Friday Drinks...South Island Draught & Heritage Draught

Both of these draughts are from the Harringtons' stable, the former also known and labelled as SID.

SID; at time of writing, this draught was selling at $14.50/doz, and I have to admit I wasn't expecting much, however this is actually a very pleasant and easy to drink draught. While draughts have a bit more of a darker taste to them, this one is actually quite light to drink, although the first stubbie tends to bite somewhat. But subsequent bottles go down nicely. And as an odd twist, it accompanies sweet meals well...I happened to have an early Hot Cross Bun, and SID washing it down was very pleasant. Word from the brewer;
A commercial style draught light in mouth feel, sweet overtones accompanied with a biscuit and like flavour and lightly hopped.

Heritage Draught; at time of writing a dozen of these went for $15.50. Very much like SID, this is an easy to drink draught with a biting first bottle and then easier as each follows, however is nice to have to wash down red meats.
The Heritage Range is a series of beer brewed  traditionally, our in-house special, only available from our Christchurch bottlestores.
Heritage Draught is a smooth and clean drinking draught. Distinctive and traditionally styled.

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Have a Drink On Me...

Normally I reserve this for my blog Friday Drinks, but in light of the CHCH earthquake, I present some liquid refreshment for those here in Canterbury.

This is two-fold; people will gather, share stories and have a drink, and the two I present here are local beers, all the more poignant as it helps a local industry and provides an escape, a moment, and a time to reflect in the best way we know how.

Last week I critiqued Harrington's Rogue Hop, a beaut of a Pilsner I had recently has in their bar in Belfast. In popping into the bottle store next door, the Pils was $25/doz, and yet I saw the Heritage 'series' at less than $20/doz. I asked the guy what it was "really like", and he said it was a nice easy brew. So I bought it, and here are my thoughts...

There are generally two types of beer lover - those who love strong malty tastes, and those who don't. I fit more into the second group, and this lager is definitely one to fit my pallet. This is a silky smooth drop, similar to export Steinlagers, and some imported beers. If you like your Steinlagers and Heinekins, this might not be your cup of tea.


A lot of beer makers try to make themselves more sophisticated in copying wineries in advising the right drink for the right meal...I find it a load of bullocks personally; I love my food, especially strong, spicy and savoury types, and as most beers have a strong malty taste I don't drink while I eat as it tends to immediately overpower the food taste, this lager is ideal for me as it does not do this. this will not be relevant to a lot of you, but it is also an easy beer to have with a smoke. Some beers foul the taste of cigarettes, and some make the smell of smoke even stronger (Tui is a classic example for me with my Menthols). Not this beauty...



Disclaimer - this beer may not make
you a good singer...or fashion
designer



From Harringtons;

Heritage Lager 4% - Malt Lager

The Heritage Range is a series of beer brewed  traditionally, our in-house special, only available from our Christchurch bottle stores.

Heritage Lager is a smooth and clean drinking lager.

At $15.50 for a 12 pack (at time of print) this is a very good value for money beer, more so than our 'big boys' DB and Lion...and being a local brewery it is all the more important that we support Harringtons as they will have been affected by the quakes, and we must support them to continue to operate through these tough times. Where the hell are Speights? Tui? Lion and DB???? Not a skerrick out of them. Support Canterbury, buy local.

Friday Drinks...Harrington's Pilsner

A couple of days ago I caught up with a mate for an afternoon drink in the Harrington's bar in Belfast and smapled their Pilsner - seemed the thing to do as I had commented on Speights' Pils last week (still means I delay rating two others - and no, I am not biased to Pils). Now playing rugby for Ohoka, we are sponsored by Harrington's, specifically our own "Swamp Duck" which I am not particulary fond of, but this beer is a fine drink and I highly recommend it to anyone, and is best served (like all beers) on tap as this was, on a hot afternoon.

The official word from Harringtons;
The Rogue Hop 5% - Pilsner2010 Silver Medal Winner - AIBA
Our pilsner is brewed using organic malt and hops. Brewed to the style of a bohemian pilsner with our own “rogue hop” to give it an exciting strong yet lingering hop finish. A great one for a mouth feel challenge with lots of hoppy aftertaste and very refreshing.

If you're in Christchurch and happen to drive past the pub, pop in and have a taste of this Pils, you won't be disappointed.