BAR OF THE MONTH - December

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for December is Smash Palace, Christchurch.

Smash Palace is the 'pop-up' reincarnation of Goodbye Blue Monday, which used to sit in Poplar Lane opposite the Twisted Hop before the earthquakes. The bar is a converted bus, and will be on the move sometime in the new year when building starts on its current temporary site. Even on a wet winter's night the outside seating is cosy and inviting, since enough of it is covered and heated. They showcase local beers, happily including a couple of handpumps which draw beer up from a refrigerated area beneath the bar. Despite the beer generally coming from bags, it is usually served in respectable condition, and has a relatively good turnover.

BAR OF THE MONTH - November

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for November is Albar, Dunedin.

Albar remains Dunedin's beer enthusiasts' bar of choice. The four handpumps serve a regularly changing variety of mostly local beers. Sadly the beer is likely to be served bright, but the bar is usually busy enough now that there is sufficient turnover to allow the beer to taste moderately fresh.

BAR OF THE MONTH - October

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

It's a couple of years since Pomeroy's last received honourable mention in these pages. During this time the building has gone through a period of repair, additional strengthening, and some minor internal rearrangement. The new brewery, Beer Baroness run by Ava Wilson, has also opened on site. Its excellent beers are found with increasing frequency in bars around the city, and as far south as the likes of The Portsider in Port Chalmers. In many cases the beer is happily dispensed by handpump without artificial carbonation. In Pomeroy's itself, three handpumps are now to be found in almost continuous operation. Unfortunately the beer does tend to come from bags, but it still tastes fresh and is (generally) at an appropriate temperature. It's rarely cloudy, presumably indicating that the beer is bright. It's certainly far more flavoursome, aromatic and drinkable than the wide array of gassy beers on offer.

BAR OF THE MONTH - September

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for September is The Free House.

The Nelson area continues to show the rest of New Zealand how it should be done, with a plethora of interesting breweries, characterful pubs, and handpumps popping up in several new establishments recently. At this point, though, the good example stops as most of those pubs' handpumps are connected to bags rather than barrels in which beer can properly condition. It's certainly a step in the right direction. Hopefully it will stimulate enough interest amongst customers and staff alike to prompt them to graduate beyond bags. The Free House are an honourable exception. They do set the right example. Their handpumps are usually to be found serving Townshend beers direct from the cask, although the beer sometimes seems to suffer from low turnover.

BAR OF THE MONTH - August

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for August is The Woolston Hop.

The Twisted Hop at Woolston is nearing its first birthday celebrations, and finds itself confidently leading the real ale revival in Christchurch. The Hop's beers are consistently the best in the city, and a convivial atmosphere and warm welcome are always guaranteed by the staff, who are passionate about their beer. In addition to the excellent standard beers (which will be well-remembered by regulars from the days in Poplar Lane), a number of special brews have been produced recently, and they gladly showcase other local brewers. No beer lover's tour of NZ would be complete without a visit to the Twisted Hop.

BAR OF THE MONTH - July

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for July is Little Beer Quarter, Wellington.

LBQ has just celebrated its second birthday. It has become a pleasantly civilized pub for the craft beer enthusiast over its first couple of years, during which time it has installed a couple of handpumps. They generally keep their barrels upright directly beneath the bar, with a nod towards reducing temperature by sheepishly adding bags of ice cubes around the barrels, although on their website they proudly declare that their handpulled beer is "Served through a traditional beer engine, at room temperature with low carbonation". Wellington has been erroneously styling itself as NZ's craft beer capital for some time despite having neither any real ale breweries nor any pubs that consistently serve cask-conditioned beer (surely Christchurch, Nelson and Auckland have a more genuine claim?). LBQ should be acknowledged for taking a step in the right direction, but beer-loving patrons might want to suggest that they go the final step and actually serve cask-conditioned beer at 12 °C through their handpumps.

BAR OF THE MONTH - June

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for June is The Brewery, Cassels & Sons Brewery at The Tannery, Woolston, Christchurch.

