Fullers & Friends Matariki | Fuller Smith & Turner PLC
Brewed by:
Fuller Smith & Turner PLC
England, United Kingdom
fullers.co.uk
Style: Belgian Saison
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.80%
Availability: Limited (brewed once)
Notes / Commercial Description:
Brewed in collaboration with Marble Brewery.
Belgium meets New Zealand in this zesty, spicy ale. Using wheat, oats, rye and spelt alongside a quartet of Kiwi hops, we've created a beer that's both complex and very, very drinkable.
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
Reviews: 8
| Ratings: 13
3.73/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
L- Pale gold, very slight haze, 5mm white head.
S- I get some pear scent.
T- It's on the dryer side of the spectrum but isn't out to beat you over the head about it. It has a clear hoppy edge, but it has a broad character and is balanced by the richness of the 5.8%.
F- Lots of CO2 in the mouth, this is a rare brew where I might have guessed the ABV% is higher than it is, I'd have guessed perhaps 7-7.2%
O- Nice, powerful but has has crafted balance to it, which is what makes it good. Nothing stands out shouting at you. It has a pretty full-on feel to it though, doubt I could go more than two of these before moving to something a bit more mainstream.
Bought as part of a 6-pack box of 'Fullers & Friends' beers that are a 2-brewery tie-ups. This one is Fullers & Manchester Marble Brewery. Sold exclusively by Waitrose supermarket, whose initiative these tie-ups is BB: 31/12/19, my, over 2 years.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
L- Pale gold, very slight haze, 5mm white head.
S- I get some pear scent.
T- It's on the dryer side of the spectrum but isn't out to beat you over the head about it. It has a clear hoppy edge, but it has a broad character and is balanced by the richness of the 5.8%.
F- Lots of CO2 in the mouth, this is a rare brew where I might have guessed the ABV% is higher than it is, I'd have guessed perhaps 7-7.2%
O- Nice, powerful but has has crafted balance to it, which is what makes it good. Nothing stands out shouting at you. It has a pretty full-on feel to it though, doubt I could go more than two of these before moving to something a bit more mainstream.
Bought as part of a 6-pack box of 'Fullers & Friends' beers that are a 2-brewery tie-ups. This one is Fullers & Manchester Marble Brewery. Sold exclusively by Waitrose supermarket, whose initiative these tie-ups is BB: 31/12/19, my, over 2 years.
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3.67/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
A 330ml bottle with a BB of Dec 2019. Purchased as a box set from Waitrose. This one is a collaboration between Fuller's and Marble, resulting in a saison brewed with NZ hop varieties. The ingredients include oats, rye and spelt.
A: Poured into a tulip. A bright, hazy golden hue with plentiful suspended sediment and light carbonation. Produces a large head of creamy white foam that lasts for a moment or so before collapsing and dissipating.
S: Aroma of perfumed fruity hops with hints of peach, stone fruit, tropical fruit, citrus zest, white grape, melon, grass/hay, saison yeast esters, earthiness and subtle pale malt. Untraditional but very nice.
T: Tastes of fruity aromatic hops with notes of peach, stone fruit, tropical fruit, citrus, white grape, melon, grass/hay, yeast esters, earthiness, pale malt and faint stewed hops. Pretty dry, followed by a moderate hoppy bitterness upon swallowing.
M: Mouthfeel is smooth, tingly and dry, with light carbonation and average body. Mildly astringent; could be thicker for the strength. Feels like it ought to be drier. Aftertaste of fruity aromatic hops, stone fruit, tropical fruit, mild citrus, yeast esters, earthiness and mild bitterness.
O: Not bad at all. Subpar looks - the carbonation and head retention need work. Aroma and flavour are an attention-grabbing combination of fruity NZ hops underpinned by saison yeast and pale malt. Average mouthfeel; lacks texture and could be more thoroughly attenuated. All that said, it goes down easily enough. One for hop lovers - worth sampling.
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look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
A 330ml bottle with a BB of Dec 2019. Purchased as a box set from Waitrose. This one is a collaboration between Fuller's and Marble, resulting in a saison brewed with NZ hop varieties. The ingredients include oats, rye and spelt.
A: Poured into a tulip. A bright, hazy golden hue with plentiful suspended sediment and light carbonation. Produces a large head of creamy white foam that lasts for a moment or so before collapsing and dissipating.
S: Aroma of perfumed fruity hops with hints of peach, stone fruit, tropical fruit, citrus zest, white grape, melon, grass/hay, saison yeast esters, earthiness and subtle pale malt. Untraditional but very nice.
