Beer thread
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<p>Yeah, quite a few places are doing fresh wort packs now. I didn't even realise Kereru (my local) had started them, so thanks for that link. Might give one a shot.</p>
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<p>Price is one factor, but I also quite like playing with recipes and with these packs I'd probably keep them as is as I don't want to wreck $80 worth of booze when I can wreck $40 instead ;)</p>
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<p>Another option in some cities are the places where you can go and brew on their premises from scratch and they also do the controlled fermentation. You go back and bottle it when ready. Costs about $140 though</p>
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<p>I was a bit optimistic on how long those porters I made would last. I'm ripping through them. Next to bottle is a smoked pumpkin brown ale. Literally smoked some pumpkin and blended it into the wort. Nearly ready to bottle and the sample I had when testing it shows good promise. Next to go down is a Chocolate Raspberry Stout.</p> -
<p>I have had a search and can't find any. I had just thought because there was one in Wellington others would have popped up by now. ( <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://theoccasionalbrewer.co.nz/)'>http://theoccasionalbrewer.co.nz/)</a></p>
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<p>It may be worth calling these guys <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://beerandwine.co.nz/events/fill-your-own-craft-beer-is-here/'>http://beerandwine.co.nz/events/fill-your-own-craft-beer-is-here/</a> <a>or http://www.brewshop.co.nz/contacts/</a> , probably the most in the know of the local scene and asking if anyone has (or is planning to) open a 'Shared Brew Space' around town. The more people that ask the more the word will get around and one of the local brewers will think of doing it. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="dogmeat" data-cid="487598" data-time="1430367441"><p>I don't know how successful they are. Over the years I've seen several come and go and let's face it they'd probably target an area of beer consumption before opening in the Waikato.</p></blockquote>
Do you mean breweries or shared brew spaces? The Waikato has a few boutique brewers kicking off and that shop I linked has one of the best ranges of beer in the country. They probably turn over more in beer than they do wine -
<p>According to Google, the Wellington one is the first commercial shared brew space in NZ.</p>
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<p>What I can imagine is one of the smaller outfits with plenty of room setting something up. The Wellington one does alright for bookings.</p>
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<p>I think it's the price point for a batch that is the sticking point. $150 (plus bottling) for the equivalent of 10 doz stubbies (40l) isn't a massive saving so it teds to be done for a bit of fun with a mate or to experience with guidance how to do a full grain brew before getting some gear and doing it at home.</p>
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<p>If you are really keen though, it's worth talking to a small brewer to see if you can work with them to do a contract brew for a group of you. You come up with a recipe or style and pay them for ingredients and lease of equipment/ expertise. </p> -
OK Looking at their website maybe I was wrong.<br><br>I'm not sure that the places I've seen fail offered the expertise as I never went inside. There used to be one in Henderson and another not far from where I work in Albany. What they advertised was industrial beer making equipment and sterile bottling but I'm pretty sure you made it on your own. Anyway neither lasted very long.<br><br>If they were in Auckland and the quality was OK I'd be tempted. Bottles included their pricing works out at about $5/litre. I would normally pay $14-18 retail so enough of a saving to make it worthwhile.
