Beer #211 - W/C 11 March 2019
BREWERY // In the Winter of 2013, after years of home-brewing, Karl Kayes opened up Brewtopia Home Brew Supplies in Te Aro, central Wellington. The decision to start a commercial brewery with old friend Stuart Gebbie seemed inevitable and a year later Te Aro Brewing Co. was born, brewing beers in the back of the shop. Their reputation for excellent beer meant speedy growth and a bigger space was necessary. The brewery is now located in a former Dunlop tyre factory in Upper Hutt. The local council has been supportive of breweries meaning the area is now known as 'Brewtown' with neighbours including Kereru, Boneface and Panhead (Lion) making it a most excellent location for a day trip. In keeping with Karl's home-brew background, you can find his recipes on the Te Aro website. It'd probably be polite to post him a bottle if you do though.
BEER // Waaay back in September 2014 Ballast Point brewed a version of their Sculpin IPA with grapefruit and the beer world went crazy for it. It seems obvious now but the pithy, bitter citrus of the fruit compliments and enhances hop flavours perfectly. The grapefruit/hop combo was so delicious it smashed any preconceptions that fruit beers are sweet and flimsy. Grapefruit-A-Go-Go is a big bodied, fruity IIPA. The addition of NZ grapefruit zest and juice gives the beer the perception of having a higher IBU bitterness. The natural aromas and flavour of the fruit beautifully harmonises with the hops and rounded bready sweetness of the big malt bill.
BREWERY // Te Aro
BEER // Grapefruit-A-Go-Go
STYLE // Imperial IPA
ORIGIN // Brewtown, Upper Hutt
ABV // 6.7%
TEMPERATURE // Cool. 7-11C
FOOD MATCH // Poke Bowl. Hummus. Grilled Fish. Thai Green Curry. Scotch Egg.
GLASS // IPA Glass