Hopful Thinking

I do love writing about beer, but it doesn’t exactly pay the bills.  Not so far anyway.  And so, like most beer enthusiasts, I have a day job. It just so happens that my day job is at the very awesome Orcon.

And it just so happens that Richard, a like-minded team mate, suggested that Orcon should do an Awesome beer; with none other than our local hop-head, Luke Nicholas of Epic.

I guess the powers-that-be liked the idea because the next minute we were hanging out with Luke at Steam, laying down a mash, designing a killer label, and making a youtube video about it. I gotta say, we had a great time, and I reckon we’ve done a pretty good job on the beer too.

Epic Orcon Pale Ale pours a bright golden hue and just a little white head.  The subtle aroma of passionfruit greets you and from the first sip, caramel malt characters fade out to a bitter hop finish.  The mouthfeel is velvety with just a hint of effervescence to remind you it’s there.

At 5.6%, Epic Orcon ale makes for a refreshing session beer, perfect for a late night gaming session or just a quiet afternoon, you know, checking Facebook.

Epic Orcon Ale wants to be your friend – you should totally accept this request.

epicorcon.co.nz

After sampling some of Wigram’s beers at the 2012 New Zealand Beer Festival I was happy to spy a bottle of their Spruce Beer at New World Victoria Park.

This beer is based on Captain’s Cooks original recipe as first made in Dusky Sound, New Zealand, 1771.

Was this recipe developed by Captain Cook and his men in desperation upon their arrival in New Zealand? With no hops or barley to be found?

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Because it is …

Epic Brewing Company – Larger

Couldn’t agree more…  in fact I warmed up with one before the Beer Fest.  But definitely not a session beer (unless it’s a very, very serious session!)

Anyone try Larger for the first time on Saturday?  Mind blown?

Nestled in the natural beauty that is the Coromandel Peninsula, just a few short hours drive from Auckland, there is a brewery known simply as the Coromandel Brewing Company. Neil Vowles has been brewing beer since his student days.  In the 80’s good beer in the UK was hard to come by; this combined with a student budget made brewing his own an attractive option.  His passion for brewing carried on as a hobby until moving to the Coromandel in 2008, and finding a lack of craft beers in the area.  The solution was obvious – start a small brewery and fill the void!

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7.0ABV, 330ml glass bottle, Blenheim NZ, purchased from New World Birkenhead

Sweet toffee on the nose, turning to a malty, bitter toffee on the palate. The Golden Tusk Special comes across as a traditional british ale in similar style to Old Speckled Hen and it’s ilk.

Despite the 7% heft, the alcohol is barely detectable and this is supremely easy to enjoy.

Recommended session beer, at least, if you’re in the mood for a big night!