Photographer, beer-lover and Instagram influencer Dusty, picks his highlights from the latest releases from this winter.

dusty

8 Wired Betelgeuse Red IPA

Cold snaps require comforting brews and 8 Wired brewing fill that brief here with their 6% Betelgeuse Red IPA, it’s resiny grapefruit and pine to the fore, meets soft juicy peachy, apricot notes on a satiny malt backbone offering everything you want and expect in a red IPA.

Alibi Choco Stout

New winter drop from island dwellers Alibi Brewing Co, the 6.5% Choco Stout pours obsidian black with a transient head. Rich dark chocolate an espresso notes lead here on a lithe satiny mouthfeel. Bittersweet cacao and roasty undertones tie together a moreish adult choco milk, perfect for the chilly season.

dusty
dusty

Beers Mr Peanut Butter & Chocolate

Peanut butter fans unite! Mr Peanut Butter & Chocolate is back in its third iteration from 03 locals BEERS. Definitive choc malts meld seamlessly with rich creamy nutty notes delivering a well-balanced harmonious combo. Ice cream pour anyone?

Heyday Odd Assembly: Dubbel

From the Odd Assembly series comes the 7% Dubbel from Wellington outfit Heyday Brewing Co. Enchanting brew this, from the moody mahogany hue to the initial fruity esters & primary notes of cherry and plum to secondary tiers of nutty almond and toasted banana bread. Complex yet exquisite layering and balance deliver a compelling drop.

dusty
dusty

Mount Brewing triple Overhead Stout

Is this the best collab an stout in NZ for the year? I’d say so! Triple Overhead, named after the gargantuan peelers, is also a triple threat collab featuring Mount Brewing Co, Polish legends Pinta and Latvia’s Arpus Brewing. Rollin’ at 11.3% it’s all roasty toasty upfront, pouring ominous black. Velvety dark, drying chocolate flows into caramelised sugar an robust cocoa, while delectable vanilla provides a sweeping sweetness on a viscous mouthfeel and finish.  Impeccable! A must-try brew. Future awards incoming.

Ruapehu Chocolate Eclair Stout

Decadence personified in this delectable winter warmer from Ruapehu Brewing, Dangerously quaffable at 9%, encapsulating the essence of a liquid chocolate éclair. Think rich velvety chocolate meets creamy soft vanilla with cacao nibs imparting depth and layered balance, an absolute treat. Dessert is served!

dusty
dusty

Three Sisters Riddle Me This IPA

No riddles here, just a straight up westy from New Plymouth’s Three Sisters. Armed with an OG hop trio of Colombus, Amarillo & Citra, it’s clean, crispy with zesty lemon & grapefruit pops and pine for good measure. A chewy malt base pulls everything together. Beaut of a brew.

Workshop Nelcaspomona XPA

Nelcaspomona is a 5.6% XPA adn part of the in-shed experiments program straight outta Raglan’s Workshop Brewing. Nelson Sauvin & Cascade feature in the hop arsenal here alongside current go-to yeast, Pomona. pours a brazen straw hue with a voluminous head, tart under-ripe grape frontloads followed by waves of mellow passionfruit an zesty citrus. Mouthfeel is crisp, snappy yet still maintains a plump juiciness. A spritzy carb completes a crackin’ example of the style highly crushable!

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