Draught at Hallertau brewpub (in Auckland), pours a deep brown with a creamy white head. Caramal malt dominates with just a touch of floral hops in the aroma. The palate is at first malty, a little sweet, with some bitter chocolate and woody notes. The hop rate increases in the swallow, not too bitter, ending creamy in the finish. A complex and well crafted beer.

I’m torn rating this beer. I’ve had it several times now, and it’s tasted different each time. It looks a treat in the glass, deep orangey/amber with a slightly green tinged head! The aroma is hop heaven. Like fresh, wet hops - pine resins. This follows through into the flavour, and possibly is my issue with this beer. It’s just ALL hops. That was the idea, so mission accomplished. The first time I tried it, the malt went some way to balancing the hop blast, but lately it’s just a big hit of wintergreen/pine needles which leaves a numb tongue. Is that a bad thing? ;) The finish goes on and on forever.

Wow, what a beer. Huge nose of hops, fruity. Dark amber in colour. The flavour is a base of hops and a background of malt. opposite to normal. It is such a strong flavour that I was still tasting it like it was in my mouth twenty seconds after I swallowed. Simply amazing, pitty its a once off.

I’ve gotta say that this is by far and away the best IPA i’ve ever tasted, could possibly do with some more bitterness but i guess one has to make do with what one can get....massive citrus grapefruit aroma from the dry hops, i was a little dissapointed to not find hops floating in my glass so i marked it down on appearance! All in all a massively hoppy bitter brew that is a joy to drink!