FOR a city that prides itself on leading the way in craft beer consumption Wellington has precious few breweries. With the loss of Mac’s there is no longer an active commercial brewery within the city limits. While we can almost lay a claim to Yeastie Boys, as the recipes start their life in Karaka Bay, the actual beer that hits the market is brewed in Invercargill. The closest brewery we can call ours is Tuatara in the Reikorangi Hills behind Waikanae.
Last week saw the first new release from Tuatara since last year’s malt accented Helles Lager. Last Wednesday Tuatara A.P.A. , a hoppy aromatic American style pale ale, was released at the Malthouse. While Helles had been aimed at bridging the gap between craft beer and the mainstream, A.P.A. is very firmly aimed at the growing numbers of ‘hopheads’ who have helped to catapult brands like Epic onto supermarket shelves around the country.
Tuatara A.P.A. was developed after Head Brewer Carl Vasta returned from attending the World Beer Cup in Chicago this year.  A blend of three American grown hop varieties, Cascade, Amarillo and Simcoe were used over a solid English malt backbone of Marris Otter Pale and low colour Crystal malts.  Pouring a rich shade of light amber, A.P.A. throws up aromas of grapefruit, tropical fruit, pine resin and biscuity malt, in the mouth the beer has a complex range of zesty, fruity hop flavours, and a solid lightly caramel flavoured malt backbone. Tuatara A.P.A. really stands out from the pack of American Pale Ales currently available in New Zealand by striking a fantastic balance between malt character and hop flavour making it incredibly drinkable. For now A.P.A. is a keg only limited release available from the Malthouse, however if it sells well we could well see it joining the range in bottles.