Brew on Quay

[nzbrewer]

102 Quay Street, Auckland City (other end of the block from Northern Steamship Macs Bar)

When I first heard about this bar at the beginning of the year it was being sold as the Malthouse of Auckland.

Well since then they have signed a contract with Lion, and today I saw they have Lion Red, Speights, Summit, Macs Gold and Macs Black on tap.

But they are going to have Epic Pale Ale and Tuatara Pils first up on their guest taps.

I did a staff training on the Epic beers and some basic history on beer and brewing. Right after me Hancocks and Josh Scott were presenting the Moa range. Plus the staff told me they are going to have 110 beers. This will be interesting as I'm not sure they have the fridge space for that many single spacings but we'll see.

They are due to open end of next week I think but don't have an official date. But definitely for the week starting 1st June.

Well that is all I can offer pre-opening so we will all have to wait and see if they have the vision and passion that we have experienced at the Malthouse.

[Barry]

"The Malthouse of Auckland" and they sign a contract with Lion. And they're not even open yet.

that's not a good sign is it...

[nzbrewer]

well we can all judge them once they open.

[Barry]

Yeah fair enough. I'm pretty excited that there's another place to get Epic downtown.

[nzbrewer]

Well at this stage it is only on a guest tap, so I'll need to get down there and drink lots myself and buy people rounds so it outsells Lion Red so they will keep Epic on.

So when I see you there I'll buy you a one.

[Stu McKinlay]

Malthouse have a deal with DB, that doesn't cause anyone here too many problems does it?
The devil is in the detail beer loving brothers and sisters.

ps. good to see Epic on tap in AKL 1001 (or whatever you yuppies call it).

[vdog]

Great to see somewhere else to get a decent pint opening up - and nice and close to work, no less! I'll do my best to keep Epic outselling the Lion Red too Luke...

[Reviled]

Now all we need is Epic on tap on the north shore ;o)

But I know I know, baby steps eh? lol

[nzbrewer]

Want an invite to the opening night for Brew on Quay join the Facebook group

7pm, 28th May

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=562305219&v=feed&sto...

[Reviled]

Is there any way of getting an invite without being signed up to facebook? Im not into that sort of thing...

[nzbrewer]

don't know, they just sent out the invite on Facebook. this is what I received

Brew invited you to "Brew on Quay - Grand Opening Night. - INVITE ONLY" on Thursday, May 28 at 7:00pm.

Event: Brew on Quay - Grand Opening Night. - INVITE ONLY
"Come along to check out the hottest new bar in town - Brew on Quay."
What: Bar Night
Host: Brew on Quay - Hamish, Nathan and Simon
Start Time: Thursday, May 28 at 7:00pm
End Time: Friday, May 29 at 3:00am
Where: Brew on Quay

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=84021789638

Thanks,
The Facebook Team

[Tony]

I went to the opening last night.

It is situated in the old Wharf Police building, which is a wonderful, old brick building. They have done a really good fitout. It has several small rooms/cubicles, for groups to sit and chat, while enjoying a good beer. Upstairs, is an indoor/outdoor area for smokers, which also has a bar.

The beer- it has the usual slop on tap:Lion product, I didn't notice anything of interest on draught (it was quite busy)? But they have 2 large fridges, stacked. In these, they have numerous, quality beers, from NZ and overseas. The Emerson's range, Harrintons', Dux, Epic, Croucher, and many more.

On this, they need to be commended, it really is a good range and I took the time to speak to numerous people about what they thought. The consensus, was pretty clear that the decor and choice of beers was excellent. I noticed several people, drinking Emerson's and other craft brews. The biggest downside was, the bar staff, were not offering a glass with any of the bottled beers. A group, I spoke to were drinking Bookbinder, out of the bottle. Although they really appreciated having the chance to buy an Emerson's, and obviously knew the beer, they didn't seem to find it odd, not to drink it from a glass. I had a couple of Croucher Pale ales, which was tasting fantastic. I suggested to the rather inexperienced Barperson, that served me, that she offer a glass with all the bottled beers, she served from the fridge. I think this is a lack of education, about the difference between serving a quality beer and serving a Heineken! They don't seem to discern a difference?!

Still, I thought it was a vast improvement on Auckland bars in general. I don't think it is another Malt. It doesn't quite have the same atmosphere and feeling that here is a bar, where the staff know their beer and serve it accordingly. But I think any one of us, would be happy to go in there and enjoy a great selection of quality craft beers and be happy to part with our money to drink it there.

[Barry]

Is epic not on tap there yet Luke? That would have been a coup for opening night.