Yeastie Boys Pot Kettle Black

Brewed by Yeastie Boys
Style: Porter
Wellington, New Zealand

I’ve got to say that my initial experience with pot kettle black was far from positive....sweaty armpit on the nose....surely not? Suddenly realising my proximity to the cheese stand at Beervana beer festival i concluded that was what i could smell.... Extensive further testing in a less fragrant atmosphere revealed the error of my ways and i found the beer absolutely delicious Re-rated tried on gas at bar edward....damn i love that pub and not a cheese stand in sight! Unmitigated delight! I’m a fan of dark beers.... brew enough of them but this is easily the most accessable dark beer i’ve ever tried, it’s the kind of beer that bridges the gap for people and for me that makes it brilliant! great stuff!

First thing I noticed about this beer as it was being pulled on a hand pump at Bar Edwards (Newtown) was that it looked like a good expresso - with a deliciously inviting rich crema. And funnily it does have a coffee-ish flavour about it. However the first thing that hits you is the big grassy resiny hop aroma - usually uncharacteristic of a beer that looks this malty. Don’t get me wrong the malt is there as well, the finish is a bit like a Ghana Dark - chocolatey and bitter. This is a great beer - try it while it lasts.

Tried at beervana, what a beer! pretty much this is the beer that has decided my fate as a beer lover, chardonnay be damned!

What a sexy beer! In the glass dark chocolate and cherry hue colours topped by an amazing beige coffee crème head. On the nose, grassy hops all the way with sun dried stone fruits and a hint of coffee giving this beer a rich and bold persona. First taste does not disappoint, smooth on the palette opening up taste buds to receive chocolaty malt flavours with a hint of bitter coffee at the end, beautiful! I’ve tried this on hand pump and tap, both excellent, but I prefer the tap version which drinks smoother and exaggerates the chocolate of this beer. First commercial attempt from this brewer, I can’t wait to drink what’s next in store.

On tap at Galbraiths, the last keg. Pours black with an off white head. Really nice fruit and citrus aroma’s which blend well with subtle notes of coffee and chocolate. Mouthfeel is silky with a smooth bitterness which lingers on the tounge. Hints of choc and roast malt in the finish.

Re-rated at the launch at Bar Edwards. First rating was at beervana where my palate was dirtied from about 20 tastings before. (handpump) Pours black with red edges, and a smooth brown head which diminishes. Aroma is incredibly full of hops, smells like an IPA! There is some kind of fruit there, perhaps orange, a smooth aroma. Hops come through strongly on the initial taste and the burnt malt chocolaty characters of a stout come in behind the hops. Hoppy bitterness linger for some time after along with some chocolaty flavour. (draught) On tap the beers aroma is somewhat musty, aromas are smoother when handpumped. The beer also loses some of its hoppy impact, but the chocolate flavours are much more pronounced on tap. This is probably due to the colder temperature muting the hops. Still amazing on tap but better from handpump. This is my favourite dark beer yet, so unique and tasty!

Have been getting stick for not having rated this yet, so here goes. Handpump, sparkler attached, Pours an almost black dark ruby with a thick beige head. Aroma is a cornucopia of new world hop aromas, fruity citrusy cascade nots but also the grassy gooseberry of Nelson Sauvin, underlying that are dark roasty and toasty notes, reminiscent of espresso and rye bread. On the palate a blast of fresh NZ hop flavour brings citrus, a touch of berry fruit, more gooseberry before the dark toasty chocolaty malt character makes an appearance. The finish is rich, roasty and hoppy all at once. Top beer.

reminded me of good schwarzbier. Like old black mac on steroids. Lively hops offset just right with delicate chocolate malt. I think i got a bottle of the last keg of this stuff from regional at the weekend. Highly recommended - I hope they make more of it.