On one of our days off, Justin and I decided to visit Invercargill.  This is one of the closest major cities to Te Anau.  You can take the fast way to Invercargill; the 2 lane (one for each direction) expressway, 94 out of Te Anau and if you drive like an American in New Zealand (faster than your average Kiwi) you should end up in Invercargill within an hour and a half.  However, the New Zealand Atlas says it takes 2 hours and 25 minutes.  I think that’s on a bad day, when a farmer decides to move one thousand of her sheep across the expressway.
[ad#southernsenic]
However, on our Friday off of work, we took the leisurely Southern Scenic Route (a road) to Invercargill.  As we were driving Justin saw a sign that said Lake Monowai.  He thought it would be fun to take a quick diversion.  About a half hour later we pulled up at a really small lake.  I grew up in the Great Lake State (Michigan LINK) and frankly, I was unimpressed.  Lake Monowai would be considered a pond by most Michiganders.  So, Monowai rhyming with “Don’t know why”.  I began to laugh at the humor of the situation and sing my new song, “I don’t know why, we’re at Lake Monowai.”  It can be sung to the Adams Family Tune if you are really desperate to sing along.  Don’t forget to the “snap, snap”.

Several hundred thousand sheep, and a few tractors in the road later, we arrived in Invercargill.  One of the bustling metropolises of the South Island, Invercargill is a city of 54,000 people with a great Brewery.  The Invercargill Brewery.  After driving in a few circles we found this tasty treasure and enthusiastically burst through the door where we were greeted by Jill.  I kindly introduced ourselves and explained that we enjoyed touring Microbrewery’s around the world.  Jill agreed to give us a tour of the place.  (Thanks Phil and Sarah, I believe it was the usage of the word, “Beer-cation” that really got us the tour.)  It  was amazing to see such a tiny brewery producing such a high quality selection of beer.  Jill showed us the old bottling machine, which only allowed 4 bottles to be filled at a time, and the new automated machine, recently purchased by the Brewery.  The bottling process is still labor intensive but now it takes much less time.

Invercargill Brewery is a innovative brewery willing to engage locals.  They even brew apple cider.  This year, they invited farmers to bring various types of apples to the brewery to be blended together as a part of the “Heritage Cider”.  What an incredible idea! .  It was not ready yet, but I may have to spend another day off visiting Invercargill, just so I can try the “Heritage Cider”.

The brewery also welcomes a few individuals, known as the “Yeastie Boys”, every few months.  The “Yeastie Boys” experiment and create a wide range of beers.  After sampling ‘Golden Boy’ I was impressed by the bright flavor and smooth wheat taste. Also, it did not become bitter or flat at the end as is the nagging tendency with many inferior wheat beers.  I think ‘Golden Boy’ could hold it’s own next to Sunshine Wheat, brewed at New Belgium Brewery, in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Justin and I support the local community wherever we live.  If that support happens to occur at the local brewery than, all the better.  In fact, after our time in Invercargill, Justin mentioned that if we ever end our nomad backpacking days and choose to settle down somewhere, having a Microbrewery nearby will be a selling point.  Forget that!  Why not start your own Microbrewery?  The “Yeastie Boys” seem to be doing great.  Their beer is available at The Malthouse in Wellington, which sounds awesome, I can’t wait to visit this establishment.  I can only imagine that if beer I created was sold on tap, I’d visit often to see what the public thought of my latest creation.  I hope to meet the “Yeastie Boys”, almost like backstage passes to the beer in concert in my mouth.

Perhaps, I could begin by learning from the pros and then apply my creativity, enthusiasm and beverage knowledge to create award winning beer?  As a barista, I fell in love with the wild, intoxicating Espresso Love, brewed at The Corner Brewery, in Ypsilanti, Michigan.  Really any coffee/beer combinations interest me a lot.  The caffeinated brew is definitely worth trying.

If you are sitting reading this wondering what a Microbrery is like…I highly suggest Googling for one in your local area.  You should find a rewarding educational experience on beer production and most likely have a FREE tasting session of many unique beers.

Let’s just say the Brewery sure beat Lake Monowai.  Have a favorite Microbrewery?  Tell me about it.

Tags | New Zealand