It's a little over a year since The Brewery last received honourable mention in these pages. Much has happened at Cassels and in Christchurch since that time. Work continues apace on the Tannery arcade conversion (see photo above). Gustav's, Cassels new wine bar opened this week, marking the second anniversary of The Brewery (bar rather than lower-case brewery!) opening. Gustav's outstanding fitout, together with its two handpumps, will receive further attention here in the near future but, for now, let's raise a glass to Alasdair Cassels and his team for the fine work they are doing in making Christchurch a better place after nearly three years of difficult times. Admittedly, there have been problems with beer quality control over recent months, although most of the beer pulled from the handpumps has been of respectable quality. A rapidly expanding brewery was always going to have challenges, especially after the astonishingly high quality of its beer in its first year of operation. Let's hope that its third year sees a return to its incomparable best.

BAR OF THE MONTH - May

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for May is Galbraith's.

Galbraith's remains the North Island's unquestionable beer mecca. In the year since its last honourable mention in these pages, the other sources of real ale in the Auckland region have dried up. The much-lamented Cock and Bull chain has been bought, its award-winning beer ceased, and it now seems to be suffering a slow descent into some sort of tacky faux-Irish-branded set of bars serving bland national keg beer; hardly a recipe to attract people who care about beer, one would think! The Speakers Corner English Ale House on the North Shore has ceased using its handpumps, apparently after a row with their supplier (Galbraith's) about pricing. A handful of new breweries have opened up in recent months around the city. Alas, they perpetuate the mistaken view that beer has to be fizzy, whereas beer lovers will understand that anything that has to be artificially carbonated in order to get it to the bar really isn't beer at all. Against this dispiriting background, Galbraith's is a true oasis. The only establishments that come anywhere close to Galbraith's (Cassels and the rejuvenated Twisted Hop, both in Christchurch) may have their moments of deserved and happy success, but there really is nowhere else to compare to Galbraith's in terms of its long-standing, consistently outstanding beer. Time-after-time, their beers are crystal clear, pretty-much the perfect temperature, aromatic, and immaculately balanced (although perhaps tending towards a little too much sweetness in order to cater for the average NZ palate?). Keep up the good work, and long may your success continue. Cheers!

BAR OF THE MONTH - April

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for April is Cassels & Sons CBD Bar, Christchurch.

Since opening eight months ago, Cassels CBD Bar has quickly become established as one of Christchurch's best bars. Of course, there's not a lot of competition at the moment, but they set high standards in terms of the quality of their building and its fittings, the warm welcome and friendly atmosphere and, most crucially, the quality of their beer. It is true to say that Cassels beers are not of the same exquisitely high standard that they were a year ago, but they have settled back to consistently drinkable quality after going through a temporary bad patch six months ago. The four handpumps get a good workout, with barrels rarely staying on for more than a day or two. Unfortunately, limited cellar space means that barrels aren't always allowed to condition and settle for as long as would be ideal, and sometimes the beer is even pumped from bags (brought fresh from the brewery at Woolston).

Smash Palace, Christchurch

Smash Palace, Corner of Victoria St and Bealey Ave, Christchurch.

See also BAR OF THE MONTH - December 2013.

Smash Palace is one of Christchurch's ubiquitous 'pop-up' bars, and has been running, out of a decommissioned bus, for nearly a year now. They have two handpumps, with beers from the likes of Cassels pulled through 'from the bag'.

BAR OF THE MONTH - March

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for March is The Woolston Hop.

In the five months since opening in Woolston, The Twisted Hop has swiftly reclaimed its spot as Christchurch's premier purveyor of real ale. They had a rough patch shortly after opening due to a problem at the brewery, but they took the sensible option of pouring the beer down the drain, and have worked hard ever since to ensure that their customers leave with a positive experience. The welcoming and knowledgeable bar staff know their beer, and they are always ready to chat about it. As well as the usual beers (from which the Golding Bitter has been a particular stand-out recently), there have been some small-batch specials such as the Skullbuggery Double IPA, tastings of Hopback IPA with different hops, and one (of the twelve) handpumps often has a guest offering from the likes of Raindogs and Golden Eagle. Beer lovers on the west of the city will be disappointed to hear that the brewery shop at Wigram is no longer open on Friday evenings, but the staff at The Woolston Hop will happily fill take-away riggers of ale. The Lincoln Hop (which will also contain the original Twisted Hop's brewing equipment) is on track for opening later this year.

