APPARENTLY everyone loves a list and, since it's the end of the year, I'll oblige by naming, in no particular order, my three favourite beers of the year.
These brews may not have been the best I've tasted, but were definitely the most memorable. I hope you can track some of them down over the festive season - salut.
Mata Volcano Red IPA - 7 per cent.
From little ole Kawerau comes a cracking brew from the country's top female brewer Tammy Viitakangas of Aotearoa Breweries. Her Mata Volcano Red IPA's bitter-sweet flavours are perfectly balanced, producing a very smooth and drinkable seasonal brew. www.mata.net.nz.
Croucher Brewing Anzus IPA - 7 per cent.
Not because it's from Rotorua's own Croucher Brewing Company, but because when I first tried their Anzus IPA I knew I had found a keeper. The subtle blend of simcoe, riwaka, citra and ammarillo hops packs an initial punch, but the finish is sweet and fruity. www.croucherbrewing.co.nz.
Panhead Quickchange XPA - 4.6 per cent.
Wellington-based Panhead Custom Ales have really cracked it with their Quickchange XPA, a 4.6 per cent pale ale. Brewer Mike Neilson, formerly of Tuatara Brewery, went out on his own just last year and has nailed the combination of hops and malt to produce a very drinkable pale ale. I found the stripped-down malt reduced its overall complexity, but allowed its tasty citrus and fruity hops to shine. Find them on Facebook.