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
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