Wanaka Brewski

Brewed by Wanaka Beerworks
Style: Bohemian Pilsener
Wanaka, New Zealand

I went to the Wanaka Beerworks micro-brewery. I did the tour which was fantastic, and tasted all three beers on tap. As I am a pilsner fan Brewski was my favourite. It had a clean appearance, fresh citrus aroma, full malty flavour, with a balanced hoppy finish. Really enjoyed the fresh beer on tap!

Retasted 27/01/07, much smoother and juicier, gets a much better rerating from me. Bottle, a very pale gold witha filmy white head. A strong malty aroma with some grainy corn characteristics. A malty and bitter palate, again with those grainy corn qualities. I was expecting much more, but it is suspected that they may have changed the malt they use.

My first tasting note, written on the fly at the brewery door in Oct, was a bit crap so I’m having another look. Very clean and well made pilsner. Appearance and nose doesn’t give much cause for excitement (some ok sweet mlats and herbally, corny hops) but this beer really excels in the flavour and structure department. Well balanced Saaz hops action right through the palate together with a mild malt note. Some smokey, farmyard flavours as well, and perhaps a touch of raw wheat. So well balanced and clean it almost borders on being clinical. Quite classic. I thought it was over-rated as NZ’s number 3 beer but upon reflect is sits comfortably.

Bottle from New World. Murky, pale golden. Thin but persistent head. Slightly fruity nose, berries & citrus but not overly strong. Great complexity of clean malt, spicyness, biting hops and a full strong finish. A bit like biting an orange skin. Nice beer.

Bottle from Regionals. Fruity and floral hop aroma dominate, passionfruit, mandarin and Berry fruits (like a berry compote).No malt coming through on the nose but an allure of sweetness presides. Sweet malt, berry and mandarin fruitness in flavour. Grassy and resiny near the end. SMooth lingerinh bittereness which is pleasant to balance out the malt and hops. Slight hiint of oxidation in this one bottle. Ok - it’s not really a Bohemian Pilsner (maybe better as an APA) but overall a good beer. I am a late comer to this beer but becoming quite a fan. Unfortunately not as available as I would like! My favourite kiwi Pilsner so far.

Tasted at the Brewery feb 06 - Pours a bright golden with a healthy white head. Definite but also subtle spicy fruity hop aromas that beguile the nose , hinting at berry fruit and grass but never giving it all away. Fresh malt also makes an aromatic flash. Outstanding ballance between fresh sweet malt , fruity hop notes and a satisfying moderate bitterness. Top stuff. To leave such an impression on a non lager drinker it must be good.

spicy hop aroma good caramel malt base with a slight buttery-ness, solid hop profile with lingering bitterness that is slightly spicy. Very impressive pilsner that belies its tacky labeling.

Bottled. Clear pale golden. Dry and solidly malty with plenty of grassy hops. The mouthfeel is awesome - soft, yet crisp and the bitterness builds up to appropriate, pleasant levels. This is a top grade pilsener!