Hawkes Bay Independent Brewerys

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Permalink Reply by vdog on April 29, 2009 at 9:37pm

Not knowing what you like, I'd say it's probably worth a visit, but don't go in with big expectations. I've tried most (all?) of their beers and they're fine, but I wouldn't say they're great. Not a patch on Emersons, Tuatara, Epic etc.

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Permalink Reply by jt on April 29, 2009 at 10:56pm

Don't they do the mates range and are in partnership with Plumpton Park in the filter room in Awatoto (?)
I think the mates range is pretty average NZ Draughty / lager stuff but they also do some better beers and some ciders too - been a while since I've tasted though - as vdog says, probably not your Emersons or Tuatara though
Some of the HB crew could give you a better idea - Richee, Fairlane or Mr O ?

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Permalink Reply by JoKing on April 29, 2009 at 11:17pm

Are they the ones who do Black Duck?

Thats pretty bloody good.

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Permalink Reply by Reviled on April 30, 2009 at 8:04am

Yeah im quite fond of their Black Duck, its tasty! Tried their Force lager as well which was pretty boring, but refreshing and well brewed.. I think they do a Peri as well?

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Permalink Reply by vdog on April 30, 2009 at 8:25am

I'd say Black Duck is the best of their range, but still not something I have been able to get really excited about. Tried the Perry a little while ago and it was okay but I haven't tasted perry other than that so no idea how it stacks up against others.

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Permalink Reply by MrC on April 30, 2009 at 11:26am

I went to the Filter Room about a year ago and had a taste of 7 different beers and a perry. I thought the standard beers that they have are pretty boring apart from black Duck which was OK. At the time they had a seasonal English bitter which was only available in the tasting room and it was really nice. I'd say if your close by then it's worth a visit but don't expect to be tasting outstanding craft beers. It's certainly better than I pint of Tui or Speights at the local.

The whole tasting experience was fun with nice tasting room/shop/bar. It's quite a good little setup. The beers were a little dissapointing like mainstream NZ beers which is expected I guess seeing as that's who there competing with. I chatted with the guy behind the bar and he reckoned that they were after the "big boy" market (mainly with Mates) and that they were not a craft brewery. They seem to be targeting the Cosie clubs, RSAs, etc.

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Permalink Reply by JoKing on April 30, 2009 at 11:37am

Wasn't some of the Limburg beer brewed there early on?

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Permalink Reply by Darrel Tong on April 30, 2009 at 4:38pm

No none of the Limburg beers were brewed by them.
If you have some time pop out to Roosters Brewhouse in Hastings won`t disappoint.

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Permalink Reply by Greig McGill on April 30, 2009 at 4:59pm

I'd second that. Roosters is fun and funky!

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Permalink Reply by Mike Neilson on April 30, 2009 at 5:11pm

Idd love to get there but I have a funny feeling we aint going to make it!! Im going to try my hardest!!! Billy Gibbons is in town for it, I wounder If he'll like the Roosters Brewhouse!!

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