T: Tastes of fruity aromatic hops with notes of peach, stone fruit, tropical fruit, citrus, white grape, melon, grass/hay, yeast esters, earthiness, pale malt and faint stewed hops. Pretty dry, followed by a moderate hoppy bitterness upon swallowing.
M: Mouthfeel is smooth, tingly and dry, with light carbonation and average body. Mildly astringent; could be thicker for the strength. Feels like it ought to be drier. Aftertaste of fruity aromatic hops, stone fruit, tropical fruit, mild citrus, yeast esters, earthiness and mild bitterness.
O: Not bad at all. Subpar looks - the carbonation and head retention need work. Aroma and flavour are an attention-grabbing combination of fruity NZ hops underpinned by saison yeast and pale malt. Average mouthfeel; lacks texture and could be more thoroughly attenuated. All that said, it goes down easily enough. One for hop lovers - worth sampling.
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3.69/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bottled
Pours a slightly hazy golden body with minimal white head
some citrus and semolina aroma with that slight aspirin note
tangy slightly sour with gooseberry
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bottled
Pours a slightly hazy golden body with minimal white head
some citrus and semolina aroma with that slight aspirin note
tangy slightly sour with gooseberry
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3.75/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear pale gold with medium head that doesn't leave lace. Nose some light spicy esters. I get the white wine others have mentioned along with some light crushed pepper. Overall, a little too soft. Taste is about the same. Clean and crisp, with some of those same wine and pepper notes along with citrus. Overall, a decent beer, but nothing I'd seek out.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear pale gold with medium head that doesn't leave lace. Nose some light spicy esters. I get the white wine others have mentioned along with some light crushed pepper. Overall, a little too soft. Taste is about the same. Clean and crisp, with some of those same wine and pepper notes along with citrus. Overall, a decent beer, but nothing I'd seek out.
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3.63/5 rDev -8.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Bottle. Straw. Slight haze. Thin frothy head. Plenty of gently rising bubbles.
New world hops and grain on the nose. A little spice is apparent. Sauvignon blanc. Distant sweetness.
Earthy bitterness upon tasting. The wheat persists. A surprising difference to the aroma. Ever so slightly sour. Citrus present.
Moderate feel. Light carbonation.
Not quite to my liking.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Bottle. Straw. Slight haze. Thin frothy head. Plenty of gently rising bubbles.
New world hops and grain on the nose. A little spice is apparent. Sauvignon blanc. Distant sweetness.
Earthy bitterness upon tasting. The wheat persists. A surprising difference to the aroma. Ever so slightly sour. Citrus present.
Moderate feel. Light carbonation.
Not quite to my liking.
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4.07/5 rDev +3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Collaboration with Manchester Marble Brewery. 330ml bottle.
Golden colour, nicely hazy, no carbonation, thin smear of head.
Very soft, light, elegant, white wine vinegar.
Light sourness with lots of floral hops. A hint of oaked chardonnay. Dry finish and a smooth wheaty aftertaste.
A highly drinkable, light & refreshing saison. A lovely summer drinker (released in November!).
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look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Collaboration with Manchester Marble Brewery. 330ml bottle.
Golden colour, nicely hazy, no carbonation, thin smear of head.
Very soft, light, elegant, white wine vinegar.
Light sourness with lots of floral hops. A hint of oaked chardonnay. Dry finish and a smooth wheaty aftertaste.
A highly drinkable, light & refreshing saison. A lovely summer drinker (released in November!).
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3.74/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Brewed with Marble brewery
Pours clear golden, nice big head
White wine, some rubicon mango in the nose. Nice
Nice bit of bitterness, good dryness, med/low body, good carbonation
Nice beer
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Brewed with Marble brewery
Pours clear golden, nice big head
White wine, some rubicon mango in the nose. Nice
Nice bit of bitterness, good dryness, med/low body, good carbonation
Nice beer
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4/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
330 ml bottle, Moor Brewery - Pours clear golden with a medium white foamy head. Medium carbonation. Aroma - Sweet, floral, bready, ripe orchard fruits, citrus hop notes at the back. Taste - Sweet, bready, grass, damp hay, floral, ripe orchard fruits, crisp, dry bitter finish. Very refreshing saison.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
330 ml bottle, Moor Brewery - Pours clear golden with a medium white foamy head. Medium carbonation. Aroma - Sweet, floral, bready, ripe orchard fruits, citrus hop notes at the back. Taste - Sweet, bready, grass, damp hay, floral, ripe orchard fruits, crisp, dry bitter finish. Very refreshing saison.
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Fullers & Friends Matariki from Fuller Smith & Turner PLC
Beer rating:
3.95 out of
5 with
13 ratings
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