“Taieri George” seasonal release on 6 March
The Emerson Brewing Company releases the multi award winning seasonal beer “Taieri George” on Thursday March 6th. This exquisite spiced ale, released annually and brewed with the addition of three spices and organic clover honey from Central Otago is bottle-conditioned for five months prior to release on March 6th every year. Cinnamon and nutmeg notes are evident in the aroma and on the palette with the combination of spices evoking flavours reminiscent of hot-cross buns.
The brew has quite a history as Richard Emerson notes.
“The story of this beer goes back to 1995 when it was originally released as “Winter Warmer” and renamed the following year as “Forty Winks”. Whilst my father, George Emerson, was in the Otago Hospice, we revamped the recipe, increased the alcohol with a higher original gravity and bottle conditioned the beer for flavour development and longevity. George was able to sample the revised brew and gave his approval.
The concept of the present name did not appear until George’s funeral wake when one of our staff, was reading the description on George’s Certification of Appreciation from the Dunedin City Council for contribution to the Taieri Gorge Railway and Railway Archaeology.
We were bemused to see that the railway name was referred to as the “Taieri George Railway” instead of ‘Gorge’. We all agreed it was a great name for the beer and had a fantastic story behind it. Subsequently we found out it wasn’t the first time the mistake had been made!”
Taieri George is released on George’s birthday, March 6th to commemorate his contribution to the local railway scene and his involvement in the Emerson’s Brewery. The beer has an alcohol content of 6.8% with rich flavours that develop over time - if you have the self control to cellar some for later tasting.
