BREWERY // For the first couple of years of North End, Kieran Haslett-Moore contract brewed beers at friends' breweries. In 2015, North End completed the construction of their own brewery in Waikanae and haven't looked back. The brewery was joined by a tap-room and restaurant, Salt & Wood, making the Kapiti Coast a real destination for fans of good beer and food. Kieran has been a beer writer and competition judge for well over a decade so he has a pretty good idea about good beer. 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. North End take inspiration from historic and unusual styles and we aren't expecting to see a Hazy IPA from them anytime soon.
BEER // The Beer Jerk team were distraught a couple of years ago when we heard North End had taken the gorgeous winter highlight, Stout Varadero, out of their seasonal cycle. The rich, rummy stout was a Beer Jerk Towers favourite and we made a point of pleading with Kieran to bring it back at every opportunity so were absolutely delighted when when it returned from the dead recently. The base beer is a lovely classic oatmeal stout with some slightly spicy rye malt in the mix which complements the round oat body well. What makes this beer even more special is the collaboration with the legendary Wellington rum purveyors at Havana Bar who bought some Caribbean flavour to the party. The stout was aged on a blend of 3, 5, and 15 year old Ron Varadero barrel oak with predictably delicious results.
BREWERIES // North End
BEER // Stout Varadero
STYLE // Rum Oaked Stout
ORIGIN // Waikanae
ABV // 7.2%
TEMPERATURE // Cellar temp - an hour out of the fridge
FOOD MATCH // Hamekins. Bean chilli w. dark chocolate. Chocolate brownie. Vanilla ice cream.
VESSEL // Dimpled Handle