Beer – #546 – Tuatara – Sauvinova

Single hop, single records, single digits and singing at a party

Full malt body copiously hopped with Nelson Sauvin displaying mouthwatering gooseberry, pineapple and grapefruit flavours. Balanced bitterness.

It’s a Tuatara, they made a bottle like it.

A 330ml bottle, that is the familiar lumps and bumps to imitate a real Tuatara, a beer that is 5.2% ABV, has a rating of 34 IBU, comes in at around 156 calories, and the equivalent of 1.35 standard drink units.

Brewed by Tuatara Brewing Company in the style that is a American Pale Ale or in some places might be an India Pale Ale (IPA) or the brewer says “Single Hop Pale Ale” and they do that in Paraparaumu, New Zealand

Kiwis are notorious for developing an enthusiasm for local commodities only after a thumbs up from the more discerning parts of the world.

haircut and a new beer!

In the case of Nelson Sauvin hops we think that’s a little unfair.

Tuatara and Sauvin were released into the world at about the same time so we knew them back in the day.

Brought to you with Liquorland, Sauvinova is a single hop pale ale celebrating the tropical gooseberry hit of Sauvin’s Sauvignon Blanc namesake. Bottoms up.

Full malt body copiously hopped with Nelson Sauvin displaying mouthwatering gooseberry, pineapple and grapefruit flavours. Balanced bitterness.

What could go wrong?

Well nothing as it turns out, or not much anyway.

This has a dazzling aroma on opening, all fresh green hops.

Pour is orange yellow, darker than you might expect, I’m always led by ‘pale’ perhaps I should pay attention. The head is variable and transient, and the aroma is really big.

I get a lot of oranges in the aroma, might also be passionfruit. Whatever it is it is nice. Might of course be grapefruit. It’s not however a fruit salad.

Cracking amount of bitterness on the tongue, so moorish. Feels really carbonated although the appearance would have you otherwise..

There is no hiding in a single hop beer, this appears to have been expertly put together, delivering a bitterness, light dryness and a decent linger. It drinks well, has a decent length of taste and does invite you to have another sip or two. This might be due the lovely malt sweetness or middle, for some I could imagine this being a bit sweet or cloying. For me, now, this is right on the money.

Easy drinking and at a modest ABV this is a beer that you could drink and after a few still hold a reasonable conversation about or despite of.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 10 a of its things from the thing. For a single hop beer, for a single source distribution (mostly), this is a really good beer. You could have expected a half-hearted effort, after all captive audience, but this is far from that. I even went for another 6 pack, and I know there is a keg about to go on tap at the local bottle shop for a FYO.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? I am, it is both a simple and yet layered and rewarding beer.
Would I have another? I am having another and will have another after that.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I’d for sure be happy if you turned up with a 6-pack of this, and I’d bring one to yours, it’s just a bit good.

So, I was rummaging around this and that and ended up listening to, amongst other one hit wonders “The Turtles” and their sone “Elenore”

You got a thing about you
I just can’t live without you
I really want you, Elenore, near me
Your looks intoxicate me

AMERICAN PALE ALE

American Pale Ales are light in color, ranging from golden to a light copper color. The style of this beer is defined by the American hops used. American hops typically have high bitterness and aroma.This is a perfect beer for big fare like grilled burgers or combination pizzas, as well as lighter fare like sushi and green salads

INDIA PALE ALE & IPA

India Pale Ale gets its name and unique style from British brewers who were making beer for export to India. This style has an intense hop flavor which was used to preserve the beer for the long voyage. India Pale Ale has a golden to copper color with a medium maltiness and body. The aroma is moderate to very strong. IPAs work especially well at cutting the heat of chili, vindaloo or Sichuan cuisine.