Two Bro’s, Two All Blacks

The days are shorter, and the temperature in the FreshChoice meat department seems warmer.  This can only mean one thing:  winter’s here.  Darker days call for darker beers, so you get some comforting warmth from dark malt-driven beers that pack slightly more alcoholic warmth.

Two of the nicest winter blanket beers I’ve had come from a couple of Danish brothers who call themselves To Øl.  Pronounced “toe ool” (Danish for two beers), they started brewing in Denmark after they felt a need to taste modern beer styles instead of the centuries-old traditional beers with the same- old same-old.  To Øl don’t push the boundaries of beer styles as their beer styles have no boundaries to push.  They brew beers you do not forget (unless you’ve had too many).  Since their conception in 2005, To Øl have risen to ninth most popular brewery on the 2015 Ratebeer rating.

Anywho, back to the winter blanket beers!

Goliat Imperial Stout at 10.1% is a goliath of a stout.  Brewed with oats, it results in a buttery  smoothness with the mouth feel of melted chocolate.  Infused with fancy French coffee that enriches the layers of delicious malt flavours with no over-roasted acrid bitterness.  It’s on the sweetish side and tastes a lot like you ain’t going to work tomorrow.

Liquid Confidence Imperial Stout.  Even though it’s brewed with three different kinds of chillies it’s not a chilli stout but rather a stout brewed with chillies.  She starts hot but simmers towards the end as the taste buds get numbed from the 12.2% ABV.  And it’s not your mouth burning only smoke from the Chipotle chillies.  It’s all good as these chillies counter the malt’s sweetness.  The chilli kick will give you the backbone to tell the missus you’re not going to her mother’s 80^th birthday!

And finally, for a taste of autumn there is ‘Releaf Me Lime Leaf Blonde’ 5.8%. - lime, ruby grapefruit and tart rhubarb flavours make this brew the perfect accompaniment to any Asian food.

To Øl, for flavour as bold as Steven Adams’s moustache.

Denis “the shark is back with one in black” Cooper

Presenting the Great Garage Project Freak Show

Roll up roll up, for your drinking pleasure, in conjunction with Garage Project, FreshChoice brings you the greatest beer extravaganza on earth.  Come ride the magical mystery tour of eclectic beer styles and sample the three brews developed by Garage Project for the ‘Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular’ (GABS).  The Garage project freak show is waiting to take you astray. 

Taste in awe ‘The Wolf Man’, he’s gonna take your taste buds high.  He’s a bad ass IPA with legend saying he’s the bitter ancestor of ‘Death from Above’.  Crammed with a howl of a lot of melonicious hops, you’re gonna dig him till the day you die.

Try the ‘Old Grinderman’, a stout little beer.  He’s a contortionist who’ll twist your taste buds from bitter to sweet then will untangle and astound you with grindings of coffee and Kahlua, and finally leave you mesmerised with mercurial malts.

And last but not least is ‘Marvellous Madam Mahvash’.  This fortune-telling Belgian blond beauty is love at first sip.  With fragrant cotton candy smells, you will be lulled into her magical spicy spells of Turkish Delight and delightful citrus.  She can be a little tart but give her time and her finishing smile is gingery confection.

Come gargle these gargoyles and experience these beerzare beers. Showtime starts 3 pm this Friday at FreshChoice Nelson and tickets cost nothing.

Denis “Clap for the Wolf Man” Cooper

Taste-Off: Brash Hammer vs Elegant Zombie

For all the hop-heads out there in craft beer land, FreshChoice in association with Epic Brewery brings you the greatest taste-off since barley and hops were fermented:  a taste comparison between the hugely popular ‘Epic Hop Zombie’ and the newly-created ‘Epic Stone Hammer’.  Arguably two of the most hop-audacious beers in the craft kingdom.

Epic Brewery started their first brew 10 years ago with their simply-named Pale Ale and added an epidemic of amount of hops for the time, which resulted in them winning the supreme champion beer award 2006 and creating a beer with what is now of cult status. This beer has a huge amount of citrusy, grapefruity hops but is equally balanced with rich toffee malts; resulting in a beer that caters to all palates.

(They’ve celebrated their decade of brewing by brewing a celebration ale called Epic Celebration Ale 10.1%. She’s a big Barley Wine beer that tastes like port and liquid fruitcake. Buy some before she goes then bring her out for your next significant celebration, hmmmmm!)

Anywho, back to the taste-off…

Hammer time:  First up was the ‘Stone Hammer’ - 7% and from first pisst of the bottle I was hopsmacked.  Hit with pungent hop aromas of tangelos and orange peel wafting from the glass.  The first sip then immediate tongue-curl from a bitterness that almost stripped the tastebuds from the tonsils, then a hop banging wallop of tamarillo, apricots and melons.  A brash hit of hops and an aroma that lasts to the final drop, epic.  

A quick Heineken to cleanse the palate then straight into the Epic Hop Zombie.  This monster carries more ABV at 8.5%, so I was expecting to be mauled to death from bitter hops but instead was enlightened with a rich body, smooth mouth-feel and refined bitterness.  Flavours of marmalade, green grapes and kiwifruit, all with a creaminess that belied the high alcohol.  Definitely sweeter than the Hammer with smacks of that Epic Pale Ale malt coming through resulting in an unabashed elegance.

