BREWERY // As the owners of a successful Christchurch homebrew shop, it seemed a natural progression for Paul & Laura Finney to launch Emporium Brewing in 2015. Initially they contract brewed beers but they soon started the search for a site of their own. They discovered the perfect spot in Kaikoura just metres from the ocean. It had the added bonus of a (rather overgrown) mini golf course on the property which they lovingly renovated as well as setting up escape rooms. And five weeks after they opened their doors the big earthquake hit. Emporium beers can be hard to find outside of Kaikoura so we recommend grabbing them whenever you spot them - especially their seasonal, wild fermented and barrel aged beers. Of course, the best place to find Emporium beers is to pop in and see Finney himself and get a flagon filled at the brewery taproom. And the best time to visit is early March when they host a mini beer festival with fellow local brewers - Kegkoura. We'll see you there next year.
BEER // Wheat has been used in brewing since the very first Sumerian beers and has been steadily used ever since. Wheat beer (aka Weissbier) as we know it today originated around 700 years ago in the city of Einbeck, Germany. Only the nobility were allowed to brew Weissbier until the 1870 when Georg Schneider (Schneider Weisse) cut a sweet deal with King Ludwig II. By 1907 the brewery was in the hands of Georg's daughter-in-law Mathilde who took inspiration from the Doppelbock (strong dark lager) style and invented a completely new style which was an immediate mash-up hit - Weizenbock. The Weissbier side brings yeast forward spicy esters of banana & cloves with a soft mouthfeel. The Doppelbock brings chocolate, molasses and toasted bread to the party along with a solid whack of alcohol. It's named Beginners Luck as this recipe was Laura's first ever all grain brew and it won an award at the NZ Home-Brewer's Conference. It was highly commended by celebrity guest judge John Palmer who was over from the US as the guy who literally wrote the book on home-brewing.
BREWERIES // Emporium
BEER // Beginners Luck
STYLE // Weizenbock
ORIGIN // Kaikoura
ABV // 6.7%
TEMPERATURE // Cool - 10-12C
FOOD MATCH // Elisenlebkuchen (German Gingerbread), Tender Saddle of Venison in creamy chocolate sauce, Dark Chocolate, Blue Cheese
VESSEL // Weißbier Glass