Among the limited releases preceding Piha, Bells Beach Brewing have put out a viscous black IPA and a cherry bourbon imperial stout that didn't hold back on the imperial or the bourbon of its title. Now, after completing their eight-part HPA Aussie hop showcase series of hazy pales, they've taken a trip across The Ditch to create a New Zealand pilsner, a sign perhaps that, despite the Arctic weather blowing through their home state as I type these words, they're prepping themselves for more traditional coastal beer-drinking.
As with the first six beers in the aforementioned hazy pale series, it's also brewed with a single hop: Rakau. It's a variety that predates the arrival of many of the NZ hops that are all the rage at the minute – the likes of Nectaron and Superdelic – and here has been generously lavished upon a pretty straight up pilsner base: hops added throughout the boil then double dry-hopped at nine grams per litre; if that means little to you, it's a lot for such a beer. A very lot.
Piha pours the sort of visually-appealing golden one expects of such beers, but arguably it's the fulsome head that's most arresting. It has a Mr Whippy-like nature and is a good indicator of the creamy character that lies ahead. It's as if the Rakau hops are being caressed down your gullet in a soft, pilsner malt doona. There's stone fruit and ripe pear to the fore (as advertised) in a manner that's more subtle than explosive, allowing the doughy / bready malts to share the stage.
James Smith
Published September 15, 2024 2024-09-15 00:00:00
