New Zealand has a unique beer culture, boasting some of the best craft breweries in the world. Our country is renowned for its clean, green environment, and this is reflected in the quality of our craft beers. With so many beer styles to choose from, we take a look at some of the best and most unique New Zealand beer styles.
Pale Ale
Pale ale is one of the most popular beer styles in New Zealand. A pale ale is a hoppy beer with a golden color and a light body. It has a fruity or floral aroma, a malty flavor, and is usually lower in alcohol content than other beer styles. Pale ales in New Zealand often have citrus notes, making them refreshing and perfect for the warmer months.
Porter
Porter is a full-bodied and complex beer style. It is dark in color and usually has a robust malt flavor, making it very popular with craft beer drinkers. Porters in New Zealand tend to have notes of caramel, chocolate, and coffee and are often aged in rum barrels to give them an extra depth of flavor.
IPA
IPA, or India Pale Ale, is a style of beer originating from England. It is an intensely-hopped beer and has a golden color and a medium to high alcohol content. New Zealand IPAs tend to be light and fruity, with citrus notes, offering a unique taste of the region’s hops.
Stout
Stout is a dark beer with a strong roasted malt flavor and a thick, creamy texture. It has a slightly sweet flavor with hints of coffee and chocolate and is usually higher in alcohol content than other beer styles. New Zealand stouts are often brewed with local hops, giving them a unique flavor profile.
Lagers
Lager is a light beer made with bottom-fermenting yeast. It has a crisp, refreshing flavor and is usually lower in alcohol content than other beer styles. New Zealand lagers tend to be light and fruity with citrus or tropical notes, making them the perfect beer for summer.
Fruit Beers
Fruit beers are a unique beer style made with fruit instead of hops. The most popular New Zealand fruit beers are made using boysenberries, feijoas, and kiwifruit. These beers have a sweet, fruity flavor that is balanced by a light, hoppy bitterness.
Sour Beers
Sour beers are a unique beer style that are becoming more popular in New Zealand. These beers are typically acidic and tart, with flavors such as lemon, raspberry, or passionfruit. They are often aged in oak barrels, giving them added complexity and depth of flavor.
Unique Brews
New Zealand brewers are renowned for their experimentation and innovation, creating some truly unique and interesting beers. From barrel-aged beers to smoked beers, and even beers brewed with native ingredients, the possibilities are endless.
The Benefits of New Zealand Craft Beer
There are many benefits to New Zealand craft beer, including:
- Quality: New Zealand craft beer is renowned for its high quality, with breweries using only the freshest ingredients and finest hops.
- Taste: Craft beers from New Zealand are incredibly flavorful and unique, with a range of styles and flavors to suit the taste of any beer drinker.
Where to Find New Zealand Craft Beer
New Zealand craft beer is available in most major supermarkets and bottle shops. You can also find it in many bars and restaurants around the country. If you’re looking for something more unique, there are also craft beer festivals held throughout New Zealand. These festivals are a great way to try out some rare and unusual beer styles.
Conclusion
New Zealand has a vibrant craft beer culture, with a wide range of unique and interesting styles. From pale ales to stouts, IPAs to lagers, and even fruit beers and sours, there is a beer for every occasion. With its quality ingredients and unique flavors, New Zealand craft beer is sure to delight even the most discerning of beer drinkers.