So for a long time, we’ve been avid fans of the New Zealand Beer Festival, ever since our first back in 2007 – where I first laid tastebuds upon Epic Mayhem and discovered the wonder that is HOPS.
However just this week, we’ve had the privilege of a sticky beak around the Cloud, and scored interviews with the organisers and some of the brewers. So we thought we’d share a few hot tips and snippets, to get you in the mood for the big day.
There can be no doubt that New Zealand is one nation under Beer. Since its very beginnings as a settled colony, Beer has been an essential part of our culture and history – indeed one of the first things that Captain Cook did upon landing in our beautiful country … was to make a fresh batch of beer. So it’s little wonder that more than a few books have been written on the subject.
However, there’s always room for a fresh approach, and I was delighted when Michael Donaldson offered to send a review copy of the appropriately titled “Beer Nation: The Art and Heart of Kiwi beer”.
Right from the outset, the book has an air of quality to it, but the temptation to make a “coffee table” book too bulky to read has been tactfully avoided. Beer Nation is a book that looks great in a way that invites you to pick it up and start reading.
Michael’s warm and flowing narrative immediately draws you in with a very personal story of his relationship with beer, and carries on to cover a broad range of topics; from the ancient origins of our favourite fermented beverage to a “who’s who” of New Zealand’s vibrant beer community. A lot of ground is covered without becoming dry or boring. Backing up the enjoyable narrative, there are enough tables of facts and figures to satisfy the geekiest of beer geeks, and the rich imagery throughout makes Beer Nation a great visual experience too.
I can’t recommend this book enough for anyone interested in Beer, or just New Zealand history; and with its wonderful presentation it would make a great gift for most any Kiwi Dad on Father’s Day. The history of boutique beer in New Zealand is a real rollercoaster, and I can think of no better way to ride than to grab yourself a great Kiwi beer or three and plonk yourself in a comfy armchair with a copy of this book.
And if it’s not enough to cover history, Beer Nation may well be making history – as the first book being launched along with a companion beer, Message in a Bottle, a brew which pays homage to the early New Zealand IPAs inspired by those from the Motherland. If you happen to be in the City of Sails (that’s Auckland, by the way) on Wednesday the 1st of August, be sure to drop in at O’Carrolls Freehouse, 6pm onwards, for the grand launch of these two fine commentaries on New Zealand beer history.
BEER NATION: The Art and Heart of Kiwi Beer by Michael Donaldson / Penguin Books / Available from 27th July 2012 / RRP $44.99 (NZD)
Message in a Bottle / Epic Brewing Company / English-style IPA / 7.5abv / Available from the 1st August 2012 / $TBA
O’Carrolls Irish Bar, 10 Vulcan Lane, Auckland CBD / 6pm onwards, 1st August 2012 / Free admission
The Malthouse, 48 Courtenay Place, Wellington / 8pm onwards, 2nd August 2012 / Free admission
Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn, 292 Kilmore St, Christchurch City / 7pm onwards, 6th August 2012 / $55 with book, $30 without, call +64 3 365 1523 for more information
Welcome, intrepid visitor, to the home of the Hopful Thinkers.
Who are the Hopful Thinkers? We are a motley assortment of “Craft Beer Enthusiasts” – and good mates. We get together every Wednesday, and drink, and discuss, and think about Beer. And whatever else comes to mind. We blog about beer, brewing, breweries, brewers, and other related beer-type subjects and we are “all up in that social media” – whatever the hell that means.
So of course, we are going to be at the NZ Beer Festival. Come have a drink with us – we are wearing black polos, with our catch cry emblazoned on the back:
I DRINK, THEREFORE I AM.
We’ll be putting up some bits here and on twitter… to help you find the best stuff at the Beer Festival as we do.
In the meantime, here are some tips from a seasoned NZ Beer Fester to help make your NZ Beer Fest 2012 a successful one…
Wishing you an enjoyable and safe day at the NZ Beer Festival — and hope to see you around!
Cheers,
Dan (of the Hopful Thinkers)
Tigers. Balls of Twine. Pyramids. Waimea Bay Waves, Ohakune Carrots. Some things are meant to be big. Not least the Imperial Pilsener we’ve all been waiting for. Well, at least we have been here at the Hopful Thinkers. The beer we are talking about is of course, Epic Larger.
We were fortunate enough to score a couple from the lads at Epic for a wee taster. Far be it from us to refuse. So here we go.
Light in colour; white head dissipates to a lasting lace, nose reveals a fruity bouquet, smooth and wet mouthfeel, stalky red grapes, sherbety tang and a shitload of potential… The slightly bitter finish rounds it out nicely.
If you’d not read the bottle, you would have no clue it was hiding 8.5% of alcohol, I must say Larger sure goes down easy.
This is an absolutely superb example of a Pilsener. I can’t wait until it’s had a couple of weeks to open up and reveal its true colours, it’s damn good already!
For sure this will be my boozy summer afternoon beer of choice…
So a few short weeks ago, Chris and I were having an idle chat, on the internet, whilst at work. The subject usually strays onto beer at some point or another, and we’d been talking about the Flying Nun, a most excellent beer, and some of our other faves from Epic.
Epic - It Just Tastes Bigger
I get back into my work and a few minutes later google chat pips.. and it’s Chris. “Should I email Luke, and ask if we can visit Epic HQ?” – funny enough I’d just been thinking the same thing. And there was only one correct response… “Do it!!”
