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 - July

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

The Free House in Nelson remains one of New Zealand's most appealing pubs. It is a laid-back place where beer and civilised conversation take pride of place. Things are done a little differently in Nelson. There are a number of attractive hostelries in or around the town, including the commendable Sprig and Fern establishments, which are only let down by virtue of the fact that their beer is artificially carbonated! The Free House, however, does the job properly. Their three handpumps are usually devoted to the local Townshend beers, which are generally in good condition so long as a little has been pulled through the pipes and they aren't too warm. The yurt in the garden which seems to have become permanent may not be to everyone's taste, but if it attracts people to keep the real ale flowing, then that's in all beer lovers' interests.

BAR OF THE MONTH - March

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.

The Free House

The Free House, Nelson.

See also BAR OF THE MONTH - September 2013, July 2012 and March 2011.

Two or three of the Townshend Brewery beers are usually available on handpump.