First time in Hamilton - where are the best beer bars handy to the rugby ground?

[John Pagler]

Hi Guys

I've got tickets to the Wales v Fiji game in Hamilton this sunday, I would appreciate any advice on the best places for a couple of decent beers - preferably handy to the rugby ground.

Cheers

[Greig McGill]

Hi John,

 

First, the bad news. There's nothing handy to the stadium with anything other than the usual suspects on tap, unless you count the Speights Alehouse. I wouldn't count it though. While you can get their seasonal beers, they've not been on form, and the atmosphere and food are just awful.

 

Most of the good beer is at the other end of town. The good news is Hamilton's CBD is pretty small. 15 minutes amble will get you from the stadium end of town to Hood Street, where House on Hood (10 craft taps, selections vary, and sometimes make way for mainstream beer during munter events like car racing and funny shaped ball sports ;) ), Gothenburg (MASSIVE selection of bottled European beers, some rare Belgians, and usually something German on tap - currently Hofbrau's tasty malty Maibock), and to a lesser degree, CBD, which has some Little Creatures beer on tap as well as Macs from Lion Nathan. On the way to Hood Street, you'll pass The Abbey - a newly fitted out member of the Belgian Beer Cafe franchise, with a great bottle selection in addition to the usual Leffe and Hoegaarden offerings on tap.

 

House on Hood does their $5 tap pints and pizzas promo on Sunday arvos from 3pm. Amazing value. I might pop in myself though am trying to watch the calorie intake right now. The Ruakura Campus Club (use Google Maps to find it, it's not in the CBD) is open for all the Rugby games as well, though you'll need a member to sign you in. If nobody is there, just chat to John the bar manager, or Geoff or Ian behind the bar, and mention that Greig said you'd be welcomed. :)

 

If you're arriving before Sunday (ie. Friday night?) and fancy a pint at the RCC, please DM me and Alex (my wife) and I can pick you up and take you out.

 

Cheers,

 

Greig.

[Greig McGill]

Oh, actually, there's also The Helm bar not far from the Stadium. It's a DB bar, but has Erdinger on tap, which can pass as decent if you're thirsty! :)

[Greig McGill]

And going for a record third reply in a row, it's actually some James Squire beer that CBD has on tap, not Little Creatures. Still, I do love me some James Squire amber!

[Reviled]

"I do love me some James Squire amber"

 

Really?? You don't get a metallic bitterness from too much, or possibly mis-use of, super alpha?? Last time I tried the JS beers was a few years ago, but they all had this metallic lingering bitterness that I didn't like at all!!

[John Pagler]

Nice idea Gregg but at the moment not arriving until midday sun. Will be in town sunday if any good otherwise will have to catch up again

[Greig McGill]

John: Happy to catch up Sunday. Text me on 021 753 026.

 

Rev: Nope. No metallic notes. A little less flavourful than I usually like, but *very* sessionable. Have you had it in bottles or on tap? I've never had bottles.

[Reviled]

Only ever tried it in bottles mate...