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