From full to not much to ....full again!

Jan 2012
And its the start of another year and just when we thought beer club was full, only half managed to make an appearance. They missed out! Mr Emerson's latest summer ale, North by North. A damn pleasant Czech Pilsner not dissimilar to Tally Ho but no able to directly compare. The next brew, we had to look at closely to make sure it was from NZ. The Monsoon Strong Pilsner. Its an authentic beer (not counterfeit!). Its quite tasty, yes and strong, more than 6%. We guess that the bottle is designed for the UK market in Indian restaurants of all things. ANd we learn that drunkeness is a personal thing as Doug is debunked...again! Another strong one is the Yeastie Boys Red Rackham red ale. This beer has depth. Wow! Its malty, big and there is essence of Rex! The final taster is Harrington's Anvil, a dry hopped pilsner. It's hoppy and good. Until next time.

Emerson's
Monsoon
Yeastie Boys
Harrington's

End of Year BBQ 2011

Its a good thing that we were just getting together for a few beers and snags, so after we all finally made it we thought we'd have a few of our favourites or as we usually do, bring something new. Without any notes (yes I take notes!) the following are in roughly or maybe the correct order. The Tuatara Helles comes back brought by an old friend. Good for a BBQ. I picked up Invercargill Brewery WASP honey pilsner over the Xmas break on the southern pilgrimage. A new one... Tuatara's APA; Aotearoa Pale Ale, with American Hops hard to obtain, they have done a fine job with the local product. New Steve pops in with Emerson's Bookbinder and the last one for H is Macs Gold. A good day for a beer.

December 2011

Ok so its been a while...I've been busy and I might have a rest from these beers ...just enough to write something. We start with the Valkyrie Brynhild golden ale from the Valkyrie Brewing Co. A hell of a lot of stuff about the Valkyrie on the label in a small font and not much about the beer. It actually drinks ok. Nothing bad. Now for the Montieth's Single Source. Very nondescript. Now for the Tuatara Helles. Well bugger me if the Tuatara beers don't have a tuatara on the cap. The beer gets better....after three lagers they are all very similar. And we come to the Flying nun 30 year anniversary Ale from epic. After three reasonable lagers, this is a revelation. The Stoke Bomber Smokey Ale (5.7%)... Interesting ...someone thought they could get layers of biscuits and flowers although this maybe simply bollocks on the label. Its getting dark now and up comes the Wigram dakota dark, its bittery chocolate. smells of vomit or honey? not sure of that one...no wait its bee vomit. Actually its a good dark beer. And we finish off with the 8 Wired Black Dwarf. Mixed feelings from the team but I like it. A dark beer with coffee.

valkyriebeer
Tuatara
EPIC
Wigram
8 Wired