Taieri George
The Emerson Brewing Company

Taieri GeorgeTaieri George
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From:
The Emerson Brewing Company
 
New Zealand
Style:
Herb and Spice Beer
ABV:
6.8%
Score:
84
Avg:
3.62 | pDev: 12.15%
Reviews:
13
Ratings:
16
Status:
Active
Rated:
May 11, 2013
Added:
Oct 16, 2003
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  0
This exquisite spiced ale, released annually and brewed with the addition of three spices and organic clover honey from Central Otago is bottle-conditioned prior to release on March 6th every year. Cinnamon and nutmeg notes are evident in the aroma and on the palate with the combination of spices evoking flavours reminiscent of hot-cross buns.
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Rated: 3.5 by TheBadger0289 from New Zealand (Aotearoa)

May 11, 2013
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Reviewed by WestCoastLibations from China

4.44/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Sometimes I am amazed at how the universe plays with things such as time and space, only to return them to us, lined up in an order that no amount of planning could have ever conceived. Such is the case with this particular beer, and how I have come to write this review. Picked up exactly 4 weeks ago today, on Waitangi Day 2013, at Pomeroy's Olde Brewerey Inn in New Zealand, I packed this 2012 edition away, only to return to Korea, here on March 6th, the beer's namesake, to open it up. Sometimes, that's just how it works out!

Poured from a bottle into an over-sized mug, it looked darker than it really was, as the brown bottle goes to shade the colors, which when poured into clear glass, is highlighted by natural light, exposing the overall hue a bit. Regardless of tone though, it is well known, based on sight alone, that whether in bottle or cup, this is a serious beer!

The smell goes to compliment the pour, and in some circumstances, outshines it. The bottle claims that it is a "Spicy Ale" and even before one tastes it, this comes across as fact. Notes of that train I took across the Southern Island, coupled with scents of the Southern Hemisphere all go to give this beer a delicious smell, if there ever was sucha thing.

With such lofty expectations set forth by both the appearance and smell, I was hesitant as to what would be delivered once transferred to my mouth, but, as with most things from New Zealand, I was not let down.

The spices continue on through both the taste and mouthfeel, yet muddled - in a good way - by the settling within the glass. The ABV is a strong 6.8%, not 5.8% as mentioned above, but the proper authorities have been notified of this miscalculation. Livening up even the most unused of taste buds, and warming the Soul on its way down, this beer is far from smooth, but smooth is not what I was looking for, so it's aiiight. As an ode to a founding member of the Taieri Gorge Railway, and the founder of Emerson's brewery, George Emerson, this beer holds his life in high respect, and in turn, gives us all a reason to celebrate.

While I will attempt to replicate this date next year, I am grateful for the strange happenstances which brought me and this beer together now, and am honored to submit this here review...
Mar 06, 2013
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Reviewed by laituegonflable from Australia

3.9/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Pours a dark brown colour. Head is dense, beige, nicely foamy, with some sticky lace left behind. Looks good.

Slightly sour smell, roasty and brown. Hint of star anise, pepper, lemon peel and chocolate. Yeah, fair amount of cocoa to it really. Sweet, spicy, somewhat heavy; quite nice.

Taste is fairly roasty, with lots of cocoa on there. Pecans as well, raisins and a touch of fig. Dry spice, with fennel, coffee and caramel coming through late. Finishes quite dry, though. Pleasant, and reasonably mild dark drop overall, with a nice spice edge.

Quite sizzly on the front. Decent texture but maybe lacking a bit in the body.

Nice brew. Drinkable enough in spite of its fairly rich flavours. Kind of Belgian edge, but mild enough to be quaffed.
Feb 11, 2013
 
Rated: 2.5 by pin from Australia

Sep 08, 2012
 
Rated: 3.25 by bassman3660 from Singapore

Jul 16, 2012
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Reviewed by danieelol from Australia

4/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2011 Vintage. Thanks to Lukie @ IBS.

Pours ruby red with a real nice head.

Nose is loads of cloves which recedes to fruit and in particular spicy oranges. Really creates the impression of a creamy fruit cake. There is a nice balance between the malt, yeast, and spices. Burnt currants and dark fruit cake, lots of orange peel. Allspice, with perhaps a bias towards cinnamon.

Base beer seems brown-ale esque, with apple and maple prominent.

Taste has a lot of allspice and orange. Again, really reminiscent of a fruit cake.

Mouthfeel is pretty thick despite being dry and sour. Bit of bitter spice on the back palate, and a tiny bit of roast.

Overall a resounding success as a spiced beer. The components are in excellent balance.
Nov 20, 2011
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Reviewed by CrazyDavros from Australia

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Pours dark brown with a large, growing creamy head.
Nose shows raisins, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Pretty much hot cross buns spot on. Underneath is some rich sweet malt. Spices are a little overbearing.
Similar rich sweet flavours, with more raisins and spices, but some chocolate and booze also shows through.
Carbonation is somewhat high, drying out the finish.
May 04, 2011
Photo of dgilks
Reviewed by dgilks from Australia

3.55/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Interesting, herbal, spicy caraway aroma with some smooth malty notes. Really quite savory and curiously reminiscent of pastrami.

Nice, deep brown colour with red highlights. A small, light tan head is short lasted but creamy.

Spicy and herbal with notes of pepper, caraway, anise and nutmeg. Really interesting and well rounded though I don't find the spicing particularly attractive myself.

