinder is back on the upswing, while the jury is still out on 1812 for me. It's nice from time to time but it doesn't have the depth of my old friend. Three and a half years ago I poured 500ml into a glass as my phone rung to tell me that my girlfriend had gone into labour with our first son... I must admit I took a second look at that glass before I offered it to someone else and jumped into a taxi. Damn, if I'd told that story at the tasting I probably would have won a prize!

The most encouraging thing from this tasting was the work that is going in to understand the way ingredients work together. As brewers our opportunity is near endless, even with pretty 'standard' ingredients and brewing processes. It's impressive to see the lengths these guys are undertaking to find out where some of the best possibilities are. Fun and educational for their brewery staff.

[Geoff Griggs]

To win a prize you'd have had to have finished the glass before jumping into the taxi!

[Sam Possenniskie (TGM)]

you should have picked up a box of Juju Fruits though...

[studio1]

I picked up 100g of Chinook in Aus - haven't used in yet = what's it like?

[JoKing]

No good. I'd better take care of it for you mate.

[studio1]

And how would you use it? Finishing in an IPA? I think I saw somewhere that its a bit spicey?

[JoKing]

It's a really good bittering hop - the impression is very aggressive... like an "upfront" hit rather than that lingering bitterness some hops give.

I love the stuff...

I'll swap some Amarillo for it...?

[Stu McKinlay]

I think I saw somewhere that its a bit spicey

I think I saw somewhere that it's a bit pricey!

[denimglen]

Made an IPA a long time back that was 100% chinook - TASTY!