Beer #128 - W/C 7 August 2017
BREWERY // Back in 2011 we were in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis which meant Chris Mills and his wife, Natasha Dahlberg, weren't getting much work for their movie visual effects business. Fortunately for us, Chris was able to crank up his home-brewing hobby and start supplying a local Lower Hutt market with beer he brewed in a tiny 50L kit in their rumpus room. He figured that, while the demand for pixel polishers may fluctuate, the thirst for beer would ride out any recession. Demand for Kereru beer quickly grew and they custom-built a brewery in a former linoleum factory where you can now visit for a tour and try beer fresh from the tank at the cellar door. Be sure to say 'hello' to the Kereru crew at Beervana this weekend where they are releasing 5 new botanical inspired beers.
BEER // Black Ruby was brewed especially for GABS 2016. It starts off as Imperial Moonless Stout and then has the addition of raspberries, Dominican cacao nibs from Wellington Chocolate Factory, and coffee from People's Coffee. This is a big bodied beer and should be enjoyed at room temperature to fully appreciate all of the flavours it has to offer. The flavours from the adjunct ingredients are all apparent and complimented by caramel sweetness from the huge malt bill of dark roasted and chocolate malts. Smooth, rich, balanced, sweet, bitter, we can easily see why Black Ruby won Gold in this year's Australian Beer Awards. Like last week's Velvet Boot, this is a beer that would continue to develop over years in the cellar.
BREWERY // Kereru
BEER // Black Ruby
STYLE // Imperial Stout
ORIGIN // Upper Hutt
ABV // 11.2%
TEMPERATURE // Cupboard Temperature
FOOD MATCH // Hearty Beef Stew. Shiitake Mushroom Sausages. Dark Chocolate.
GLASS // Snifter. China Teacup