The Wire
OVERALL CHAMPION NZ BREWING COMPANY & CHAMPION BEER!
Overall Champion New Zealand Brewing Company for 2023! Coupled with 2023 Champion NZ Beer for Wild Feijoa, in its 10th vintage!
We're beyond excited! As Soren said at the NZ Beer Awards ceremony, it's a team effort, and we've got some of the best, despite the fact that it's impossible to get everyone in a photo at short notice (a special nod to our Sales and Barrelworks teams here). To be recognized as the Overall Champion is a testament to the passion, dedication, and innovation that our team puts into each and every brew.
The Overall Champion Brewery title showcases the consistent excellence of 8 Wired's brews, through securing two golds for our latest Wild Feijoa ‘22 vintage (barrel aged sour pale ale) and Oude Imperial (spontaneously fermented sour ale), two silver medals for Baltic Smoke (smoked baltic porter) and iStout (imperial stout), and a bronze for Brave Old World - Scotch Ale.
The Overall Champion Brewery title showcases the consistent excellence of 8 Wired's brews, through securing two golds for our latest Wild Feijoa ‘22 vintage (barrel aged sour pale ale) and Oude Imperial (spontaneously fermented sour ale), two silver medals for Baltic Smoke (smoked baltic porter) and iStout (imperial stout), and a bronze for Brave Old World - Scotch Ale.
This marks the second time 8 Wired has earned the Champion Brewery title, the first being in 2011 when we were based in Blenheim, and the landscape of the industry has changed greatly in that time, so we really are humbled to be able to bring these trophies back to our Warkworth brewery as another chapter to the 8 Wired story.
Congrats to all of the other breweries, we love this industry and the sense of camaraderie it brings.
See the full catalogue of results
See the full catalogue of results
EXPERIMENTAL HOP WITH BRACT PROJECT
We are proud to be part of the Bract Brewing Project, testing out experimental varieties grown by NZ Hops.
First hop off the rank is NZH-101. NZ Hops Ltd
Pale Ale: the latest harvested NZ hop
After sell-outs for our last two Bract Project beers, we bring you NZH-105.
NZH-105 gives our growers an interesting option as the latest harvested hop. It won't be a big yielding variety for farmers but it fills a spot that nothing else is in, so it can extend harvest windows while still producing a sort after variety. It has a very unique character, I would almost say like a cross between Nelson Sauvin and Riwaka in the initial rub and smell tests. I have tasted a couple of beers with it and it has a ridiculously crisp up front taste.
- Brent McGlashen, Grower
We decided to trial NZH-105 in a single hopped American style Pale Ale. We kept the recipe simple to allow the hops to shine but used a slightly more expressive yeast than usual, to allow for more flavour play between the hops and esters. From rubbing the hops, the initial impression was big aromas of orange and passionfruit with a savoury dank note to follow. The bitterness feels soft, clean and crisp and the smell of the fermenting beer is fruity and dank. Very good first impressions and we look forward to using it more.
- Søren Eriksen, Brewer
5.5% ALC./VOL.
First hop off the rank is NZH-101. NZ Hops Ltd
This new hop had a very apparent fresh hop "green" character before use in brewing. High in lemon/lime with hints of pine and minty freshness. Reminiscent of some US West Coast varieties such as those "catty" hops Simcoe and Citra. This rounded out to remind us of fresh Sauvignon Blanc character with good bittering potential for us beer producers! It has a lovely fresh hop character just like fresh hop season. Also in the mix with our Pilsner was Novalager from Lallemand Brewing. This trial hybrid lager strain is well-suited to hoppier, stronger lagers and pale ales where faster turnaround times might be required. However, we didn't skimp on the maturation time!
Cheers, Russell Erskine, Brewer
5.0% ALC./VOL.
5.0% ALC./VOL.
NZH-102 is currently the highest oiled hop variety in the NZ Hop line up and those oils are very balanced. It has won several accolades already and I reckon that this hop will be a feature in many beers as a base hop. It can pull all sorts of flavours from other hops that haven't been achieved before.
