Freshness and availability

Fresh is best

Our judges felt some of the beers in our tasting had the potential to rate higher but were let down by a lack of freshness.

With a few exceptions, beer doesn’t improve with age. The styles we tasted are best enjoyed fresh – make sure you check the best-before date.

Beer is also sensitive to heat and light. So don’t buy beer from the front of glass-fronted fridges or from under fluorescent lights. Go to the cool room or the back of the fridge and take the freshest product you can find. When you get your beer home, keep it in a cool dark place.

Availability

Many of the beers in our tasting are from small Kiwi breweries. That means you won’t find all of them in every supermarket and bottle store. Supermarkets that stock a good selection of beers – along with specialist beer and wine stores – are the best places to look.

If your local supermarket or bottle store doesn’t stock the beer you’re after, ask them to order it in. Or contact the brewery directly: it’ll know whether there’s a stockist near you (you may also be able to order direct from the brewery).

Ordering online is another alternative: www.regionalwines.co.nz and www.beerstore.co.nz both stock a good selection of New Zealand craft beers.

And you don’t have to buy a six-pack. All the beers in our tasting can be bought individually in 330ml, 375ml or 500ml bottles – you can mix ’n match and put together your own tasting selection.

Our advice

• Beer tasting is a personal experience. The best beer is the one you like, whatever its rating. Try our top beers – but also sample some of the other beers in our table.
• You’re after really fresh beer? Many of the beers in our tasting can be bought directly from the brewery or on tap at specialist beer pubs. Some pubs also brew their own beer … if there’s a local brewery in your area, give your taste buds a new experience.

Report by Libby Manley.