Tag Archives: Alcohol by volume

Jun 19 2013

Beer- #184 – Yeastie Boys – Golden Age of Bloodshed


Yeastie Boys – Golden Age of Bloodshed,  Which comes from Yeastie Boys and is brewed at Invercargill Brewery in the style of a  Spice/Herb/Vegetable beer. I’ve also seen this described as a Belgium Pale Ale.

GrowlerIt’s a 6.5% ABV beer, and this time I got this in a “Growler” of 2 litres from the nice people at Liquorland in Newmarket, Auckland. 500mls of a 6.5% ABV beer should be about 2.8 Standard drinks, so a growler would be about 12-ish standard drink equivalents

This is a “heavily beeted Belgian blond”  beer, So what’s in store is a beer that’s likely to be very pink in colour and confused in taste.

There’s nothing special on the aroma, a little spicy maybe.

It’s a crazy pink colour, with a lively pink fluffy head that dies away to a film.

I wasn’t expecting that colour to be honest. The Aroma doesn’t change much either, remains vaguely spicy in a vague way.

PINK BEERSo to the taste.

Which ends up being of not a lot of much. You’d expect something tart from the beetroot. And the Spicy aroma you’d think would be the base of a wheat type beer.

But there isn’t anything definable.

This is a beer that isn’t bitter, isn’t sweet, does not have a sharp finish, or a tart beginning. It’s a bit, well, boring.

As it warms a bit you get a bit of ‘rough’ in the middle but it’s not heavy, harsh, or a note on it’s own. And you might begin to pick up some background banana flavour (of all things)

It’s also, being fair, thin. But it’s not dull or insipid. It’s sweet enough to be unobtrusive, but there isn’t a personality.

Overall the pdubyah-o-meter says —– 6 making it a bit average, but at the better end of average than the “meh” end. Yeastie Boys are a bit edgy at times and have a couple of spectacular hits, the His Majesty 2012 for instance, which is awesomsauce. This however is it’s shadow, an absolute swing and a miss in terms of flavour profile, but again, it isn’t unpleasant or undrinkable, and I’m easily going to finish this without wondering how I’ll drink the last mouthful, and that’s why it’s a 6 not a 5 or less.

I’ve drunk much much worse beer than this in terms of a profile, or point taste. This doesn’t have anything standout, and if you take out “where’s the single taste point”, or even “what’s the point”  this isn’t all that bad.

Jun 8 2013

Beer – #181 – Brew Moon – Luna-Wit


Brew Moon,  the New Zealand one,  Luna-Wit - Brewed by Brew Moon Brewing Company in the style of a  Wheat Ale from the town of Amberley, North Canterbury, New Zealand

Brew Moon - Luna-Wit

This is a 500ml of a 5% ABV beer – which is about 2 standard drinks

Luna-Wit Wheat Beer inspired by Belgian Wit or cloudy wheat beer this beer contains a large proportion of wheat malt spiced up with coriander, orange peel and a mystery spice. Warning: May improve your humour and wit!

The initial aroma seems a bit ‘sour’,  the pour a nice dark golden colour, but lacks a head, despite the intense fizzy carbonation. The Aroma then tends to sweet.

It’s not cloudy, and initially all there is by way of taste is the malt.  I wasn’t expecting a taste explosion with this, and I based that on the alcohol content. But this isn’t unpleasant.

But what it isn’t is also anything like what I thought a Wheat ale might be like and it’s not as estery as German or Belgian-style beers.  (These are generally light, fruity, floral scents).

My top up pour produced a head, yay! but it was fleeting, and it got cloudier.

This is a fairly crisp beer, with delicate tastes and an unassuming palate. It’s quaffable and enjoyable as a fine beer. Despite not having a whole range of complex layers this is pretty competent as a drink, but there is no length of taste, no bite, no hidden flavour waiting for the warmth to release it.