- Brent McGlashen, Hop Grower
As with our previous release (NZH-101), the pellets displayed a very fresh character and nice putty-like consistency during the brew day, where we brewed a clean pale ale to allow the hops to shine as much as possible, while keeping it quenching and moreish!
- Russell Erskine, Brewer
5.5% ALC./VOL.
WILD FEIJOA - 10th ANNIVERSARY!
THE LATEST VINTAGE '22
Wild Feijoa is online now, and it's time to make a toast!
This is the latest release from our Barrelworks site in Matakana, and our favourite yearly release. We have been brewing this beer every year since 2013, when we were based in Blenheim.
A pale sour beer, Wild Feijoa is aged for up to 2 years in wine barrels and then another year on fresh, local and organic feijoas from Helen and Peter at Quinta Feijoas who have supplied the fruit for the last 7 years.
This is a big beer birthday, so to toast this special occasion, we also created a small batch of Feijoa Grappa you should get your hands on, cheers to 10 Wild years!
Online now -
Sour Ale: Single 500ml bottles, or 6 Pack
Grappa: 250ml bottle
From the archives - Søren takes us through the process of sourcing Feijoas from local organic orchard Quinta Feijoas and the barrel ageing process - of 2,3, or 4 years.
Wild Feijoa is online now, and it's time to make a toast!
This is the latest release from our Barrelworks site in Matakana, and our favourite yearly release. We have been brewing this beer every year since 2013, when we were based in Blenheim.
A pale sour beer, Wild Feijoa is aged for up to 2 years in wine barrels and then another year on fresh, local and organic feijoas from Helen and Peter at Quinta Feijoas who have supplied the fruit for the last 7 years.
This is a big beer birthday, so to toast this special occasion, we also created a small batch of Feijoa Grappa you should get your hands on, cheers to 10 Wild years!
Online now -
Sour Ale: Single 500ml bottles, or 6 Pack
Grappa: 250ml bottle
From the archives - Søren takes us through the process of sourcing Feijoas from local organic orchard Quinta Feijoas and the barrel ageing process - of 2,3, or 4 years.
Double Scoop Series
Our Double Scoop project is a series of deliciously complex pastry stouts brewed with layers of REAL ingredients to unfold in your glass like a baked liquid delicacy. Here's what we've produced thus far.
Boysenberry Chocolate - This Boysenberry Chocolate edition is layered with tonnes of sweet yet tart boysenberries whipped into the depths of a smooth, creamy chocolate pastry stout. It all melts together for a double helping of a silky stouty treat.
Baklava -Toasty hazelnut and almond are the main star of this dessert beer and are perfectly layered on a silky smooth milk stout base. Honey, orange and a mix of fragrant spices provide the sweetness and citrus that make Baklava so decadent.
Chocolate, Cherry Frangipane -This Chocolate, Cherry, and Frangipane edition is layered with tones of velvety chocolate, sweet yet tart cherry, classic Frangipane almond and a touch of vanilla. It all melts together for a double helping of a silky stouty treat. Hold the sprinkles.
Salted Caramel Cinnamon Swirl - Layered with tonnes of velvety chocolate, sticky salted caramel, warming cinnamon, and a touch of vanilla - need we say more?
If we've stock of the latest Double Scoop beer you'll find it in our Limited/Seasonal beers
BALTIC SMOKE MAKES NEW WORLD TOP 30
BALTIC SMOKE -
"...a showcase for the art of balancing flavours. The aroma of smoke is initially subdued, with sweet black coffee taking centre stage. Sweet maple-syrup malt flavour is the first cab off the rank flavour-wise with the tangy smoke sliding in sideways, before building towards a gentle, just-bitter, warm finish aided by some alcohol heat. It's a beer that takes you on a journey of your palate's sensory capabilities."
WILD FEIJOA (Highly Commended) -
"A legendary beer in New Zealand. Every year, hundreds of kilos of feijoas are added to a barrel-aged beer that's then rested for another year before being released as a vintage beer. Punchy feijoa, tart, invigorating and everyone should try it once."CUCUMBER HIPPY (Highly Commended) "This cucumber-infused sour from Warkworth-based 8 Wired is something of a cult favourite among dedicated beer fans. It's refreshing and not too sour. The judges said: "Lovely fresh cucumber aroma. Fresh cucumber on the palate, great balance and finish."
