Beer review: Mata Tumeke! NZ IPA

UNIQUE: Mata Tumeke! NZ IPA - not your normal IPA. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

I like what Mata do with their unique take on traditional beers and their Tumeke! NZ IPA is no exception.

This is not to say they break any rules, they tend to be quite understated and don't go in for the huge hops hit many brewers seem to enjoy.

This can occasionally see their beers rate a little lower on the flavour scale but is also why I quite enjoy them. They are not too over the top.

This 6.5 per cent IPA (India pale ale) pours a dark amber, bordering on a brown ale, with a light head and has a mild hoppy nose full of tropical fruit.

Its malty base is quite strong but does not overpower the Kiwi hops (Nelson Sauvin is the prominent hop, as are Cascade and Motueka), which are used in the brew.

It's not textbook stuff, which is a nice change from the many formulaic IPAs around at the moment, so this is not at all a bad thing.

Tumeke! is a bit heavier on the malt than many IPAs I've tried which leaves you with quite a smooth finish - it actually tastes what it looks like.

It's a well balanced IPA with neither the hops or the malt taking centre stage. The only traditional thing here is its typical IPA bitterness.