The pdubyah-o-meter says 7 things from it’s thing, making it “good”. As an alternate to other very commercial beers this would be a fine and more then acceptable substitute. What you’re not going to have though is a conversation about the flavour delivery of this. What will will have is a smile.

As a craft beer though, and in advance I state I might have misunderstood wheat ale , this really doesn’t showcase anything. I’m not saying that craft brewers need to be pushing an envelope, although they should be, but this is a style that might not be well known, and if this is a leading example of the style then fair play. But it’s not going to be a wildly commercial success and be the next ‘black’.

However, unlike other craft brewery places who seem to cobble together all sorts of mistakes and over-brews and then label them up as “brew master specials” or “exciting adventures”, Brew Moon seem to be sure of their footing. And for that they get a thumbs up.

Jun 7 2013

Beer – #178 – Garage Project – Pernicious Weed


ah yes Garage Project Pernicious Weed, Brewed by Garage Project in the style of a India Pale Ale (IPA) and they do that in Windy Wellington, New Zealand.

650ml bottle of an 8% ABV beer, making it  4.1 standard drinks

Garage Project- Pernicious WeedThe arrival of hops to the brewing scene in England in the 1500’s led to a moral panic. Hops were condemned as a “wicked and pernicious weed”, one which would lead to the erosion of social and moral standards. Thank goodness they were right. Here’s hoping that our homage to the original pernicious weed continues this gradual decline. Organic Rakau and whole cone Nelson Sauvin go head to head in this strong, golden, hoppy brew. Bitter, yes. Intensely hoppy, absolutely. Too much, never.

There’s a cracking hop aroma on opening. Oh my giddy Aunt. Its very pale golden like a Lager, and has a decent foamy head and a nose full of grassy hoppiness.

Despite being very pale light brown\amber  it’s also very cloudy and murky, the head lasts too and does not die away to a pale film.

Oh gosh that’s bitter.

There is a gorgeous collision of citrus tones, like grapefruits, that bang against grass, and altogether they have a really long length of  taste.

However , there’s not a lot a sweetness in this, it’s fairly harsh at the edges. You’ll forget you’re drinking a fairly strong beer, and you’ll be reaching for another.  Despite it’s uncouth nature the pdubyah-o-meter says 9 – making a great beer. a great great beer.

It’s bitter, edgy and lacks finesse, but it has a certain devil-may-care about it that makes it a bit good. The New Zealand Craft beer makers should be paying attention to this. I think what I like as well is the off hand way they present their beers, sort go “here you go give this a crack” and I’m a bit jealous of that.

There is not a lot not to like about this, and I’m going to nurse what’s left in my bottle. This is as good as or the equal of a beer I rate highly, and have brought again – the Chatoe Rogue OREgasmic Ale. And now I’ll be in a quandary about which to buy to satisfy my need to a hop hit.

Perhaps I’ll have a taste off, if only Dan would get his A into G he’d enjoy this.

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Jun 1 2013

Beer – #176 – Schneider – Aventinus


Schneider Aventinus – Tap 6 - Brewed by Weissbierbrauerei G. Schneider & Sohn in the style of a  Weizen Bock in Kelheim, Germany.

bit like me then —– Schneider - AventinusDeep and complex – for big and relaxing moments by the fire.

Dark-ruby colored wheat doppelbock with a creamy fine head. Strong notes of ripe bananas, raisins and plums meet liquorice and roasty aromes. Full-bodied and warming, with a well-balanced and smooth finish. The ideal companion for hearty roast meat, venison and also fruity chocolate desserts, “Kaiserschmarrn” (pancakes), “Elisenlebkuchen” (christmas cookies) or blue cheese.

Oldest wheat doppelbock of Bavaria. Since 1907.  500ml bottle of an 8.2% ABV beer – making it 3.2 standard drinks – and I don’t have a roast meal either. I have rice crackers, this may end badly :-)

I get the same slightly sour aroma on opening, it’s a very dark pour, I got a smidgin of a head, and it settled to a lovely fruit aroma. Rich like raisins.

