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 - September

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

The Malthouse is one of NZ's best known 'craft beer' pubs, and is currently celebrating two decades since opening originally in Willis St. They gave up their slightly 'tucked away' feel and pleasant balcony in 2007 when they moved over to Courtenay Place, to socialize with all the other outlets drawing inebriated teenagers into the capital on a Friday night (or any other night, for that matter). If you can find an evening when you don't have to navigate around abusive, intoxicated youths in what was once Wellington's cultural heart, then a visit to the Malthouse may be in order. On some evenings it can be difficult to get through the oxygen-depleted entrance and into the building, let alone close enough to shout your order to the barman, but on quieter nights you may even manage a conversation about beer with a knowledgeable member of the bar staff. Over the last two or three years, it has become increasingly common to find a beer dispensed by handpump. These days, both handpumps are often in service, and might include offerings from breweries such as Tuatara or Townshend or, most recently, the Cock and Bull Fuggles Best Bitter. It is worth checking whether the beer being served is actually cask-conditioned.

The Malthouse

The Malthouse, Courtenay Place, Wellington.

See also BAR OF THE MONTH - November 2012 and September 2011.

There are a couple of handpumps, with one or two real ales such as Tuatara Porter often available.