The craft beer movement is strong in New Zealand with many breweries producing many different beers. It would be nigh on impossible to taste them all in a month but when the opportunity arises a little sampling is in order. A few hours in Auckland’s Harbourside and Wynyard Quarter gave us two bars to visit.
First up Jack Tar (34-37 Jellicoe Street). Located in the Wynyard Quarter amongst many other bars and restaurants it was relatively quiet when we visited. Located in what resembles a wharfside warehouse,. its a good place to start the evening and if you feel like staying there is an extensive menu to choose from.
Mac’s Gold. 4%. Yellow/gold in appearance, crystal clear, light head, low bitterness. Flavours of caramel and sweetcorn! Has a lovely richness. Very drinkable.
Panhead Supercharger APA. 5.7%. Wellington. A great name for a beer. Amber/gold, slight haze, well formed head. Pronounced flavours of lemon, grapefruit. Nice level of bitterness.
Speights Gold. 4%. Dunedin. Deep amber in colour, clear, good head to the beer. Caramel, malty with nice sweetness.
Research had indicated a bar by the name of The Tyler Street Garage might be well worth a visit but unfortunately it closed in January. It has, however, been replaced by a gastropub called Chamberlains (120 Quay Street). When we arrived late afternoon the place was buzzing. New Zealand, England and Australia were playing a tri T20 cricket tournament and New Zealand were about to play Australia. Supporters of all sides were lubricating the vocal chords for the supporting that was about to begin. It made for an excellent place to settle down for a beer or two.
Hallertau No2. Pale Ale. 5.3%. Auckland. Light amber in colour, low bitter, hoppy, caramel, lovely balance to the beer. Very drinkable.
Disco King. IPA. Choice Bros. 6.5%. Amber in appearance, hazy, light froth at the rim. Medium bitterness, lemon, coriander, topic of malt.
L’Hop. Epic Brewery. APA. 4.4%. Golden, clear, light in style but with lovely flavour and subtlety. This is a beer that demands to be drunk and the relatively low ABV means thats perfectly possible.
Epic Lager. 5%. Yellow gold, clear and bright. Crisp, charters and full flavoured. Very nice.
Ma Is White. Whitbier. Fork and Brewer. 5.4%. Named after the first line of a well known primary school song. Yellow, hazy. A very nice beer with flavours of fruit salad sweets ( who remembers those?) with a hint of orange. Almost creamy. Beer showing real complexity of flavour. An absolute star.