The think I noted on the mouthfeel was the alcohol astringent. It kind of looms over the taste a bit. Perhaps I have it too cold, there are fruit notes in there but aren’t being forthcoming.

And for that though the pdubyah-o-meter thinks this is a bit of a fail, and comes up an arbitrary 6 on the scale of arbitrary- making it at the low end and just above average.  I might be having an off day, I didn’t get any of the notes that I was expecting to get – the plums, the liquorice,  and it’s not full bodied by my understanding.

I’d be reluctant to have another.

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Jun 1 2013

Beer – #175 – Schneider Weisse – Original


Schneider Weisse Original, Tap 7 – Unser Original - Brewed by Weissbierbrauerei G. Schneider & Sohn in the unsurprising style of a German Hefeweizen in Kelheim, Germany.

Thus is a 500ml of a 5.4% ABV beer (2.1 Standard Drinks), this one came recommended to me.

Schneider Weisse - OriginalWith its amber-mahogany coloring and streaked with fine top-fermented yeast, this beer has a fine, persistent head that adheres well to the glass. It is pleasantly fruity with a typical top-fermented smell, an aroma of clove and nutmeg apple tantalizes the nose. On the tongue it is fresh, clean, full-bodied, harmonious and well-balanced. It finishes with a light, delicate taste of bitters leaving behind a sour impression.

Sort of both sweet and sour aroma on opening, It’s a much darker beer than you’d expect, and it has a whopper of a head. The aroma stays the same, sort of a sweet malt but with a peppery thing going on.

Although you’d think that there’s a mouthful of sweet malt this isn’t exactly what happens, you get a warm sweet that somehow turns into a sweet bitter. I’m a bit betwixt and between on this. It’s ok, the taste is good, but there isn’t a lot of length in it. It then occurs to me that this is a “dry” tasting beer. See sometimes I get it!

I don’t know however if I get the alleged “banana” or “vanilla” that might be expected, it would have been something to have experienced.

Probably more a summer beer than a first of winter tipple, but this is an easy drink, there is nothing that is offensive or that you’d find distasteful, and I can see why it’s successful .

The pdubyah-o-meter says I should rate this at 8 being as how it’s all a bit good but not spectacular. If I had a mind to have a party I’d probably get some in because it’d go down well. The nice caramel note invites you in and the little sour back means you’re actually enjoying  and experience.  I had no trouble drinking this, and I know lots of people feel the same way.

May 31 2013

Beer – #174 – Renaissance – Enlightenment Series – Scotch on Rye 70/- Ale


For a Friday then, the Renaissance Enlightenment Series Scotch on Rye 70/- Ale.

Renaissance - Scotch on Rye..it means ’70 shilling’ (sigh, OK, I will tell the whole story). We were asked to make a big malty beer that is lower in alcohol than a Scotch Ale so we went to the source and brewed another Scottish style, the 70/- Ale. Malty and satisfying without too much kick. Oh and we brewed this one with Rye… because Rye not! We also used oats and wheat in the mash for flavour and mouth-feel and then left the brew to age on Oak until it was smooth and mellow.

Brewed by Renaissance Brewing in the style of a  Scotch Ale in the most unlikely of places – Blenheim, New Zealand. A  500ml, 4.8%ABV bottle of beer. (2 standard drinks worth).  and an IBU of 17 – which is in the range for Scottish Beers. Best drunk at between 8-10 degrees C. Well it’s pretty cold out so lets try it.

Light bready yeast on opening, surprisingly dark brown colour, plenty of carbonation fizz, and a meagre head.  the aroma settles to a sweet fruit.

There is a lovely maltiness and balanced bitterness, with a pretty long note. You know you’ve had a mouthful of beer. Surprisingly multi layered and very entertaining!

