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.