“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.
Food Science Student Scholarship
The Emerson Brewing Company Limited announces the establishment of a Food Science Student Scholarship as a tribute to the late Professor Jean-Pierre Dufour, formerly Dean of Food Sciences at the University of Otago.Belgium born Jean-Pierre, affectionately know as JP, was an icon in the international brewing industry. Educated at the Catholic University in Louvain, Belgium; with post graduate and teaching positions at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA and the University of Senghor, Egypt, followed by directing the UN brewing programmes in Ghana prior to New Zealand residency in 1995. Recognised for his academic achievements and applied expertise, JP’s enthusiasm and goodwill to all was complemented with a pleasing measure of humility which made him a man of the people.
An Emerson’s commemorative JP Belgian Ale will be produced annually and released in June. Vintages will vary in beer style, flavour and aroma–each brew will reflect one of the many beer styles for which Belgium is renowned. JP sales will assist with funding the student scholarship.
Australian International Beer Awards 2007
All Silvers this year
- Organic PilsnerAustralian International Beer Awards
- American Pale Ale
- Old 95
- Oatmeal Stout
- Weissbeir
Professor Jean-Pierre Dufour Has Sadly Passed Away
Emerson’s Brewery would like to extend its sympathy to the family of Jean Pierre Dufour in his passing. His passing is also a huge loss to the burgeoning Microbrewery industry in New Zealand.For those who did not know Professor Jean Pierre Dufour he was the Head of the Food Science Department at the University of Otago since 1995. He had a great passion for beer. Jean-Pierrre was born in Tournai, Belgium, he studied at the Catholic University of Louvain between 1970 and 1975. He focused on food science, then later yeast. He has worked at Johns Hopkins University and back at his old university in Louvian where he established a Master in Brewing Science and Technology degree. I could go on with the many academic accolades, all hard worked for and well deserved.To Emerson’s we remember him for all the advise he gave us. Passing on not only his knowledge but also his passion for the brewing process and industry. We thank him for all the hours he spent tasting and judging beers at BrewNZ, where in 2006 he recieved the life time Achievement Award. The hours he spent in our brewery tasting our beers and giving advice.
Jean-Pierre we already miss you.
2006 Westpac Otago Chamber of Commerce
Business Excellence Awards
This was the first year we entered the Awards. We entered in two Categories; Business Skill Awards, Manufacturing/Primary and Business Attributes Awards, Innovation. We were finalists in both categories and won the Business Skills award. We were also a finalist in the Supreme award that went deservedly went to Presbyterian Support Otago.We would like thank the sponsor, Anderson Lloyd Caudwell, who in the great surprise and emotion we forgot to thank on the night. Also all the staff at Emerson Brewing Co Ltd, who work with great enthusiasm and creativity to achieve the standards that is expected in Emerson’s Beer.
Lastly thank you to Westpac and the Otago Chamber of Commerce for providing these awards and putting together a great panel of Judges.
Tonic Bar
The old Travel Bar has been revived and given new lease of life as Tonic Bar, 138 Princes Street, Dunedin. Focusing on the more interesting premium beers and good food, it has five Emerson beers on tap. The usual selection is Bookbinder, Organic Pilsner, 1812 Indian Pale Ale, London Porter and Maris Gold. When Emerson’s has special releases such as Bock, Tonic will have these on tap. Also available is a great range of New Zealand Boutique Beers and selected beers from overseas. Complementing this is a great range of tapas food.Open hours:
- Tues-Thurs 4pm - Late
- Friday 2pm - Late
- Saturday 5pm - Late
So go meet Dave, Fitz and Viv at Tonic. They will be open New Year’s Eve.
BrewNZ 2006
Another great event, thank you Kerry Tyack and Diane Falconer for all your hard work. The setting this year was Bellamy’s at the Beehive. Yet again proving it is the show case event for beer awards in New Zealand.We entered this years events with some trepidation as we had moved to our new site and all the beers would be from our new brew house. We secured a great brand headquarters at Scopa Caffe Cucina, Cnr of Ghuznee and Cuba St. Thank you Lorenzo, your pizza’s are fantastic! Our Anniversary Pale Ale went down well, especially on the beer engine.
We receivied 12 medals and 3 best of class:
Best of Class
- Taieri George
- Oatmeal Stout
- Dunkelweiss
Gold Medals
- Taieri George
Silver Medals
- Oatmeal Stout
- Dunkelweiss
- Heffe Wiessbier
- Old 95
- Bourbon Porter
- Anniversary Pale Ale
- Pandora’s Bock
Bronze Medals
- Organic Pilsner
- Ancell Bock
- Bookbinder
- London Porter
Emerson’s Bourbon Porter
It has been three years since we brewed Whisky Porter. The last batch was number 547 and since then its been very difficult to source quality barrels. We thought this was the last time that we could produce Whiskey Porter. A chance conversation with a friend in the liquor industry lead us to purchase 12 almost new bourbon casks just freshly emptied. This was a rare opportunity we couldn’t beer to miss!The London Porter brew was decanted into the barrels at the old Grange Street Brewery on the 14th of July 2005 and trucked over to our new site for what was meant to be four months maturation. But now, nine months later, in May 2006, we have managed to find the time to rack the beer out of the barrels into the “marrying tank” to blend the individual barrel flavours. After our previous experience, we’ve got to know that checking the quality of each barrel before decanting into the tank was pretty darn hard work but oh, the flavours! The differences between each cask! The oakiness, charcoal, the bourbon - the tasting check certainly was a sensory experience.
Because we have only twelve casks left, we are researching extending the life of those barrels for a possible further batch of Bourbon Porter. In the meantime, do try and obtain some bottles of this limited edition rare breed. The Bourbon Porter will be released in July.