Monteith's Black Beer, Stout, New Zealand

Name - Monteith's Black Beer
Type - Stout
Vol. 5.2%, 330mL crown sealed bottle
Brewer - Monteith's
Origin - Greymouth (SI), New Zealand

Importer - N/A

Verdict - Horrid name. Sure, we call it 'black' after a few so you don't get punted out under responsible service legislation, but it's just such a dull label for a brand that normally just says what variety they've brewed. Call it a stout - embrace it. It's not a high selling variety, but just own it if you're going to brew it.

 

Lacks for bitterness, and avoids that burnt taste that some stouts can carry. It is biscuity, as dumb as that sounds, and finishes like a chocolate dessert with a bit of booze splashed in it. A stout for those that can tend to be discouraged by the variety.

Monteith's Doppelbock Winter Ale, New Zealand

Name - Monteith's Doppelbock Winter Ale
Type - Dark Ale
Vol. 6%, 330mL crown sealed bottle
Brewer - Monteith's
Origin - Greymouth (SI), New Zealand
Importer - N/A
Verdict - Two in, in separate sittings, and still unconvinced. It's robust and (for want of a better term) beefy. Not particularly round in the mouth, though. Perhaps I've been drinking too many Belgian Darks, which really have some roundness and length in the finish. A littlle disappointing from Monteith's. Winter ale? Maybe an Autumn Ale. Needs a higher alcohol content to drag the flavour along, but that's just not in the brewing culture down here, outside of a few micros.

Monteith's Golden Lager, New Zealand

Name - Golden Lager
Type - Lager
Vol. 5%, 330mL crown sealed bottle
Brewer - Monteith's

Origin - Greymouth (SI), New Zealand

Importer - N/A

Verdict - Light and refreshing, more malty than hoppy. These fancy pants lagers give me a bit of cause to think we can do reasonable lager down here if we actually try.

Monteith's Summer Ale, New Zealand

Name - Summer Ale
Type - Light Ale
Vol. 5%, 330mL crown sealed bottle

Brewer - Monteith's

Origin - Greymouth (SI), New Zealand

Importer - N/A

Verdict - Light, crisp ale. Spicy, honey flavour. Fantastically easy drinking ale.