Monkey Wizard Brewery - Hand Crafted Beer, New Zealand

Wizards first rant

Posted by on 26 July 2010

Tags: steampunk, coracle, barber surgeon

Good day to everyone and welcome to the new website and a big thank you to to WebOne Wizards and Andy Clover for putting up with my ramblings and disorganised wizards brain.

So here we are. What's new at the brewery? We have two strong ales coming on nicely in the conditioning tanks, the return of an old favourite George Best 6.2% and after that the dry hopped Steampunk Ale 7.3%. Both of which will keep us warm and toasty until Spring gets going. The Black Mass Stout has been a big seller this year and we needed more so I got going on some last week. Sadly the yeast was tired and lazy so I had to kickstart the brew with a Belgian Strong Ale yeast instead and it has fermented well ever since. Should be some interesting esters come over with that beer, not very 'true to style' but what the hell.

Here in the Troll Hole behind the brewery I attempt to organise myself and the brewery into some semblance of a well oiled machine. I do have a nice personal stash of Kawakawa Brown Ale conditioning nicely at my feet so that tends to help focus the mind. Also tried some of my Belgian Saison this weekend and very nice it is too. It's bottled conditioned with brettanomyces as well so should get quite complex over the next few months if I can keep my hands off it. These trials often go on to produce beers availaible to Wizard beer fans so don't despair. Coming your way soon....

Mrs. Wizard and I having been throwing spells at each other quite a bit it so I made myself scarce before we blew something up. I have manged to check on the magical garden though and Lovage, Elderflower, Anise Hyssop and gooseberries are all looking good and nicely mulched for their use in guit ales in the summer months. I can't wait!

Anyway I shot off in the magic bus to get some willow for coracle making. Found some lovely straight sun sticks near a stream in Marahau and once dried for six months I shall weave them into Coracle #2 and take a maiden voyage on the Motueka River (and try not to fall in). Coracles are very close to my heart and are the oldest type of boat in the world. Examples can be found everywhere and the UK has 25 different recognised styles. Our own Omaru in the South Island holds a annual coracle regatta and I'd love to go one day.

Sadly I must return to my weekely routine now Wizard fans. To help pay for magical training and buy equipment I need to work as a Barber Surgeon locally when not brewing. Shaving, haricuts, amputations and the pulling of teeth are all services I can offer to anyone in need.

Have a good one, Bibamus Moriendum est