Bush Baby
The Mussel Inn

Pours an amber colour, slightly cloudy with off-white foamy head. Not bad-looking.

Smells sweet and spicy. Rye grain upfront before some sweet cinnamon with a touch of coriander, nutmeg and a decent grapefruit tanginess. Quite nice.

Taste starts out quite malty sweet, but midway it gets rolling in a big way. Clove notes come up with a touch of lemongrass, and then just all weird, cooky spice notes that I just don't recognise. Don't know if I can pick it as distinctly NZ spice, but it's a unique experience and very nice indeed.

Decent body with just a touch of carbonation tingle. Nice.

Very nice, well-balanced flavour bomb without the alcohol. Lots of stuff going on here, and lots to enjoy.

A "New Zealand bush beer" brewed for GABS 2013 in Melbourne, which is where I tried it. That was some months ago: just entering my reviews now.

Pours a solidly weighted, hazy amber brown. Slightly yellowish head forms a solid, foamy crest across the top that leaves a little lace. Looks pretty good.

Nose is spicy and earthy with bush characters in abundance, leaving an organic, rich loamy character mingled with wood, herbs, citrus peel and manuka smoke. Lovely stuff.

Beautiful palate as well. Spicy entry with a rounded richness and a smoke character which gives it a surprising brightness. The sweetness comes through the centre, smoothing it while spicy characters of cinnamon and manuka honey come through. Towards the back there's a suggestion of rosewater, giving a Turkish delight hint that stays while the malt drops out, leaving it dry and light, bright and balanced. It's gorgeous stuff.

Feel is very smooth, but rises and falls with the flavours, meaning it ends up with a pleasant cleanness on the back.

Overall: I really like this. It's clean and bright, but also extremely interesting. An absolute cracker from these guys who I'm always pleased to see over this side of the ditch.