Hallertau Brewbar

 

Tasting room/bar is in the same room as the brewery kettles. The place smells of malt! Brewer came to our table and discussed his new beers. Staff was friendly and attentive. Vibe was casual and it was cool to drink beer and watch the Brewers work just steps away. Did not have anything to eat. They sell 500ml bottles for take away.

 

 

 

Hallertau Brewpub is a 35 minute drive from Auckland in nearby Riverhead. The restaurant and bar is quite large and decked out in a sort of modern way with lots of glass and wood. Service is good and the food isn't bad either. The main problem out here is the price.

The beer, however, is what is important and they certainly excel in this department. Luxe is a nicely crafted Kolsch with a good malt profile and just a touch of hops. The Statesman is a nice APA with a fresh, fruity hop profile and enough malt to balance. Copper Tart is a decent enough red ale and the Deception Schwartz is a solid and deftly balanced beer.

For those wanting a beer with more punch, Hallertau makes Humulus Lupulus Maximus, their 6.4% American India Pale Ale which takes to the glass annually against Epic Armageddon IPA for the title of New Zealand's best IPA. Armageddon has won all of the bouts to date but I have a feeling that this year could be close as Maximus is a big, full flavoured beer with a nice dry finish just like the best West Coast US examples. Also in bottles are Porter Noir, a strong porter aged in Pinot Noir barrels, and Stuntsman, a 9% Imperial IPA which has been aged with Brettanomyces.