Moa Beer Review
A recent Friday Question post promised some beer from the country that scored the fastest goal in a particular week’s play in the World Cup. Scott won that prize and the country in question turned out to be New Zealand! There aren’t a huge number of beers from New Zealand on the shelves locally but one that stood out during some internet research (at least in my opinion) was Moa (www.moabeer.co.nz). I came away from Wells Discount Liquors (www.wellswine.com) with 3 different bottles, Moa Original, Moa Blanc and Moa Noir. Here are Scott’s thoughts ….
“Moa Original: Poured a cloudy orangish yellow with a huge bubbly, airy head, even with a careful pour. The bottle seemed a bit over-carbonated, as it bubbled over the top when opened. The aroma was unimpressive, reminiscent of an industrial lager. The mouthfeel was light, very crisp, and bubbly, initially tasting slightly sweet followed by a fairly strong citrusy orange flavor. It was quite drinkable and refreshing.
Moa Blanc: Poured a pale straw color with a frothy white head. The aroma was mildly citrusy. The beer was light bodied and crisp with a sharp bite. The beer initially offered flavors of grapefruit and lemon, finishing fruity, similar to a white wine. Nice summer sipping beer.
Moa Noir: Poured very dark amber, slightly cloudy, with a good size tan, bubbly head. The aroma was roasty with hits of roasted grains and coffee. The beer had a medium body but a crisp bite when sipped. Huge chocolate flavors, tasting almost like a Tootsie Roll, but still fairly crisp and very refreshing for being a “dark” beer.
All three beers were bottle fermented, with yeast visible in the bottom of the bottle. Each had a similar aroma and flavor that seemed to be imparted by the yeast. The most unique feature was how “bubbly” the beers were, almost like champagne. ”
Tags: the friday question