Growlers @4Pinesbeer and Emerson’s Pilsner

I first encountered a Growler in Des Moines, Iowa. It was undoubtedly the highlight of a trip I did there around 10 years ago. More of the Des Moines growler soon. Growlers are starting to emerge in Australia now and there are bottle shops in Melbourne that have tap beer that can be taken home in a Growler. Before Murray’s at Manly closed for renovations, I noted the presence of some Growlers – but they are available right now for purchase at 4 Pines Brewing Company in Manly. 64 fluid ounces or 4 schooners and 3 ounces in capacity – they are a good value way of taking home tap beer goodness. The 4 Pines Hefeweizen travelled really well.

My Des Moinian growler had an unfortunate ending. I used it to store some home brew – a particularly treacly, dark brown batch of brown. I was proud of the growler and stored it in the front room of our house. One evening my wife and I were out the back watching the TV, when we heard what sounded like an explosion or someone had thrown a brick through the front window. I charged into the front room to be confronted by what looked like the scene in the Godfather where Sonny Corleone is shot at the toll booths. Two litres of thick molasses like brown beer and shards of glass covered the walls from top to bottom. Had we been having our breakfast there, it would have been carnage. I haven’t done much home brew since. Hopefully the fate of the 4 Pines Growler is better.

Today’s beer comes from Dunedin at the southern end of the South Island of New Zealand. Emerson’s Brewery has been making beer since 1992 and the Pilsner is one of their 4 standards. They also make seasonal wheat beers, which I would love to try. Kegs of Brewer’s Reserve – or brewers’ experiments are available from time to time in Dunedin. The Pilsner is a ripper. Very aromatic with plenty of fruity overtones. This would be another summer classic – very refreshing and whilst the fruit is prevalent is finishes crisp – just as the label promises. I’ve never seen this in Sydney – but if you spot it – grab it.