New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for March is The Free House.
The minor matter of last month's earthquake in Christchurch interrupted the 'awarding' of February's "Real Ale Bar of the Month". On the brighter side, it did give some displaced people the opportunity to enjoy beer elsewhere in New Zealand, your present correspondent included. The Nelson area is well known for its concentration of micro-breweries, most of whom, alas, only allow their beer to be served in a fizzy format. One honourable exception is Townshend's Brewery. Martin Townshend's beers are becoming more widely stocked by discerning landlords, and include five regular real ales, a 'real' lager and a 'real' cider, and seasonal ales. You are most likely to find the beer in its best condition at the Free House in Nelson. The Free House opened in a converted chapel in 2009, and has quickly become established as a traditional, proper pub. Most importantly, they have three handpumps dispensing Townshend beers, with an occasional guest from Galbraith's or The Twisted Hop as an alternative. It's well worth ensuring some beer has been pulled through recently before ordering a pint, but so long as the pub is busy, you have a good chance of receiving your beer not too much above 12 °C, and in wonderfully fresh condition. There is a good-natured, laid-back atmosphere to the place, and you will find an eclectic mix of people lounging on picnic blankets on the grass outside, or sitting at large shared tables inside. Thriving, convivial conversation is the order of the day amongst the locals, for whom this is very much a meeting place in the best traditions of an old-fashioned pub. The place is happily free of pokies, and the muzak is generally confined to atmospheric jazz. This all adds up to give an atmosphere redolent of two favourite Devonshire pubs, the Double Locks in Exeter and the Bridge at Topsham. Not a bad complement for such a new pub on the other side of the world! Note that they don't open before 4 pm during the week.