So there it is:  the Brash Hammer or the Elegant Zombie?  My pick is…  the one that happens to be in front of me!  

Hop down to FreshChoice this Friday arvo where I’ll be giving out free tasters of Epic proportions so you can decide your own taste-off!

Denis kept craving hops so got a skipping rope Cooper

 

Easter Elixirs

Exciting times for brewers and brew imbibers alike!  Along with the done-and-dusted St Patricks Day and Marchfest; the Nelson hop harvest currently under way, and the soon-to-be-accomplished “Great Kiwi Beer Festival” in Christchurch, there is a bit of malt madness in March.  And squeezed in the middle is Easter where one of the most bizarre days of the year occurs:  a day where everything is shut with nothing to do, and everything on the shelves get one day older.  It’s called Good Friday, go figure?

If that’s not enough to wet your whistle and you’re still a bit hoarse then why not try Horsebox, Nelson’s latest brewery.  Boasting two brewers who beerly cut their teeth on homebrew but instead took the horse by the bit, delving straight into brewing three quality beers, all sessionable but carry lot of clout:

‘Ronin’ is perhaps one of the better tasting Pilsners below 5% out there.  Here you have everything you would expect from a flavoursome Pils.  It’s got that inimitable character with a crisp, clean taste, tingly effervescence and a bite-of-a-lime finish.

‘Black Stallion Milk Stout’ has a robust body with easy caramel and liquorice tones nourished with scorched roasted malts.  Leaving it to warm will bring out its milky smoothness from the lactose sugars.  A lot of stout for 5%.

‘Storm Hopper APA’ has a thunderous dark berry hop aroma and tastes just like it smells.  Dark berries with melon and tangelos and a bitterness from start to lingering finish.  Bigger than its 5.7% might suggest, which is good as you might be able to sneak in another bottle without getting into too much trouble?  This brew is most excellent with Sealord’s new “Salmon Cakes with Cheese Sauce” selected from the deep-freeze at FreshChoice.

Keep browsing the FreshChoice fridge for the soon-to-be-released Horsebox ‘Vigilante’, a New Zealand IPA that promises bold bitterness, woo hoo!

See me @FreshChoice this Thursday from 3–6 pm for some exciting Easter elixir taste-teasers in the shape of stout stouts.

Gallop down to FreshChoice but no horsing around ’cause it ain’t open Friday!

Denis stout lout Cooper

Three German Lagers and An Ale Walk Into a Bar….

Back from my holiday which is great as I only need two six month holidays every year.  I enjoyed my escape from civilisation but the whole time away I ailed for a decent ale.  Note to self, never underestimate the comforts of home (reads: how good the beer is in Nelson)

After my brief sojourn it was great to come back to see what new crafts have been brewing in the craft brewing industry.  Grabbing my immediate addiction is a newly created craft brewer from Wellington called Tiamana.

Tiamana (Maori for German) is a one-woman company who specialises in brewing classic German-style beers.  She brews four main styles, all of which are totally quaffable whilst burning a few a wieners on these hot summer nights.

First off for a thirst quenching appetiser is ‘Pilski’, a Berliner Pilsner, 5.6%.  An enjoyable easy drinking pils with a herbal, slightly minty refreshing zing.  A more malt-forward example for a pilsner, results in a sweeter note than most but still a wunderkind brewski.

A lager but not as we know it is ‘Kreuzberg’.  It’s a traditional schwarzbier or German dark lager.  This 5.3%er is brewed with dark malts, giving it the aroma and appearance of a stout but retains the light body and clean crispness of a lager albeit mixed with coffee and cola.  Very refreshing and adds a new flavour dimension for all the lager louts out there.

‘Witzig’ Lemongrass Witbier, 5.1%, is a wheat beer with the characteristic big foamy white head and cloudy liquid appearance.  The taste is true to form - that of coriander and lemongrass with a very high effervescence, combines to a prickly but very refreshing back of the mouth experience.  You could food pair as a sauerkraut dressing but probably better with fried rice.

And for after dinner is ‘Old Fritze’, a 7.5% Doppelbock that is a perfect couch sinker.  It’s rich, complex, and as smooth as the top of my head yet still amazingly, a lager!  It oozes sweet malt flavours and is like drinking liquid brandy snaps.

Prost!  (German for cheers)

Denis beerest of knowledge Cooper

Pick n Go

Garage Project have blossomed from nano to micro and now macro brewing, such is the demand of their  beersies created with a uniqueness that overlap the boundaries of beer styles. The exponential success of GP is due to the amount they export to places like Australia, America and Germany. It’s like GP’s business success is to invent a beer, test it on the NZ beer boffin for a taste check, then woof, its outta here, off overseas for the big sales. Us poor guinea pigs are then left with a fickle limited supply with a get what you’re given selection for the local supermarkets.

Such a shame about the supply cause all GP’s beers are rated.  Try these 4 cans while you can.

