I also tried the mild JT but forgot to comment on it, it was very malty, BIG malt aroma on the nose for me and I got quite a nutty chewy malt flavour which I really enjoyed! My only gripe was that it wasnt served to me through the handpump ;o) lol
Minimus is good. Light, hoppy and very bitter. Hints of marmalade and some stone fruit (maybe apricots and nectarine?)
Wasn't so keen on the Statesman, the flavour didn't really do anything for me.
After work tonight I got amongst some more Rogue Yellow Snow IPA - on tap of course. It's tasting good and fresh with a great aroma. A bitter grapefruity hop bomb!
Following this I had an 8Wired Hopwired IPA in the bottle - Still tasing amazing, and still easily my favourite NZ beer of 2009 (if not favourite beer of 2009 overall, still thinking about my list).
Popped up to Malthouse after this to check out the new offerings, saw the (silly) $75 bottle of Crown Lager. Who pays that much for a lager? And found out that Brew Dog TNP will probably be around $130 a bottle, which I'm happy to pitch in for at the WBC!
I tried the Hallertau Minimus which had a great fruity hop aroma reminiscent of Maximus. The flavour reminded me of my Ruination clone brew: hop fruitiness coming through but bitterness is the main show. A bit rough around the edges. Which I like!
Following I thought I'd better have another go at Hallertau Statesman, seeing as I was indifferent to it last time I tasted it. Again, meh. An okay hoppy pale ale, but nothing stands out in the flavour.
Just got back from a day of helping friends shift house and was offered a speights... ah no thanks I'm driving.... On the way home stopped in at Freshchoice Parklands.... for a bottle of HopWired, ReWired, TH Sauvin Pilsner and THIPA!!!!!!!! Fire is cranking, takeaways coming for dinner and a video to share with the family... f**king awesome.