I like it but there is a ‘tang’ in there somewhere, perhaps the Rye? it’s sort of in the middle, might be mistaken for “rubber”.  I’m not saying it’ll put you off, but it’s something you might need to be aware of that is a character of the beer.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this 7.5 of things – making it a better then good beer.  It’s a quirky beer, and it might be a one shot deal. It is different, it isn’t “strong” in terms of alcohol content, and therefore relies on a taste profile. Not sure that it hits any of the marks well, but close enough is good enough.

May 24 2013

Beer – #172 – Rogue – Brutal IPA


yes indeed, Rogue Brutal IPA, Brewed by Rogue Ales IN the style of a India Pale Ale (IPA)  and that all takes place in Newport, Oregon USA

Rogue - Brutal IPABrutal combines Oregon hops with English Malts. The Oregon grown Crystal hop is a triploid variety developed from the German Hallertau aroma hop variety with contributions from Cascade, Brewers Gold, and Early Green. Crystal is the only hop used in brewing Brutal and it provides a massive amount of aroma without dry-hopping. The English malts used are floor malted Pipkin (a mellow cross of Maris Otter and Warboys, from an English company called Beeston), Cara Vienna and Cara Wheat.

A 650ml bottle of a 6%ABV beer (3.2 standard drinks), and at 59 IBU it can be expected to be “bitter”

It definitely has a bitter aroma on opening, pours a lovely ambers and has a decent fluffy and light head. Still has a grassy hop aroma and it appears to be on a solid malt base, I get lemon/grapefruit.

Gosh that’s easy drinking with a lovely front of some soft sweetness and after a long note ends nicely and softly bitter.  It has a really nice mouthfeel it’s sort of fluffy as best I can describe. I’m not so sure that such a punch of malts makes this a beer that is comfortable to drink. And “Brutal” isn’t quite what I got delivered.

However this isn’t dry hopped and therefore has to carry what it has as it is. I was expecting more bitterness, and less maltiness. I’m really enjoying this though, despite my misgivings I stand by ‘easy drinking’ but I also think that you’d struggle to drink this in a session.

The pdubyah-o-meter though, always controversial, an unpredictable says 8 – making it very good on the arbitrary nature of the scale. I’d buy this for you in a pub, but only if I knew you and we’d had been out drinking before. I’m not sure that it’s a beer that I’d stand up and say to someone who was used to more commercial beer flavours that this was a shining example of why they needed to change. They might find it too sugary and a bit flat on completeness.

For me though, this isn’t bad, and I’ve yet to have a Rogue beer that’s really let me down. If I had a bucket list it would for sure contain a visit to the brewer to shake the hand of a master, and then 6 months later to leave and do the next thing on the list :-)

If I had a mind (or wallet) that had a stocked beer fridge, and I had the sort of friends that popped around for a beer or two, I’d be ok with serving this to them without fear that they wouldn’t like it.

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May 18 2013

Beer – #170 – Garage Project – Aro Noir


Garage Project – Aro Noir – I’ve been looking forward to this - Brewed by Garage Project in the Style of a  Stout and they’re all about Wellington, New Zealand

Garage Project - Aro Noirfor those of you who don’t know Aro there is a light side and a dark side to the valley. For those of us on the dark side of the street it’s been a long dark winter. But salvation is nigh. The coming of Spring has brought the first teasing hints that the sun might come again to the Garage.

It’s pitch black and full flavoured but with a nice balance of hops and roast malt character. At its heart is English Maris Otter pale malt, with a touch of Crystal and a generous addition of Roast and Black malts. The hops are American, Chinook andSummit, creating a nice citric bitterness and aroma which marries nicely with the roast malt character. At 7.1% abv it’s rich but not heavy or cloying.

Yes, it is inspired by the darkness of a Wellington winter in Aro Valley, but truly it is a stout for all seasons.

A generous 650ml bottle of a 7% ABV beer – making it about 3.8 standard drink units, I’m unreasonably excited by the prospect of this. Madmess.

