8% versions from Regional. Massive ripe bananas on the nose, carbonation is low so i’ve marked it down on appearance. Alc is hidden nicely with a nice clean finish, it’s very clean and smooth, a lovely drop!

2L Rigger from Regional. Pours a dark brown with lighter edges. A wonderful aroma, I could smell it even when I was filling my rigger. Aromas of chocolate and banana dominate, they are slightly spicy, clove perhaps. Certainly an easy drinking beer, with dark chocolate flavours which yield some banana when fading, a bitterness from the alcohol is in the background, and some fruitcake spices are light throughout. I can see why this beer won the wheat beer category at 2008 BrewNZ, amazing!

On tap @ Thirsty Weta - ChCh. Dark brown, poured with good head. Light spices aroma (could be from the Taieri G spice rack!). Really sweet rich fruits. Prunes and dates soaked in sherry with Xmas mincemeat licking around the mixing bowl, Sounds nothing like beer but a treat to drink. A nitecap beer....

Tasted 30/06/2008. 1.25L rigger from Regionals (for a moment I was concerned they only had the 2.25L ones left). Dark chestnut brown with ruddy highlights. Tan head rises, diminishes, laces lightly and disappears. Only a hint of banana in the woody-spiced, clove-like, dark fruit nose. A hint of fruit mince and meat in there. Bready and wheat malts deliver a big sweet beer with nice subdued woody spices. In the end the the alcohol and malt sweetness make me wish it had a little more spice or wheat malt to cut through. This is one of those beers that I’d think was outstanding from any other brewery... but only rates as very good from Emerson’s. Not quite as tart or spicy as the general release Dunkel from last year (which was almost as strong). In saying this, I’ve just had my last sip and now I want another...