I had a Sawmill 12 Gauge for the first time recently - I had no idea it had been around so long. But that's not surprising as it was a great beer. As high-alcohol pilsners and lagers are mainly to be found in the cheap import sections of bottle stores - and range from drinkable to awful - it was good to experience a craft offering in that style from a local brewer that was sumptuous, with just the right level of sweetness to counter the 6.5 per cent ABV.
It’s definitely been refined since the early days! Another good one is Sprig & Fern Tasman Reserve… but you’re right that higher ABV lagers are not really a New Zealand thing. Can’t recall the last time I tried an imported one … might be too much risk of a bad one!
I had a Sawmill 12 Gauge for the first time recently - I had no idea it had been around so long. But that's not surprising as it was a great beer. As high-alcohol pilsners and lagers are mainly to be found in the cheap import sections of bottle stores - and range from drinkable to awful - it was good to experience a craft offering in that style from a local brewer that was sumptuous, with just the right level of sweetness to counter the 6.5 per cent ABV.
It’s definitely been refined since the early days! Another good one is Sprig & Fern Tasman Reserve… but you’re right that higher ABV lagers are not really a New Zealand thing. Can’t recall the last time I tried an imported one … might be too much risk of a bad one!