It's a year since Galbraith's was last named NZ Real Ale Bar of the Month, and it's about time it had some more praise heaped upon it. With the astonishingly welcome rise of the Cassels Brewery in Christchurch in the last twelve months, Galbraith's suddenly has some serious competition. Auckland isn't usually thought of as staid in comparison with the rest of the country, but Galbraith's is very much the elder statesman. In contrast to its young rival, Galbraith's seems very quiet in the evenings, and has been known to close early on occasions when it isn't busy. This might be a popular option amongst the hard-working bar staff, but it's hardly likely to make a patron happy who has rushed up from the city after a concert, expecting to get a pint in ten minutes before closing time, only to find the doors bolted! Indeed, the apparent drop off in custom might account for the beer being perhaps a degree Celsius or two too warm sometimes. These temporary blips, however, should not be dwelt upon. The beer remains outstanding, right from the moment the crystal clear (part) pint is pulled, with the happy absence of a sparkler head bringing an appealing froth rather than a desperately strained creamy head. Arguably the best of their beers, the Grafton Porter, has been relegated to the position of an occasional beer, but greater prominence has been given to their other seasonal offerings, particularly IPAs. Pacifika IPA (6.3%) is a recent brew, alongside this season's variant of the Old Burton IPA (5.5%). Another of the six handpumps is likely to be dispensing the latest of their admirable 'Great Brewers Cask Ale Series' beers. The Yakima Monster Pale Ale (6.0%), brewed by Liberty Brewing's Joe Wood, the latest in the series, is dangerously drinkable. The whole concept of encouraging the country's best craft brewers to produce a proper cask conditioned ale is much to be applauded.