Medium-full body with moderately-low carbonation. Good.

Another interesting beer from Emerson's. There are some nice ideas here but I don't think that the spices works all that well together for me.
Aug 28, 2010
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Reviewed by lamarr04 from Pennsylvania

3.82/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
500ml bottle poured into a snifter

A: Pours almost pitch black with a tan one to one and a half inch creamy looking head.

S: Smell is lots of autumn spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves. Also some vanilla-like sweetness and citrus.

T: Tastes of same spices which accent the predominantly malty sweet flavor profile. Noticeable bitterness at the back of the tongue. Lemon flavor as-well, particularly towards the end of the glass.

M: Mouthfeel is very smooth. Medium body with very light carbonation.

D: Spiced ales aren't usually my thing, so I couldn't drink a lot in one sitting, but this one works for me.
Jun 06, 2009
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Reviewed by vancurly from Australia

3.47/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to Glenn for bringing this back from Australia's south-eastern provinces....

a) Chestnut brown/ beige head. Nice colour, but head fades quick....

s) Strong ginger ale, throughout. Some clove hints.

f) Spicy fruit rolls.... ginger ale/powder again, slight lemon/lime zest. Subtle mushroom note.

m) Fairly medium, slight tartness.

d) Easy to drink. Not as heavy as other spicy dark ales. Would like a little more malt interest to complement the spices.
May 22, 2009
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Reviewed by belgbeerdrinker from Colorado

3.97/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
a: dark brown with ruby highlights around edges, small head disappears to a ring, some bubbles showing through head
s: light cinnamon, spicy, toffee aromas, sweet malts as it warms
t: sweet malts, spicy cinnamon, slight alchohol on the end
m: medium to full body, plenty of carbonation from middle to end
d: a very smooth spiced ale, great balance make it worth a few more tries. another quality one from emerson's
Sep 12, 2007
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Reviewed by brendan13 from Australia

3.82/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a very dark brown colour with a 3cm beige head.
Spiced beer is for sure. Very strong fruitcake aromas thanks to obvious ginger, cinnamon & nutmeg spices.
The spices continued well into the taste with some sweet malty notes in the background to balance things out.
Medium mouthfeel and quite carbonated.
A tasty beer thats very welcome as an occasional treat. The full on spicey flavours limits its drinkability but it's one worth seeking out for something different.
May 28, 2007
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Reviewed by VitBAficionado from New Zealand (Aotearoa)

3.72/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
A: Pours a slighty hazy deep brown with a small stubborn creamy khaki head. Little bit of carbonation just visible through the haze.
S: Spiced beer alright... cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove and probablly some others to a more refined nose.
T: Sweet malt throughout with various spices as an accompaniment rather than the main attraction. Nutmeg and cinnamon predominately at first with clove coming out towards the end. Yeasty finish.
M: Nice full bodied feel but a little syrupy (especially when warmer).
D: Kind of like a liquid version of a holiday fruit cake as some others have alluded to. Not a fan of spiced beers at all typically but the subtleness of the spices in this one keeps it from becoming to overpowering. I'd try this one with a ham or turkey if I still ate meat... maybe kumara or pumpkin pie?
Mar 18, 2007
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Reviewed by alexgash from Connecticut

3.43/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Slight haze, amber-brown garnet. Light, creamy off-white/tan head. Sweetbread. Quite rich. Fruitcake with spices of anise, big ginger, and maybe nutmeg. Liquid fruitcake with plenty of ginger, coriander, and cloves. Interesting, and very malty sweet. Any balance comes from spices and a vague yeasty bitterness. Hops are hiding out maybe? Almost cloying in the finish. Not bad. Creamy, full-bodied and syrupy. Not bad, but a bit sweet and spicy for extended drinking.
Mar 03, 2006
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Reviewed by rastaman from England

3/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Not too bad, but not a style i particularly like. heaps of nutmeg and cinamon, lovely soft mouthfeel though. Don't come across these types of spiced beers a hell of a lot, so its always interesting to try em, even though i wasn't really a fan of this, i found it had some interesting flavours and definitely was something different.
Sep 02, 2004
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Reviewed by diablo14 from Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
im not big on spiced beers, but im a big fan of emersons beers. ive bought a couple of mixed cases of this and always include one of these, seeing as how they are unlikely to brew any more. why do i get it? as far as spiced beers go, this is as good as it gets.

named after one of the pioneers of new zealand railways, taieri george is a great looking beer with a very unique taste and aroma. reminicsent of jacobite ale from scotland, it is a dark brown color, with a gentle white head. the spice notes are very bold. there are traces of cinnamon, cloves, anise and a hint of honey in there, and the nose is an accurate reflection of the taste. very very spicy, almost like spiced mead. has a syrupy texture which is fantastic as you drink it, and as it warms up the spicy characters really start jumping out at you. its got a nice balance of hops which do not overpower. this is a positive as with a beer of this style, if it finished too dry it would unbalance the beer far too much.

as i said earlier, im not a big fan of spiced ales, but this is the sort of beer i can have every once in a while to appreciate something different. its well balanced, and if youre after a new experience or looking to broaden your beer drinking horizons, this is certainly a beer that can deliver. at the end of the day, youve got to love a brewery thats prepared to got out and stand out a bit. this beer certainly does.
Oct 16, 2003
Taieri George from The Emerson Brewing Company
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 16 ratings