Peak Brewery

Peak Brewery, Masterton.

The Peak Brewery, situated on a lifestyle block midway between Masterton and Carterton, has been running Sunday sessions recently, during which their Mendip Bitter has been served on handpump. The brewery's excellent bottle-conditioned beers can be found in the Wairarapa area, and their cask conditioned beers are occasionally available too in Wellington at establishments such as the Malthouse. It would be wise to contact the brewery prior to visiting to see whether the Sunday sessions are continuing into the winter.

BAR OF THE MONTH - February

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for February is Volstead.

In the immediate aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake a couple of years ago, friends and neighbours met in each other's homes and garages to drink and socialise. Where else were they to go? All the familiar drinking venues had collapsed or were closed and off limits. Volstead, in a small converted industrial unit just off Riccarton Road, has been a wonderful continuation of this spirit over the last year and a half. Ostensibly inspired by the American prohibition-era speakeasy, Volstead is happily different to the other soulless, bland and tacky theme bars in the area. Its spartan appearance, complete with mismatching furniture which really does look like is has come out of a skip may not be to everyone's taste, but if you're looking for a laidback place where beer and amiable conversation rule, then Volstead should not disappoint. On summer evenings, the huge main door is completely opened up, leaving happy drinkers to spill out into the front courtyard area, enjoying the last of the day's sun. In winter, it can be a little chillier inside, but at least that ensures the beer does not get too warm. Early demand saw handpulled beer feature strongly, and there are now five handpumps. Unfortunately, at this stage all the handpumps are connected to bags of beer, but the staff go to trouble to ensure the beer pulled through is fresh, close to the correct temperature of about 12 °C, and not unduly cloudy. The beer is usually pretty good, and it's revealing to drink some of the unfiltered and unpasteurised beers that they dispense by handpump, comparing them to identical beers pushed up to the bar and impregnated by artificial carbonation in other bars. It would be great to see Volstead going the final step of installing a small refrigerated room behind the brick bar and tapping beer direct from the cask! Beers on handpump are likely to come from breweries such as Twisted Hop, Cassels, Townshend, Four Avenues, Golden Eagle and Yeastie Boys. Keep your eyes open for a microbrewery next door.

BAR OF THE MONTH - January

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for January is D4, Wellington.

D4 was one of the earliest bars in Wellington to install a handpump, and their barstaff are adept at ensuring that the beer pulled through is fresh and served at the correct temperature. It is usually used to dispense a dark beer such as Emerson's London Porter or Tuatara Porter. Unlike most of the faux, kitsch Irish bars around the world, D4 is the genuine article. It is warm, welcoming and understated: a genuine reflection of the true hospitality and atmosphere that one enjoys in the best establishments in the Emerald Isle.

BAR OF THE MONTH - December

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for December is Albar, Dunedin.

Since last being nominated as NZ Real Ale Bar of the Month a year ago, Albar seems to have become busier, and is successfully serving four relatively fresh-tasting beers from their handpumps. The selection generally includes brews from the likes of Emerson's (whose sale to multinational brewer Lion is of great concern), Renaissance and Tuatara. Long may their success continue.

Meow

Meow, Edward St, Wellington.

Meow, opposite Little Beer Quarter, have installed a handpump this year. It doesn't get much use during the daytime, but apparently gets more action in the evenings. Unfortunately they are following a disturbing Wellington trend of keeping the barrel directly beneath the bar, so you are likely to get room-temperature beer from the likes of McCashin's Brewery at Stoke.

BAR OF THE MONTH - November

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for November is The Malthouse, Wellington.

It's almost embarrassing to note just how far ahead of the competition The Malthouse is in Wellington. Alas, there are only two handpumps, but their offerings change regularly, and include a wonderful variety of beers. Unlike some of their neighbours (who shall remain nameless), The Malthouse's knowledgeable bar staff realise that real ale should be served fresh and at about 12 °C, and ensure that it is. It's not uncommon when requesting a pint to see two or three pulled through first and poured down the sink before you're presented with your beer in order to ensure that any stale, warm beer in the pipes has been expunged. How refreshing! Other bars, please take note!

