Harking from the vibrant mid-1800's - those founding years of New Zealand heritage breweries (several of which continue to operate on the original sites) - the "ales" of New Zealand capture the style of the traditional hoppy English pale ale.
This "Old World" heritage is blended with the adventurous "New World" brewing spirit of New Zealand.
This unique beer style is often richly hopped and is, in fact, not very pale at all, but dark amber brown in hue.
New Zealand original style ales typically have an intriguing balance of smooth sweet malts and crisp hops with a subtle estery berry-fruit aroma.
This style is the beer of the country - from the high country "stations" of the Southern Alps to the kiwifruit farms of tropical Northland.
