(Bottle 33 cl) Reading the latest ratings of this got me scared almost shitless. But the beer proved not to be that explosive. It did give a loud "BANG" when I unscrewed the cap though. Then it poured slightly cloudy with a gigantic and very lively shaving foam style off-white head that dissipated rather slowly. Aroma of malt and caramel - perhaps a little overripe fruit. There’s a vague, underlying acidity before a dry finish. Fearing the worst this turned out to be a rather drinkable if unspectacular Amber Ale. 180208

Retasted 01/02/2006. Gusher. Dusty aroma, with a hint of orange. Severe pedicoccus problems. Gets a point for not exploding and cutting me but that is about it. Tasted 15/10/2005. A stubbie, with brunch, at Jono’s after a nice ride around the bays. Bright, copper colour. Thin, off-white, head that disappears. Some mild apple esters and caramel-like malt on the nose, little in the way of hops. Thin, mild, unintersting, "NZ brown" flavour. Didn’t really grab me and say "Have another one, go on!". I didn’t note if this was bottle-conditioned but I assume it is, given that all the others are. Reasonably well made but certainly my least favourite from this brewery, it’s all a bit nothingy. Re-tasted 28/02/2006: 330ml bottle at Great India. Definitely bottle conditioned. Had ten minutes to air and warm before I sampled it this time but there was little improvement. I think a reasonable homebrewer could make an ale like this with a kit.

<i>Bottled, thanks Linc!</i> Hazy copper colour, small head. Toffee aroma. Sweetish and light bodied with clean, fizzy mouthfeel and fairly low bitterness. Too light and neutral.

Sampled AIBA 2004. Citrusy and bitter flavour. Interesting, I would like more of thisthan just a sample.