‘Artful Dodger’ new wave English Pale 4.3%. Toasty malts similar to the English pales billow over the front of the mouth then fresh cut grassy hops with a touch of weed, probe the back with pronounced bitterness. Huge flavour from such low alcohol, and quite possibly the perfect sessionable beer for the early morning RWC?

‘Dirty Boots’ American Pale Ale 6.6% Dirty boots has kicked the hop flavour outta the park with huge pineapple passionfruit hop flavours. Very rambunctious, saliva producing bitterness with creamy mouth feel. You’ll keep constantly sipping to keep experiencing the sensations. Inspired by the grunge music that GP listen to when they’ve hopped the mosh pit.

‘Los Lobos’ IPA 8%, means ‘The Wolves’ in Spanish and rightly so as this brew rocks (also a Grammy award-winning American rock band). It’s got those big American hops that generate the essence of mangoes and tropical fruits. Smooth bitterness, luscious body all make for a deceptively easy drinking 8%er.

‘Nerissimo’ 5.6% Porter.  A black porter infused with porcini and truffle. These fun guys add a rich hit of umami, the most enigmatic of flavours, giving this brew dark and complex earthy notes. Not sweet, definitely not sour, some bitterness and finishes with a satisfying savoury saltiness that keeps you wanting more.

Pick em from Fresh Choice, before they go.

Denis beer bum Cooper

Salubrious Selections for the Silly Season Sorted

Eight Xmas shopping days are beering down on us before the fat red man sings but if you’re like me, seven and half days procrastinating before starting. Fortunately you can’t go wrong by picking the third most popular drink in the world, just behind water and tea, it’s beer!

Here’s some great Xmas gift ideas for your most significant other.

A classic from a genuine Trappist brewer, Chimay. These Monk brewers have been refining their brews for the last 154 years and in 1956 this Monastic brewery created a Christmas beer now known as Chimay Blue. This is a 9% liquid Christmas cake with rich complex flavours of malty stewed plums and raisins and a coating of almond icing. Ranging in size options from 330mls to the special celebratory gargantuan 3 litre magnum. Drink this bad boy and believe it or not, you won’t get hungover. The brews yeast residue is recovered by the Monks, dried and compressed to form beer yeast tablets, rich in vitamin B and vitamin H and recommended as a potent natural dietary supplement. Way better than a Berocca in the morning.

The full complement of Chimay Red White and Blue can be partaken with the gift box selection including a special Trappist chalice designed to accentuate the distinctive aromas and bubbles of the brews.

 

Another Belgian heritage brewery is Duvel, with a double bottle and glass gift box. This beer exudes tradition. Tastes of champagne, dried fruits, yeast and some bitterness balanced by sweet malt and an aggressive carbonation.  Perfect for celebration.

 

But wait, there’s more.

 

A gift box of ‘Tuatara Delights’ featuring their most excellent Pilsner and APA, arguably their best rated brews, plus branded Goblet glass.

 

And for the hopheads, this is the gift box for you. Twenty years ago, Coronado Brewing Co put the IPA into San Diego and kickstarted the west coast hop revolution we have come to know and love. Their beer box selection show cases the American hop nuances, beering their four most successful examples.  

 

Gifts galore at your festive FreshChoice store.

Denis older Budweiser Cooper

Sip Pause and Enjoy

For the last five weeks I’ve been living my life totally on the edge – of the couch, fixated to the flatscreen.  The column deadline is just before the finals so the end result thus far is a mystery but certainly looking forwards to it and hopefully the resolution of the afternoon hangovers.  Commiserate or celebrate, either way you can partake with a ‘Funk Estate’.

Of the three Funk Estatians, one hails from Nelson where he crafted his craft then in pursuit of his passion absconded to Wellington to further enhance his brewing career and Wellys rep as the craftbeer capital.  The three brewers were drawn together by their love for lagers, affection for ales and an all-round passion for a pint.

Have a squiz at these four funkalicious finals refreshers

‘Parleyer Pilsner’. This brew is way bigger than its 4.5% would suggest.  A spritzy tart lime bitterness that leaves a clean crisp refreshing aftertaste.  Its got that exhilarating Savea get up and go!

‘Sophisticuffes’ 6%.  Is a hophisticated IPA with peppery orange and mango flavours and a backhand offload of bitterness. Very Rich and McCawsome!

‘Oh Lordy NZ Pale Ale’ 5.5%. Up front this brew has a punchy grassy and passionfruit hop character but also its a beer of two halves as it is equally well balanced with smooth biscuity malts.  This brew is a bit like the French side as it’s very easy to put away.

‘Pucker Up Berliner Weisse’ 4.2%. Oh’lordy, hope I spelt that right? A Berliner Weisse is a wheaty sour style of ale. The taste starts with citrusy orange then a gentle sourness  adds a multi-faceted complexity unheard of for such a low alcohol brew. Low alcohol, arrggh, you trying to kill me? Fortunately the flavours in this thirst-quenching brew will still smash ya bro with a cutting Skudder side step of crispness.

A loss doesn’t beer thinking about but thinking about beer does, so charge down a funky black magic woman from Fresh choice for a fairy-tale finish?

Denis Craft (Can’t Remember A Forking Thing) Cooper