The cap-off aroma is of chocolates – It’s a tar black pour with a brown fluffy head that soon dies away. There seems to be a rich collection of aromas in the glass, but I get a lot of dark fruit.

And there is nothing you’re you’re not expecting in the taste, it’s full rich and a bit good.  There is smokey, there is coffee, there is a nice bitter front and a long warm finish. I would have liked less bitter up front, but that’s a pick not a complaint. There is enough each mouthful to make this very enjoyable.

The pdubyah-o-meter says 7.75 of it’s things, it could do with more body and for me a bit more malt sweet. The layers of taste are there but they could be there more.  It’s not to say that I wouldn’t over indulge with this on a night out, and that’d make the walk home a bit wobbly and longer than  expected. Fine stuff.

Oh and as an aside – this is post #500. I’m not sure what else I wrote about other than beer, I’ll make a note to review it some time.

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May 18 2013

Beer – #169 – Queenstown Brewers – 25oz Pilsner


Queenstown Brewers – 25oz Pilsner - Brewed by Queenstown Brewers in the style of a Pilsener and of course from Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown Brewers - Pilsner

330ml bottle of a 5% ABV beer (1.3 standard drink units) and 31 IBU things – Pilsner being 25-45 range

A crisp Kiwi style Pilsner made from premium NZ malt and hops. Not fined or filtered.

in1870, a 28oz gold nugget was found by the miners at One Mile Creek. They celebrated with barrels of beer…

it says.

Tang of hops on opening, Pale Golden pour with a nice headsworth of froth, the unmistakable lager  aroma. And passionfruit.

Grassy mouthfeel,  but it’s all up-front and doesn’t finish to much. I’m mildly disappointed in this, it seems, again, the brewer has settled for middle when they should be aiming higher. The pdubyah-o-meter says 6 things on its scale of things. Making this a beer that sits in a whole lot of other beers clamouring for attention that they don’t deserve.

I feel a bit mean and spiteful when I say there is not a lot of body, carry, or love in this. The brewer has two beers a brown one and a yellow one. Market covered. And they’re both a bit “emperors new clothes”  It’s a way short of any mark that would make it memorable or remarkable.

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May 18 2013

Beer – #168 – Queenstown Brewers – Steam Brew


Another new find - Queenstown Brewers – Steam Brew - Brewed by Queenstown Brewers in the Style of a California Common and not surprisingly they do this in Queenstown, New Zealand.

330ml bottle 5.9% ABV (around 1.3 standard drinks) and an IBU of 33 – which is low end English Bitter . Califonia Common - Style originating in 18th century California, where brewers without access to refrigeration produced beers using lager yeasts and warm temperatures. These still retain some of the rounded character inherent in all lagers, but with a dose of ale fruitiness.

Queenstown Brewesrs - Steam BrewDuring the Otago gold rush, miners brought with them a thirst for a beer that originated in the Californian goldfields called Steam. It was a highly charged brew that let off a good head of steam when the barrels were tapped. The brew had the smooth richness of lager, combined with the fruity bitterness of ale, much like the beer you are drinking now.

Bready yeasty aroma to kick off with.  It is a really nice brown colour beer, and has a decent head to go with it. Aroma on the pour moves more to hops.

This is decently bitter, but instantly I’m thinking it lacks body. There are grass notes on the palate, but there isn’t a lot of length in the taste to linger over it. There’s not a lot of swee under notes either. A bit one dimensional.

It is decently carbonated and as it sits for a bit the floral note is more evident. But it’s not really enough to move this forward. It is another new brewer doing something safe and middle-of-the-road, which for a commercial enterprise is dandy and fine. But this isn’t going to ring any bells and as a result the pdubyah-o-meter says that this is a middling 6 of it’s things on the scale of things.

If I’m in Queenstown again I’d be sure to look up the brewery and be in awe of the enterprise. This though as a beer is drinkable, enjoyable and would carry you a night of merriment and good company, but it wouldn’t be remembered for it’s presence. And that’s a pity.

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