URBANAUT TROPICAL IMPERIAL STOUT

‘Tropical’ stout is one of the more esoteric beer styles.  Essentially a milk stout with more fruit character and higher strength, although much higher in this case (12 per cent ABV), taking it way into the imperial stratosphere.  Aromas of double chocolate icecream and fresh fruit salad, with rich and intense flavours of extra-dark chocolate and tinned peaches.  The massive body and rich flavours are brought to heed by a firm bitterness that slowly but surely fastens around the lengthy finish.  For those who love a dessert wine then think of this as desert stout.  Sharp cheese is strongly recommended.  

Liberty Diversify Into Burgers & Gin

Liberty Brewing are diversifying at speed, today launching their gin range under the banner Liberty Distilling. And last month they opened an American-style burger joint next to their taproom in Helensville. There’s a sad backstory to the burger joint — previously it...

Powerhouse Collab Launches Swifty

A new beer is not usually enough to justify a story but when you’re talking powerhouse brand names Nadia Lim and Garage Project, a beer called Swifty might be in a different league. I was wondering only recently when New Zealand might see a celebrity-driven beer that...

Brothers Beer Back In Business

Brothers Beer are back in business and aim to pay off all their creditors by the end of 2024 says new general manager Frans Bos. They’ve had a management restructure, just hired Dylan Adams as head brewer after he lost his job when Deep Creek went into liquidation...

Police Defend Dunedin Festival

Police are happy with behaviour at the Dunedin Craft Beer & Food Festival earlier this month despite the event generating international headlines after two assaults — one inside the venue, one outside. Festival director Jason Schroeder felt the bad publicity...

Free Glass Flagon Scheme Launches Nationwide

Dozens of high-profile breweries around the country, including Garage Project, Parrotdog and Emerson's, are today launching a scheme that provides customers with free, returnable, 1-litre glass flagons for takeaway beer purchased at taprooms and filleries. Backed by...

Hop Federation Hold The Line NZIPA

It was already shaping up to be a pretty good year for New Zealand IPAs — and Hop Federation have nudged it a little closer to a great one with this new limited release, Hold The Line.  Powered by Southern Cross, Taiheke and Nectaron, all of which should be found...