FRESH HOP PILSNER
This year we teamed up with our friends at Clayton Hops again to produce a unique Farm Fresh Pilsner.
Juicy 100% Riwaka hop cones were harvested from Blue Rock Hop Farm, which is named after the 'blue' rock cliff formation that overlooks the farm, gently dried at the farm, air freighted to the brewery the next day and put straight into a batch of New Zealand Pilsner. A maximum dose of cones in our hop back, once on the hot and again on the cold side ensures tasty and refreshing juiciness for all to enjoy.
THE BRIEF: SPECIAL AND RARE
A beer challenge like no other, and one we whole-heartedly wanted to support with a brew that saw us sourcing unique, particularly aromatic ingredients for the first time.
One beautiful barrel aged beer. A barrel aged flower sour beer in fact.
Not for the general public (sorry), we'll be releasing 'Fleur-de-lis' for the Rare Beer Challenge, in support of Rare Disorders NZ, this Friday night, at Fortune Favours.
For Rare Disorders NZ.
One beautiful barrel aged beer. A barrel aged flower sour beer in fact.
Not for the general public (sorry), we'll be releasing 'Fleur-de-lis' for the Rare Beer Challenge, in support of Rare Disorders NZ, this Friday night, at Fortune Favours.
For Rare Disorders NZ.
HOTTEST BEERS
5x 8 Wired Beers make the Gabs Festival top 100!
From thousands of votes, for over 1,000 beers from 84 incredible breweries, these particular 8 Wired beers have once again made us proud!
These proven brews continue to be as popular as ever with craft beer drinkers; Hazy IPA Hop Salad, the legendary NZ IPA Hopwired, and Sour Pale Ale, Hippy Berliner. Of course the Stouts had to be right up there too, with iStout and iStout Affogato!
From thousands of votes, for over 1,000 beers from 84 incredible breweries, these particular 8 Wired beers have once again made us proud!
These proven brews continue to be as popular as ever with craft beer drinkers; Hazy IPA Hop Salad, the legendary NZ IPA Hopwired, and Sour Pale Ale, Hippy Berliner. Of course the Stouts had to be right up there too, with iStout and iStout Affogato!
8 WIRED x SUZUKI NZ
Jimny in the Wild!
Not often spotted in the wild Remutaka Ranges, the 8 Wired Ventura Jimny is more likely to be seen in the urban playground of Wellington being driven by sales team member, Nick.
Thanks to Suzuki NZ, we've got spot prizes of umbrellas, caps, and $50 MTA vouchers to help fill your tanks!
Thanks to Suzuki NZ, we've got spot prizes of umbrellas, caps, and $50 MTA vouchers to help fill your tanks!
A YEAR IN BOURBON BARRELS
8 Wired x Small Gods Brewing
This week brings a pretty special release of a barrel aged beer made with friends at Small Gods.
Desperate Glory is a sour brown ale inspired by Flanders Fields. The base beer is Three On A Match, a rich and complex Belgian Amber Ale with notes of dates, brown sugar and sweet spice. This spent a year resting in bourbon barrels to bring out rich oak and vanilla notes alongside a complex, funky tartness. We then carefully blended this with Chinese Keemun tea to add a light floral character with hints of tobacco and unsweetened cocoa.
6 YEARS IN THE MAKING
It's time.
What we have here is a passion project, many years in the making.
We wanted to put our own, beer-inspired mark on our whisky. So instead of making a wash from pale distillers malt, we started with what can best be described as a porter. Dark, chocolatey and malty, fermented with a Belgian saison yeast. After distilling this twice, we aged it in three different barrels:
First it spent a year in barrels that held our famed Imperial Stout, Bumaye.
Then it went into brand new, heavily charred American Oak barrels for two years.
Finally it spent three more years in Bourbon barrels that also held another Imperial Stout.
