What are you drinking ?

[jt]

Ok, so What Are You Brewing was a hotty, as topics go.

Now I'm 15 pints into a keg I only filled on Tuesday and wondering if anyone else has a favourite at the moment ?

It's my second brown with US-Oh05 and it's better than the forst, maybe Ikept the temps down a bit during the scorcher we had in januray

[Greig McGill]

But in good news, the brewery was completely saved, and the monks are increasing beer production to pay for refurbishment. And with increased supply comes... lower prices! :) Mmmmm, slightly-cheaper Rochefort 10!

[MrC]

Renaissance APA and MPA for me tonight.  

 

I chose those beers at the supermarket over other beers because the label states what hops are used.  As a beer lover & home brewer wanting to explore different hop combinations it's great to have beers that help me in my understanding of exactly what I'm drinking.  Good on ya Renaissance!

[Martin Bridges]

Last night:

- a couple of bottles of Townshend's Cathcarts NTA. I really wish I had a case of this because it is outstandingly good.

- a couple of bottles of Epic Armageddon IPA. Almost a "comfort beer" this now - always good, always inspiring.

 

Today:

- the Pale Ale at Leigh Sawmill. Called in for lunch on our way to Goat Island. Said a brief hello to one of the new owners - it sounds like they're not planning on changing anything in a hurry (except I hear the cans are for the chop). We were having a rather fraught lunchtime with our son so I didn't really pay much attention to the beer, but it was nice enough.

 

- Hallertau Statesman at Tahi bar in Warkworth on the way back from Goat Island. As always, a wonderful welcome at that place. Statesman on good form as always. Was very tempted by a bottle of His Majesty lurking in the fridge but remembered I was driving!

[Reviled]

"(except I hear the cans are for the chop)"

 

Really?? Hopefully they dont replace them with green bottles :oS

[Stu H]

Last night in Dunedin:

 

First bottle of Invercargill Brewery's Stanley Green Pale Ale... Extremely delicious!

Second bottle... Tasted like it had a fault.. Diacetyl or something weird.. Gar! Couldn't see a batch number or anything on the bottle... Third bottle was fine though.

Call me superficial, but the label on the bottle needs tweaking.. Looks a bit amateurish...

 

Then I did the usual Dunedin thing of getting shitfaced on Emersons London Porter and 1812. Back to Auckland today.

[MrC]

Mike's Premium Organic Ale (Traditional Dark Mild Ale) soon to be followed by Mike's Double IPA.

 

I really like the Premium Organic Ale even though Dark Mild is not a style that has ever done anything for me.  Smooth, chocolatey & caramelly with a lovely yeast character.  Goes great with a BBQ.  

Does anyone know what yeast they use in this?  1968?  S-04? :-)

[Reviled]

I've been told at one stage a couple of years ago Mr Cherry that they used a lager strain in all of their beers, including Mikes Mild, however that may have changed, and they may have also used a different strain in the organic ale??

[MrC]

It definitely has an English yeast character.  It has inspired me to brew something similar in the coming months but I just don't know enough about English yeasts to know where to start.  I've been wanting to brew with Wyeast 1469 ever since Mike Neilson gave me a beer he brewed with it about 1 1/2 years ago so maybe I'll try that one.

[Stu McKinlay]

It's a lovely beer, I agree. At it's best it has this cocoa aroma that sends shivers up my spine... so much better than "chocolate" beers. I always find myself wishing I could get it on handpump.

Last I heard, from the old owner, they were using the Irish Ale Yeast (1084?). I remember him being upset that Neil Miller had written something about it using a lager yeast. I'm sure Joking will know...

[jt]

California Lager yeast rings a bell - might only be in my head though ....

[Michael]

Two Hearted Ale:

This beer was brewed in Michigan, and it set the bar very far for my favourite of the year! This is an amazingly well-balanced 'IPA'. (Really more of an APA to me.)

 

I cannot stress enough how I like this beer. Whilst I am usually a hop head, this is hoppy, but overbearing. It tastes like Centennial hops with a nice counter balance of sweetness. It has a real nice golden colour, and a good head.

 

If you guys can get this beer, I whole heartedly recommend it. I may even see if I can bring a couple bottles with me on the next visit back in April.  

[JackoNZ]

Twisted Hop Beach Bum with lunch. Came with it's very own earth tremor! Excellent beer to start the year.