Hoppy Heaven

Despite a price rise in packaged beer looming, Lion Nathan's Mac's Brewery range was on special for $9.99 a 6-pack at my local supermarket this week. Taking advantage of the low price, I grabbed a pack of the Hop Rocker Pilsener. In my opinion, it's the best pilsener lager on offer from the two mainstream brewing companies in New Zealand.

The Hop Rocker has a lightly hopped nose with floral notes, but the first sip offers a far more complex flavour than the aroma's let on. A smooth mix of passionfruit, malt and floral hops which both begin and finish the mouthful. Quite sweet at the start, perhaps a hint of vanilla, but a powerful hoppy bitterness to stay true to the Czech style. Beautifully refreshing, perfect to enjoy with the last of the afternoon sun.

The beer looks great too. A deep golden colour with a white fluffy head.



And, Mac's have packaged the range in a really cool way: block letters on colour-coded background - it's as if the letters have been painted on the wooden panels of a kiwi holiday bach.


Plus, there are several different labels on the back side of the bottles, so there is something new to learn on the back of each bottle in the pack. Awesome.

My definite favourite of the Mac's Brewery range.