The finished result is a whisky that is rich and complex. Full of sweet, chocolatey notes from the barley and the stout barrels, layered with complex alcohols, esters and phenols from the fermentation and distilling. This is all rounded off by vanilla, coconut and caramel flavours from the oak.
Online now.
What we have here is a passion project, many years in the making.
We wanted to put our own, beer-inspired mark on our whisky. So instead of making a wash from pale distillers malt, we started with what can best be described as a porter. Dark, chocolatey and malty, fermented with a Belgian saison yeast. After distilling this twice, we aged it in three different barrels:
First it spent a year in barrels that held our famed Imperial Stout, Bumaye.
Then it went into brand new, heavily charred American Oak barrels for two years.
Finally it spent three more years in Bourbon barrels that also held another Imperial Stout.
The finished result is a whisky that is rich and complex. Full of sweet, chocolatey notes from the barley and the stout barrels, layered with complex alcohols, esters and phenols from the fermentation and distilling. This is all rounded off by vanilla, coconut and caramel flavours from the oak.
Online now.
OLD SCHOOL COOL
A trailblazer when first released in 2009, Hopwired was one of the world's first IPAs to be brewed exclusively with New Zealand hops.
Today it's as unique as ever, delivering an enticing punchbowl of tropical fruit, citrus and gooseberry flavours balanced by mouth-filling caramel malt sweetness.
BRAVE OLD WORLD
A series where we pause on our latest creations - new world IPAs, sours and pastry stouts - and take the time to celebrate the old world styles, at a time where beer was very regional. We're excited at our plans for where this series is going to take us!
Our latest, and fourth beer in the new Brave Old World series, is a Scotch Ale, inspired by the rich, malty brews that emerged from Scotland in the 1800's. This deep copper ale was brewed with a complex malt bill, including plenty of Crystal and Cara malts and fermented with a British ale yeast. This is a very malt-forward beer, with plenty of caramel sweetness, and notes of toffee and raisin.
6.5% ALC./VOL.
Online now! Single Cans, 6 Pack or 12 Pack (BULK BUY free shipping).
––––––––––––––––
Our latest, and fourth beer in the new Brave Old World series, is a Scotch Ale, inspired by the rich, malty brews that emerged from Scotland in the 1800's. This deep copper ale was brewed with a complex malt bill, including plenty of Crystal and Cara malts and fermented with a British ale yeast. This is a very malt-forward beer, with plenty of caramel sweetness, and notes of toffee and raisin.
6.5% ALC./VOL.
Online now! Single Cans, 6 Pack or 12 Pack (BULK BUY free shipping).
––––––––––––––––
The first Brave Old World beer is an English Imperial Stout inspired by the original style brewed in London. These extra-strength stouts were originally brewed for export, and the elevated alcohol content not only catered to export market tastes, but helped extend the shelf life of these well-travelled ales.
It's a thick, viscous brew with lots of chocolate and coffee flavours from the English malt, and subtle fruity esters from the English Ale Yeast compliment the slightly sweet finish and warming alcohol. Perfect for the colder weather and also great to cellar for a few more winters.
9.5% ALC./VOL
Brewed with English malts and hops, and fermented with an English Ale yeast, this amber coloured IPA is generously hopped with East Kent Goldings. Crystal Malts provide a sweet malty backbone that beautifully balances the pronounced bitterness.
6.0% ALC./VOL
The third beer in the series, takes us to Munich! An Oktoberfest Lager, inspired by the classic lager from Munich that takes its name from the famous festival.
This amber-gold lager is brewed with all German malts, hops and yeast and has been traditionally lagered. With a soft, bready body, and a delicate lashing of hops for a crisp finish, this is one super delicious, drinkable beer. Prost!
5.6% ALC./VOL
6.0% ALC./VOL
The third beer in the series, takes us to Munich! An Oktoberfest Lager, inspired by the classic lager from Munich that takes its name from the famous festival.
This amber-gold lager is brewed with all German malts, hops and yeast and has been traditionally lagered. With a soft, bready body, and a delicate lashing of hops for a crisp finish, this is one super delicious, drinkable beer. Prost!
