BREWER: Yeastie Boys, Wellington Region 

STYLE: Earl Grey IPA

ABV: 6.5%

VESSEL: 330ml tin

TWITTER: @yeastieboys

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Right, let’s get a few things straight.  Yeastie Boys is an inspired name for a brewing company and a fantastic nod to a fantastic band (of course, I understand, this is a matter of opinion).  The whole brand is strong with Gunnamatta: it’s attractive and it pulls on one’s inner coolness.

So then when you get to the nose of Gunnamatta be prepared for slight disappointment.  Sure, there are hops in abundance and you get the sense that this is a well brewed ale. But there is a slight after smell, which is a little acrid, and, dare I say it, a little off putting.

Once you get over the scent the beer is, well, it’s very decent indeed.  There’s the definite backdrop of bitter notes with a floral foreground.  While these flavours don’t linger on the palate with Gunnamatta, it works well for this beer. You don’t want the taste to hang around. That’s not because it’s not pleasant, it’s just perfect washing around for the length that it does.  It is a very refreshing and light beer, and while it’s not a big hitter, it is able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the multitude that are on the market. 

The thing is, while Gunnamatta is good, and it is well worth a try, there are others out there that just outshine it.  That’s not to say I’d say no to one because I’d most definitely say yes! 

Sammy’s Rating: 70%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

So these boys from NZ have gone for the approach of having their very catchy brewing name leading the way on the packaging for Gunnamatta. This seems to be common across their current range, I’m not sure how much I like it, but let’s face it, it does look pretty cool and if you’ve come up with a name to brew under as good as Yeastie Boys, then you may as well flaunt it!

But with all this song and dance, will Gunnamatta be possessing a licence to thrill?

Let’s have a look…

Well, I have to say, the packaging is super simple but actually quite striking. Really enjoy the cartoon waves which I assume are depicting the waters of the Cook Straight. All dropped onto a great yellow, and with the black font too, nice work.

Once Gunnamatta was in the glass two things hit me. How good it looked and pleasant the aroma was. Certainly not tea like but a nose of citrus and pine. Very good indeed and got me even more ready for that first sip. I have to say I was pretty excited… The can was telling me this IPA had a long dry finish and the fact it’s an Earl Grey IPA suggested that was going to be the case.

Now did The Gunna deliver? Well, quite frankly, yes.. This is a wonderful tasting IPA. The taste upfront is quite in your face and packing a punch with bags of pretty complex flavour and that 6.5% boot in the chops. But then it smooth’s right out. This could be confused for lacking a bit of body but for me it totally works and compliments that upfront flavour explosion. Then comes the long dry finish bringing with it at last those hints of Earl Grey.

Gunnamatta is out of this world. Some might say…. Intergalactic.

Jymi’s Rating: 86%

 

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 78% 

 

MOB review next weekend: BANKS’S AMBER BITTER by BANKS’S BREWERY

IT’S ALMOST BEEN A YEAR SINCE WE STARTED MUSING ON BOOZE AND WE’RE HOPING TO HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL LINED UP FOR YOU ON OUR FIRST BIRTHDAY 🙂 

@MUSEONBOOZE