BAR OF THE MONTH - October

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for October is Pomeroy's Old Brewery Inn, Christchurch.

The welcome from Steve and his family is second-to-none, making this traditional pub a firm favourite with its loyal customers. This characterful old brick inn was originally Ward's Brewery, but has just celebrated a decade since being established as Pomeroy's Old Brewery Inn. Many of the surrounding buildings were destroyed in the earthquake, but Pomeroy's had sufficient earthquake strengthening to withstand the devastating February quake and the seemingly never-ending aftershocks. The photo above dates from the beginning of April, just after Pomeroy's had moved outside the cordon and been able to reopen much to the delight of those of us who were going stir crazy in the city. At the time, getting to it was an arduous task, with long and treacherous silt-filled detours necessary by foot or by road. The effort was more than repaid. In the months since February, when it was one of very few establishments open near the city centre, Pomeroy's has gone from strength to strength. An on-site boutique brewery is planned (brewing and serving real ale, please!), and a second handpump has been installed, with two handpulled beers virtually always being on offer. Breweries represented on the handpump have recently included Townshend, Liberty Brewing, Twisted Hop (as and when barrels get rescued from months of suspended animation in the Red Zone), Three Boys and Golden Eagle. Despite the beer sitting in barrels or bags beneath the bar(!), its temperature isn't usually too far above the correct 12 °C temperature since it is consumed so quickly. Not all of the beers finding their way onto handpump are naturally conditioned either. Despite this, they are generally remarkably good which is, likewise, down to their short shelf life. Surely it wouldn't be so difficult to order cask-conditioned beer in proper barrels, store them in a temperature-controlled area behind the bar and then tap the beer straight from the cask? Now that really would set Pom's apart, and give it a good run at the title of NZ's best pub!

The Hop Garden

The Hop Garden, Pirie St, Wellington.

The Hop Garden, established by Bar Edward's owner, opened at the end of January, and purports to be a relaxed restaurant and 'craft beer' outlet. They have one handpump, pulling beer from a brewery such as Yeastie Boys or Pink Elephant up from a barrel beneath the bar. You may wish to enquire whether the beer being dispensed is cask conditioned, and object if it is being served at room temperature.