5.6% ALC./VOL
TRANS TASMAN COLLAB
The Trans Tasman Collaborational is an initiative from Beer Jerk (NZ) and Carwyn Cellars (AUS) that has seen us team up with the legendary Australian brewery Rocky Ridge Brewing.
We brewed an historical Lichtenhainer - Smoked Sour Ale. After conversations between breweries we decided to use plums and manuka smoked malts to brew this delicious flavour bomb of a beer.
4.5% ALC./VOL
BECAUSE THIS DESERVES A TOAST!
We're feeling rather proud of the results from this year's New Zealand Beer Awards, and want to acknowledge the hard mahi from the 8 Wired brewery team!
Here are the beers that got us the wins!3 x Gold: Oude Imperiale, Mahu Lager & Hop Salad
5 x Silver: Wild Feijoa, A Fistful Of Raspberries, Brave Old World Imperial English Stout, iStout and Lo-Fi
4 x Bronze: Semiconductor, Ernest, Hippy Berliner and Mando a Mando
Huge congrats to all of the breweries celebrating their success - quality in the beer, but also the breweries themselves, whose work makes the NZ brewing industry what it is!
Mahu - Lager 4.5%
Hop Salad - Hazy IPA 6%
Brave Old World - English Imperial Stout 9.5%
iStout - Imperial Stout 10%
Lo-Fi - Low Alcohol Sour 2%
Ernest - Daiquiri Inspired Sour 5.2%
Hippy Berliner - Sour Hoppy Ale 4%
Oude Imperiale - Spontaneously Fermented Sour 8%
Wild Feijoa 2021 - Sour Pale Ale 6.3%
DARK & BOOZY BEERS OF THE SEASON
Featuring the beers of the season, when we reach for something darker, richer, and full of flavour and alcohol, warming one's cockles. Available as Singles online from the brewery, you can mix and match to your heart's content...
Let's start with something easy on the ABV
Let's start with something easy on the ABV
Maverick is our sessional stout, and a proven brew that is also available in our KEY RANGE
Get it now in 440ml cans (limited), to kick off your winter warmer collection. Treat yourself with a luscious Baklava
Get it now in 440ml cans (limited), to kick off your winter warmer collection. Treat yourself with a luscious Baklava
Next up at 7.5% is a tasty dessert beer from our Double Scoop series - Baklava, a deliciously complex pastry stout, brewed with layers of REAL ingredients to unfold in your glass like a baked liquid delicacy. Toasty hazelnut and almond are the main stars of this one, on a silky smooth milk stout base. You need to try it!
Try something new but old
Our latest release, and first in our new 'Brave Old World' series - English Imperial Stout inspired by historic styles. Take yourself back to that old English pub, complete with roaring fire.
Extra strength at 9.5% ALC./VOL.
The award-winning iStout is a must
Next up, the iStout a big one at a hefty 10%... with a recipe that has been perfected over the years, recently named in New World's Top 30 “Excellent beer,” the judges proclaimed, “like chocolate liqueur. Smooth, rich and creamy.”
And from Barrelworks to finish
Try something new but old
Our latest release, and first in our new 'Brave Old World' series - English Imperial Stout inspired by historic styles. Take yourself back to that old English pub, complete with roaring fire.
Extra strength at 9.5% ALC./VOL.
The award-winning iStout is a must
Next up, the iStout a big one at a hefty 10%... with a recipe that has been perfected over the years, recently named in New World's Top 30 “Excellent beer,” the judges proclaimed, “like chocolate liqueur. Smooth, rich and creamy.”
And from Barrelworks to finish
Aged in a single large oak foudre (vat) for 5 Years, Hell of the North is one to pull out on a stormy night. Transformed over time to create a unique beer, with a chocolatey-malt base mixed with sherry, leather, tobacco and a hint of smoke. Lactic acid bacteria add a distinct tartness, and Brettanomyces provide that classic wild funk.
11% ALC./VOL
11% ALC./VOL
Collabing with good friends - Søren gets to the US
Let's play a game of 'Where in the World is Søren?'
It's been a while, but it's finally time to see what the team is up to on the international beer scene.
