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).

[Kempicus]

We use a lot of chinook, it's absolutely fantastic....gotta say when i'm brewing one of the best jobs is breaking up the hops especially if we're using chinook!

[Mike Neilson]

Using it for a Bittering hop in the collabartion brew RIS tomorrow!! its smells so so good!!

[Martin Bridges]

It would be good to think about the possibility of having a comparable event in Auckland. Until recently I would have thought that the lack of a suitable venue would make this a non-starter but the opening of Brew On Quay and Prenzel makes me think that there is a glimmer of hope.

[Hugh Grierson]

I will come!

[denimglen]

Saw your email about Prenzel - is it a shop or a cafe/bar type thing?

[Martin Bridges]

Bit of both! Hard to explain succinctly. It has both an on-license and an off-license.

[Craig]

Man I miss Regionals Beer tastings... It has been the most difficult thing for me since moving from Wellington to Tauranga.

I must concur with some positive feedback for the fella's (and ladies) at Emersons. I have openly shared negative feedback on gushing bottles and poor customer feedback a year ago, so time to balance the books and share the good experience I had visiting the Brewery back in April this year.

I do a bit of an annual pilgramage to Central Otago to go duck shooting, and always stop off in Duno's for the night to catch up with old friends and visit Emersons to pickup my weekend supplies.

I stocked up on 1812, Pilsner, Bookbinder, and one of every Brewers Reserve available. All were exceptional and fresh from the brewery. They were also selling these very cool flagons and I couldn't help but buy one filled with Pilsner. Enjoyed it so much I had to refill it the next morning before heading to Central...

I did spend a fortune... but I didn't begrundge 1 cent of it. Check out the cool flagon attached.
Also they threw in some really cool posters which I really appreciated. This was cause I bought boxes though guys, so don't pressure them for freebies, the poor fellas need to make a living..!

Thumbs up to Emersons for a great customer experience direct from the brewery...

[Sean]

Emerson's is top of my list of NZ Brew's that are a regular of my drinking weekend's. Damn fine selection and the quality is always top hole.

[Stu McKinlay]

CHAMPION BREWERY 2010!!

Mad props and congratulations. Richard Emerson is the epitome of what great beer is all about. He's so good because he loves great beer, no matter who makes it or where it comes from. He married a beautiful woman last week and (with his team) picked up champion brewery this week. Who could ask for more? well deserved.

I'm so glad that I could share a little fun (and the very very last of my homebrewed Imperial PKB) with him tonight.

[Sean]

Awesome!! Such a great NZ Brewery \m/

[Rusty Chch]

Congrats to Richard and all the team, he's a great guy and I'm a huge fan of his beers.

Now if only they'd bring back their oatmeal stout!

[Stu McKinlay]

this sleeping giant is reawakening

What'd I tell you fellas. The giant is wide awake.

I recommend the Clam Stout. Stunning, I drunk it all night last night. It's every bit as good a clone of Three Boys Oyster Stout as Hoppy Porter 2 is of Yeastie Boys Pot Kettle black ;-)
Bloody Richard eh? He can't help but have a crack at outdoing everyone! You've got to love him. As he said in his fantastic acceptance speech last night - when we're all trying to out do each other it is the consumer that wins.