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<p>I'm trying Harrington's "Harry's Light", at present - 2.5%. Last night I tried it after a "Sassy Red" and thought it wasn't too bad.</p>
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<p>Today, I'm still thinking it's not bad - it's light on flavour, but probaby got a bit more body than most light beers. Unfortunately, I'm getting a cold today, so my tastebuds might be impaired.</p>
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<p>Worth a try in any case.</p> -
<p>Recently had some NZ IPAs. I have been slowly trying APAs and IPAs from around OZ and out of the UK and US.</p>
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<p>What I have to report is that the EPIC brewery, were their beer only available by sucking it out of my worst enemies penis, I'd have some seriously worn knees in my jeans....</p>
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<p>My God how good is the Hop Zombie?! OZ may as well stop now because your IPAs are terrible by comparison. There are some nice ones out f the US but Hop Zombie is hands down the best beer I have ever had in my life.</p> -
<p>Garage Project, Beer! Does what it says and is probably my favourite drop at the moment and it comes in a can!</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://garageproject.co.nz/collections/all/beer'>http://garageproject.co.nz/collections/all/beer</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="513923" data-time="1441585551">
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<p>Garage Project, Beer! Does what it says and is probably my favourite drop at the moment and it comes in a can!</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://garageproject.co.nz/collections/all/beer'>http://garageproject.co.nz/collections/all/beer</a></p>
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<p>Actually that may be a good one for Tim and his seemingly endless search for a traditional Pilsner made in NZ. Saaz Hops and Czech Yeast. No playing around with other hops.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="513923" data-time="1441585551">
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<p>Garage Project, Beer! Does what it says and is probably my favourite drop at the moment and it comes in a can!</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://garageproject.co.nz/collections/all/beer'>http://garageproject.co.nz/collections/all/beer</a></p>
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<p>
love Garage Project. Especially the real effort they go to with their bottle and can art. It's very well done. Incidentally they brought over a few kegs to the Camden Brewery in July, it was all gone in about two hours. <strong>Very </strong>popular.</p>
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<p>I'm enjoying the variety of hand pulled cask ales over here. Even with the chains like Shepherd Neame, Fullers etc, I can usually find different drinks around the place. Will note some of the better ones some time.</p> -
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201770527/the-rise-of-new-zealand-craft-beer'>http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201770527/the-rise-of-new-zealand-craft-beer</a></p>
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<p>New Zealand brewed craft beer has become very popular both on the domestic market and for export. Jules van Cruysen began his career as sommelier in Wellington and writing about wine, then the 30 year old became more interested in beer and all it's varieties and tastes. He has written a comprehensive guide to the amber liquid Brewed - a guide to the craft beer of New Zealand. His book profiles individual breweries and their history, the people behind the product and includes some tasting notes. Jules van Cruysen is a drinks writer, and he is also the co-owner of Hillside Kitchen in Thorndon.</p>
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<p>17 mins - I found it an interesting listen</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Allstar" data-cid="515817" data-time="1442269631">
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<p>I'm enjoying the variety of hand pulled cask ales over here. Even with the chains like Shepherd Neame, Fullers etc, I can usually find different drinks around the place. Will note some of the better ones some time.</p>
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<p>When I worked in a 'Real Ale' pub over there in the late 80s the hand pulled stuff was as dodgy as hell mainly because some pub owners would pour the slops back into the cask to maximise return.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Razbra" data-cid="513490" data-time="1441417491">
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<p>Recently had some NZ IPAs. I have been slowly trying APAs and IPAs from around OZ and out of the UK and US.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What I have to report is that the EPIC brewery, were their beer only available by sucking it out of my worst enemies penis, I'd have some seriously worn knees in my jeans....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My God how good is the Hop Zombie?! OZ may as well stop now because your IPAs are terrible by comparison. There are some nice ones out f the US but Hop Zombie is hands down the best beer I have ever had in my life.</p>
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<p>have you tried Epic Armageddon? still my go to beer I have to admit and the one I clone the most when brewing.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="513923" data-time="1441585551"><p>
Garage Project, Beer! Does what it says and is probably my favourite drop at the moment and it comes in a can!<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="http://garageproject.co.nz/collections/all/beer">http://garageproject.co.nz/collections/all/beer</a></p></blockquote>
I'm fairly certain you said something along the lines of only drinking Waikato Draught back in the day Hooroo, how's the hipster beard coming along?<br><br>
Garage project sure is good though although by crikey it is on the dear side at over 30 bucks for six. I got their Aro Noir to watch the AB/Samoa game and made sure to have it at room temperature to savour the flavour given that it was fucken freezing outside. Their beer is fucken top notch though although be sure to avoid the white can simply labeled 'beer'......3.99 a can and bland as fuck compared to the liquid gold those boys usually produce. I think the fact the premises is an old servo I frequently drunkenly stumbled past back in the day adds to the allure somehow......whenever I partake in GP though I always drink out of a vessel, never the can. <br><br>
in terms of brewing on premises I'm going to the Ocassional Brewer tomorrow with the old man and about 5-6 mates depending on who turns up. we're doing IPA, APA, Stout and Pilsner and in a month or so will end up with about 20 litres each for about 75$. Having done it before it is a shitload of fun although one wonders how the premises makes any actual money? With the Mill about 30 metres away and the fact they allow you to literally bring your own booze it's guaranteed to be a fun avo.