Collaboration brews with good friends in some top locations to follow...
PART 1: Søren in San Diego, CA! Pizza Port Brewing Company
Søren and our International Man of Beer Brian Watts have both frequented the Pizza Port locations for the past 10+ years. What started as a brewpub in 1992 eventually spanned into 5 different locations in the San Diego area. The Ocean Beach location is the perfect spot to grab a true West Coast IPA after surfing or lounging on the beach.
"With Head Brewer Matt Palmer, we brewed a West Coast style IPA with Nelson Sauvin, Motueka (NZ Hops) and Amarillo (US hop). The name is not 100% locked in yet I think but I think it will be "Stay Grassy, San Diego" (get the movie reference there...)
Thanks Matt and the whole team at Pizza Port - super friendly and hospitable. It's a great brewery in all ways, and one to visit on your travels.
www.pizzaport.com
PART 2: Hanging and collabing with Magnanimous in Tampa, FL
Charlie Meers is the co-founder of Magnanimous Brewing. Charlie is a beer traveller and well known across the country, quite simply one of the best dudes in the beer community. We've been planning to do a collab with these guys for years, since meeting at an event in Athens in 2012 in fact.
And we've done just that, with brewers Charlie and Mike.
The beer will be a NZ pilsner with a blend of NZ hops from Revolution hops - ready to go on tap by 4th July, Lager Day Weekend.
www.magnanimousbrewing.com
PART 3: Collaborating with Good Friends - Halfway Crooks Beer (Atlanta, GA)
Joran Van Ginderachter, with business partner Shawn Bainbridge have made Halfway Crooks possibly the best small brewery in Atlanta and one of the best breweries in the country in less than 3 years. And that's where we hung out on this leg of the trip, and created a beer with Joran and Shawn, to be released in the coming months. 8 Wired collaborated with Joran back in 2014 with Three Taverns Brewing (where Joran was brewmaster) and Terrapin Beer Co on a special beer called 'Free Spirit'. Good friends. www.halfwaycrooks.beer
Also on our travels;
The Porter Beer Bar
Arguably one of the best beer bars in the country. We did a collab with these guys a few years ago when the owners came to NZ and blended some barrels with us to create the beer Aøtearøa.
www.theporterbeerbar.com
Event at Brick Store Pub; again, arguably is also one of the best beer bars in the country (!)
www.brickstorepub.com
It's been a while, but it's finally time to see what the team is up to on the international beer scene.
Collaboration brews with good friends in some top locations to follow...
PART 1: Søren in San Diego, CA! Pizza Port Brewing Company
Søren and our International Man of Beer Brian Watts have both frequented the Pizza Port locations for the past 10+ years. What started as a brewpub in 1992 eventually spanned into 5 different locations in the San Diego area. The Ocean Beach location is the perfect spot to grab a true West Coast IPA after surfing or lounging on the beach.
"With Head Brewer Matt Palmer, we brewed a West Coast style IPA with Nelson Sauvin, Motueka (NZ Hops) and Amarillo (US hop). The name is not 100% locked in yet I think but I think it will be "Stay Grassy, San Diego" (get the movie reference there...)
Thanks Matt and the whole team at Pizza Port - super friendly and hospitable. It's a great brewery in all ways, and one to visit on your travels.
www.pizzaport.com
PART 2: Hanging and collabing with Magnanimous in Tampa, FL
Charlie Meers is the co-founder of Magnanimous Brewing. Charlie is a beer traveller and well known across the country, quite simply one of the best dudes in the beer community. We've been planning to do a collab with these guys for years, since meeting at an event in Athens in 2012 in fact.
And we've done just that, with brewers Charlie and Mike.