As an addendum, it is worth pointing out that the Malthouse's handpumps are, of course, genuine, unlike the fake ones round the corner at The Bruhaus and The Tap Haus, where the beer is pushed up to the bar by carbon dioxide at the pull of a switch. Admittedly, the artificial carbonation is relatively low at those establishments, but the beer served is some of the most unpleasant, stale, metallic-tasting rubbish that has ever passed this drinker's lips. These places' pretence at serving proper beer simply give the genuine purveyors of the drink we all love, such as The Malthouse, a bad name.

As a further and final addendum, the team behind the Malthouse are responsible for the Fork and Brewer on Bond St, where brewing finally started after various delays in September. Apparently they've had repeated requests to install handpumps and serve real ale. Strangely, they have, as yet, not succumbed.

BAR OF THE MONTH - October

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for October is The Woolston Hop.

It would seem churlish not to nominate The Woolston Hop as NZ's Real Ale Bar of the Month when its opening a few days ago marked such an agreeable and rightly acclaimed return to normality for Christchurch. The city's recent misfortune with earthquakes is well known and, even as these words are typed, a magnitude 3.6 aftershock not far from Woolston gives long-suffering residents a reminder (as if it were needed!) of what has passed. The industrial concrete of the new Hop is redolent of the old, although the building itself also has a warm homely feel to it already. It would be difficult to heap enough praise on the owners and staff who have struggled to get things up and running again over a tough year and a half, but the enthusiastic response of former regulars already indicates how pleased we are to see the Hop back up and running again. Initial beer quality is encouraging. Truth be told, the best beer available in New Zealand at the moment is tapped straight from the cask at the Twisted Hop brewery in Wigram every Friday, although it remains to be seen how fresh their firkins will remain when trade to the door drops off with Woolston's rise. Hopefully some of Christchurch's outstanding new real ale establishments will realise that handpumps are merely a step along the road towards beer nirvana, and that a foaming pint tapped fresh from the cask is an experience that cannot be bettered. There's another challenge set for this astonishingly adaptable city!

The Twisted Hop, Woolston

The Twisted Hop, Ferry Road, Woolston, Christchurch.

See also BAR OF THE MONTH - August 2013, March 2013 and October 2012.

After a long enforced absence, The Twisted Hop is back up and running in Christchurch. The original buildings in Poplar Lane stand desolate in a wasteland of rubble, sadly destined to suffer the same fate as their neighbours. New premises have been built in Woolston, an area that has unexpectedly become New Zealand's real ale capital hosting, as it does, the Twisted Hop, and the Cassels and Three Boys Breweries. After a euphoric private opening at the weekend, the pub is now formally open, and already acting as a magnet for Christchurch's beer connoisseurs again. Old acquaintances have been reignited, not least with the standard Golding Bitter (3.7%), Challenger (5.0%) and Twisted Ankle (5.9%), each dispensed from three banks of four handpumps (taking the NZ record after surpassing their colleagues' six down the road at Cassels). New friends are to be made with the gloriously hoppy Hopback IPA (5.8%). The Twisted Hop Brewery shop at Wigram remains open on Friday afternoons (only until 6 pm now), and plans are progressing slowly but steadily for The Twisted Hop Lincoln.

BAR OF THE MONTH - September

New Zealand Real Ale Bar of the Month for September is Hashigo Zake.

Since opening three years ago, Hashigo Zake has established itself on the Wellington beer scene as one of the foremost advocates for both new local and international breweries. The bar staff have a first-rate knowledge of, and passion for beer. The beers dispensed from their three handpumps change regularly, although Townshend is virtually always featured. Beers from the likes of the encouraging young Garage Project Brewery and the Peak Brewery (whose bottle-conditioned beers are impressive, by the way) have recently been available on handpump. Knowledge about beer isn't everything, though. Your present correspondent's experiences of hand-pulled beer at Hashigo Zake have not, until recently, been favourable. On dozens of occasions over the last three years their beer has been too warm, stale or cloudy, and it is for this reason that it has not been recommended on these pages before. This seems to be becoming less of a problem, though, with recent visits leaving a far more pleasant taste in the mouth. Hashigo Zake deserves great success. Let us hope that the quality of their beer continues on its upward trend.