Ian Thorne grows Southern Cross hops in Ngamoti, Nelson Bays.
Southern Cross is a special variety because it cleverly provides both aroma and bitterness to beer, something that Monteith's new-release Single Source has going for it.
Ian's family has been growing hops on his property since 1928 and he even sleeps next
to the hops while they're drying during harvest, waking every hour to check for optimal moisture.
Now that's dedication.
Whatever he does, it's working, because Monteith's Single Source is a great drop.
Fresh, bitter and biting, this is a full-bodied beer with notes of charred caramel and a solid, warming length of flavour.
I'll definitely be making sure there's a dozen or so in the fridge near the fish bay for when the boys are filleting the gurnard and boiling the crays.
I may also make sure I have one in the fridge for when I finish mowing the lawns - I mean, who's really doing work and who's just having fun?
