Beer #39 - W/C 23 November 2015
BREWERY //
For two and a half years, North End brewer Kieran Haslett-Moore has been contract brewing at friends' breweries. In July North End completed the construction of their 2400 litre brewery in Waikanae. They're also planning a brewpub / restaurant on the same site which happens to be down the road from the Tuatara brewery, making the Kapiti Coast a real destination for fans of good beer. Kieran has been a beer writer and competition judge for over a decade so he has a pretty good idea what he is doing. The other two North End partners were formerly a waiter and a chef and, as Kieran is a former cheesemonger, they are especially interested in food friendly beers with a gastronomic character. We've been impressed with the beers we've drank so far from this young brewery and eagerly await the next release from their 'Salt & Wood' barrel aging programme.
TASTING NOTES //
Super Alpha is named after the hop variety which is most prominent in this pale ale. The hop has actually recently been re-named for Dr. Rudi, the 'father of New Zealand hops', so I guess North End can have the name to themselves. The hop was released in 1976 and is prized for its distinct lemongrass and pine needle flavour. Super Alpha is has a very crisp citrus flavour which pairs well with food. Brewer Kieran designed it as the perfect beer to wash away the taste of saltwater after hauling up his crab pot. We reckon he nailed it. It tastes like New Zealand Summer.
BREWERY // North End
BEER // Super Alpa
STYLE // Pale Ale
ORIGIN // Waikanae, Kapiti Coast. New Zealand
MALT // NZ Pilsner Malt. German Wheat Malt. Carapils
HOPS // Pacific Jade, NZ Cascade, Motueka & Super Alpha
OTHER // Coriander Seeds
YEAST // American Ale
ABV // 5%
IBU // 20
TEMPERATURE // Cool - 7-10C
FOOD MATCH // White Fish. Thai Green Curry. Sausage Sandwich
GLASS // IPA Glass, Pilsner Glass
Beer Style Blog - Read more about beer styles over on the BLOG.