The beer will be a NZ pilsner with a blend of NZ hops from Revolution hops - ready to go on tap by 4th July, Lager Day Weekend.
www.magnanimousbrewing.com
PART 3: Collaborating with Good Friends - Halfway Crooks Beer (Atlanta, GA)
Joran Van Ginderachter, with business partner Shawn Bainbridge have made Halfway Crooks possibly the best small brewery in Atlanta and one of the best breweries in the country in less than 3 years. And that's where we hung out on this leg of the trip, and created a beer with Joran and Shawn, to be released in the coming months. 8 Wired collaborated with Joran back in 2014 with Three Taverns Brewing (where Joran was brewmaster) and Terrapin Beer Co on a special beer called 'Free Spirit'. Good friends. www.halfwaycrooks.beer
Also on our travels;
The Porter Beer Bar
Arguably one of the best beer bars in the country. We did a collab with these guys a few years ago when the owners came to NZ and blended some barrels with us to create the beer Aøtearøa.
www.theporterbeerbar.com
Event at Brick Store Pub; again, arguably is also one of the best beer bars in the country (!)
www.brickstorepub.com
New World Beer & Cider Awards
The 8 Wired team is stoked to have two golds in the top 30 in the New World Beer and Cider Awards, and another two Highly Commended!
A panel of experienced, independent beer and cider judges with a range of expertise on different styles blind-tasted and evaluated literally thousands of samples (judges see only the beer or cider in the glass, never any bottles or brands).
The Top 30 and Top 100 lists make a great guide for tasting some of the country's best brews!
Our winning beers and the judge's comments;
iStout
8 Wired iStout is a legitimate legend in New Zealand brewing circles and brewer Soren Eriksen has perfected the recipe over the years. The i in iStout stands for imperial, which means big, and at 10% ABV it’s the biggest beer in the Top 30 but the alcohol is superbly integrated in the deep, smooth flavour. It shines like black opal in the glass and delivers layers of chocolate, dates, leather, licorice and sweet coffee. “Excellent beer,” the judges proclaimed, “like chocolate liqueur. Smooth, rich and creamy.” A beer for sharing or for spending a long evening with in front of the fire.
If you're lucky, you'll find iStout under our Key Range beers
A Fistful of Raspberries
8 Wired, based in Warkworth but with a barrel room and restaurant in nearby Matakana, have made a speciality of aging beer in wooden barrels. This is potentially the pinnacle of their work. Brewed in the traditional Belgian Framboise style, which means utilising wild yeasts plus bacteria in the air and in the wood of the barrels. The beer is pleasant blush-copper colour and the aroma of raspberries jumps out the glass. The fruit and doughy sweetness is complemented by a hint of vanillin from the barrel and it’s perfectly offset by the bright acidity and dry, just-tannic finish to create a complex but delicately balanced beer. Nothing short world-class.
See our Barrel Aged beers
A panel of experienced, independent beer and cider judges with a range of expertise on different styles blind-tasted and evaluated literally thousands of samples (judges see only the beer or cider in the glass, never any bottles or brands).
The Top 30 and Top 100 lists make a great guide for tasting some of the country's best brews!
Our winning beers and the judge's comments;
iStout
8 Wired iStout is a legitimate legend in New Zealand brewing circles and brewer Soren Eriksen has perfected the recipe over the years. The i in iStout stands for imperial, which means big, and at 10% ABV it’s the biggest beer in the Top 30 but the alcohol is superbly integrated in the deep, smooth flavour. It shines like black opal in the glass and delivers layers of chocolate, dates, leather, licorice and sweet coffee. “Excellent beer,” the judges proclaimed, “like chocolate liqueur. Smooth, rich and creamy.” A beer for sharing or for spending a long evening with in front of the fire.
If you're lucky, you'll find iStout under our Key Range beers
A Fistful of Raspberries
8 Wired, based in Warkworth but with a barrel room and restaurant in nearby Matakana, have made a speciality of aging beer in wooden barrels. This is potentially the pinnacle of their work. Brewed in the traditional Belgian Framboise style, which means utilising wild yeasts plus bacteria in the air and in the wood of the barrels. The beer is pleasant blush-copper colour and the aroma of raspberries jumps out the glass. The fruit and doughy sweetness is complemented by a hint of vanillin from the barrel and it’s perfectly offset by the bright acidity and dry, just-tannic finish to create a complex but delicately balanced beer. Nothing short world-class.
See our Barrel Aged beers
Showing
all
18 results