Tuatara Belgian Dubbel

Time for another Tuatara Belgian Beer. This one isn't from the Beer Cellar box. Instead I picked it up at New World some time ago and as it says on the label instructions I have been storing it in a cool cupboard in the garage. Aging beer isn't something you usually think about but as I slowly drink may way through my home brew I understand that beer ages quite nicely.

Unlike the Ardennes, the Dubbel is a much closer approximation of a Belgian beer. It is malty and yeasty and has a burnt chocolately aftertaste. Rich flavours which I would expect from a Belgian brew. At 7.5% you aren't being overwhelmed by the booze but its a big bottle so probably not the best if you are driving. Still if I am feeling continental this is definitely worth another try.

Tuatara Belgian Ardennes

I went through a period where I was quite into Belgian beers. I WAS in Belgium at the time but it did carry on for a while after I left. I don't mean Stella Artois, Hoegarden and Leffe. There is much more to Belgian beer than that. Zot brewery, de Gaar and a bunch of other random stuff, not to mention Kriek. However, today I am talking about a New Zealand version of a Belgian beer. Tuatara has a range of Belgian beers including the Dubbel and the Tripel! I'll tell you about those later but today it is the Belgian Ardennes.

I was a bit disappointed when I poured it that there wasn't much head because something I associate with Belgian beers is plenty of froth. The colour of the beer was nice and light though. It was nice to have a bit of a break from the hops that permeate most NZ brews. The Belgian maltiness was definitely there and there was a touch of citrus but there wasn't really much of an aftertaste, which leaves you wanting a bit more from each mouthful. 

Overall it was a noble effort but I know that you can get so much more from Belgian beer and this hasn't quite made it yet.

Behemoth Brewing Company Chur

Another brewery so new it doesn't even have a web site today. This one is Auckland based Behemoth Brewery. They are on the Twitter and the Facebook though...Maybe I am just behind the times. Behemoth's signature brew is a New Zealand Pale ale, called Chur! Doesn't get much more Kiwi than that. (Note to International readers. "Chur" is a Kiwiism that doesn't really translate. Can I recommend you find a New Zealander and get them to teach you the appropriate way to use it.)

Chur! sells itself as being full of NZ Hops. It certainly has a hoppy taste to it, but isn't as strong as some of its competitors. The citrus hops also dominate the bitter hops so it is quite a refreshing drink. It didn't blow me away with its taste, but it is certainly nice enough to drink a few.