Emersons 1812 Anniversary Festive Brew

Tasted 09/06 Inch bar Dunedin. Good rich amber in the pint. Full & weighty. Big up front hit of citrus and vanilla biscuit malts softens in the mid a bit but gives a good strong finish. Delightful

Yum yum yum. Without knowing what this was when I tasted it, I thought it was a strong or double IPA. Almost American in hoppy goodness. But this is English to the max, made robust by generous hop use and oak maturation (?) - just superb. Looks dark for a pale (rich amber). Tasted amazing with a lush apricot summerfruit gust as you swallow with hints of gingerbeer and late honey. Dry firm and well-balanced bitterness which is pretty smooth overall. Find it now! LOCATIONS: Tonic (on Princess St) and The Inch Bar (near the gardens). Do not delay - this’ll last a week!

Tasted 07/09/2006. Flagon in the scorers room at the end of an enjoyable BrewNZ. Notes written from memory, a few hours later. Deep amber. Big bossy caramel and toffee malt notes jostle on the nose, with a flourish of vanilla and orangey hops. Sweet chewy malts are well-balanced by an aggresive yet smooth hop flavour and a long bitterness, which leads into a very pleasant, and drawn out, woody finish. Superb. I want to try more of this. I’d even be happy to see the end of the regular 1812, if this one replaced it.

Tasted twice, once via beer engine with a sparkler from a keg , then the next day from a keg co2 serve. Big vanilla notes jostle for space with citrissy hop aromas. Assertive fruity hops start the palate with a hint of dry malt , fading to a huge oaky vanilla finish. Oaky Vanila seemed diminished when served by beer engine, but hop aromas seemed extentuated. outstanding beer.