I'VE BEEN asked more than once: "That beer you reviewed, where can I buy it?" The implication is that some of the craft beers mentioned in this column are not as widely available as the mainstream brands.
I steer away from the mainstream beers because I figure most of you know what they taste like, so I've tended towards reviewing those quality beers which make up the niche craft beer market. The problem is that many of these brewers struggle to get their products into bars and pubs as they feel the squeeze applied by the moguls of DB and Lion.
This list is by no means complete but if you want to taste a different kind of beer try: Eureka in Albany St, Dunedin; Pomeroy's in Kilmore St, Christchurch; Hashigo Zake in Taranaki St, Wellington; and Brew On Quay, in Quay St, Auckland.
That's only a small sample of places with top-notch beer on tap and you can find more at realbeer.co.nz or soba.org.nz. Also New World supermarkets have a range of craft brews. Finally, there's the beerstore.co.nz, which has a great online stock of New Zealand and overseas brews.
Having got that particular house in order, I'm now going to bow to the power of the big breweries by talking about Monteith's Winter Ale, a six- pack of which arrived on my desk last week. (Note to brewers: this is an extremely good idea!)
Winter Ale is done in the German Doppelbock style which usually means something strong, dark and malty with very little bitterness.
However, it is a slightly watered-down version of the a German Doppelbock - at 6% it's not as strong as it could be and the body is quite light. It's probably designed to suit a New Zealand palate so if you're after something a bit more European, it's not for you.
What Winter Ale does deliver is the perfect fireside drink after you've been out in the cold. Its toasty, chocolate malts offer up hints of cocoa, coffee and an acidic fruitiness reminiscent of cherries or plums.
It's very lightly hopped, allowing the maltiness to shine through, although that means the deep richness you get on the front and middle of the palate isn't backed up by a strong finish, leaving you with the feeling there could have been more to savour.
That's a minor quibble though, because this is a great winter bevvy and can easily be enjoyed with rich, gamey meats like venison or duck. The Monteith's people suggest it goes well with blue cheese, and it's hard to argue with their assessment after a relaxing Sunday evening with this combination.
Subsequent to the publication of this column in the Sunday Star-Times, I've had some good feedback on the Winter Ale, with the general vibe being it's served too cold in New Zealand bars! it is designed to be drunk at a slightly warmer temperature than the kiwi preferencwe for 0-4deg. Try it at about 8degC and you'll get more flavour from it.
(This column was first published in the Sunday Star-Times on June 12)
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