We’re heading into winter and that’s the traditional time to pull out stouts and porters
If you’ve not wrapped your laughing gear around a glorious dark beer now is the time to explore them. If porter sounds like a bloke carrying bags at a railway station in another century, it’s time to level up. If you’ve always thought stout-equals-Guinness then think again. The Irish drop might be world famous but its harsh, burnt edge is not everyone’s cup of over-stewed tea. These days there’s plenty of sweeter, more delectable options.
So, here’s a dark beer starter kit to get you going this winter.
Zeelandt Black Monk
A dark lager that retains the light body that defines a good lager but has the additional pleasure of subtle chocolate and filter coffee flavours layered underneath. Zeelandt from Esk Valley in Hawke’s Bay make some of the best classic German-style beers in the country and this Schwarzbier (4.9 per cent) is an easy way into darker beers.
Burkes Unforgiven Porter
Burkes out of Tekapo know about the cold and how to beat it, with a warming porter. Named Champion Beer at last year’s Brewers Guild of New Zealand Awards, Unforgiven Porter (5.9 per cent) delivers chocolate and creamy coffee on a dreamily light body with just a hint of spice and plums. Rich sweetness is perfectly offset by a coffee bean bitterness and earthy hop-driven finish.
Cassels Milk Stout
This benchmark beer (5.2 per cent) became something of a global legend a couple of years back when it beat out Guinness to be named the best stout at the World Beer Awards. That kind of accolade is understandable to long-time fans of this Christchurch brew: it’s silky smooth, a little bit sweet with lots of chocolate and just-right roasted coffee bitterness.
Three Boys Oyster Stout
Every year Three Boys in Christchurch load up their brew kettle with the freshest Bluff oysters to create one of New Zealand’s most iconic beers (6.5 per cent). It’s worth noting that according to the late and revered beer scribe Michael Jackson, oyster stout was invented in New Zealand. Think salted caramel crossed with roast coffee beans.
North End Pit Boss
North End’s Pit Boss (7 per cent) is a smoked doppelbock (a dark, lush lager), where the savoury manuka-smoked malt with its intense bacon aroma, offsets the sweetness of the dark malts to create a balanced drinking experience.
Boneface The Darkness India Stout
This is for those who want their stouts with a little edginess. Made in the American-style, The Darkness (5.8 per cent) has hop-driven grapefruit and orange zest flavours that intermingle with the chocolate and coffee … a bit like a Terry’s Chocolate Orange.
Michael Donaldson
Freelance Writer