Beer #159 - W/C 12 March 2018
BEER // Farmhouse Ale is a bit of a catch-all term and can cover a very wide range of beers. They were originally made as low-ish alcohol refreshment for farmworkers and labourers in Wallonia and other places in Europe. Farmers would grow their own ingredients and brew on site to keep the staff hydrated. Prospector is a beautiful New Zealand take on the style taking the best parts of an XPA, a pilsner and a saison to make for a delicious, thirst quenching beer best drunk in the sunshine. Unlike many brewers, Adam is an excellent writer and you can read about his Wild West inspiration for the beer on his blog where he also talks about the genesis of the recipe and trialling different yeast strains. Homebrewers can also recreate the recipe and Adam would be keen to try your take on Prospector if you do. This rounded beer has a light malt honey sweetness, lots of tropical fruit from the Motueka and Kohatu hops and slightly spicy phenols from the Belgian yeast.
BREWERY // Sparks
BEER // Prospector
STYLE // Farmhouse Ale
ORIGIN // Papakura
ABV // 4.9%
TEMPERATURE // Cool - 9-12C
FOOD MATCH // Sashimi. Fish & chips & mushy peas. Edam. Pad Thai
GLASS // Tulip. Thistle