Shakespeare Tavern and Mac's

Stopped by the Shakespeare Tavern, New Zealand oldest Micro, and Mac's

The Shakespeare Tavern was cozy, mostly empty, and the bar left the brewery semi exposed.

Beer: Old Gobbo's Nice Wiess 6.1% ABV

Served in a glass mug. Poured a pale to medium gold with a thin quickly dissipating white head. Biscuity wheat aroma is only thing of note in fairly bland nose. Wheat is first to hit the pallet followed by grain, sweetness in the middle, yeast and bitterness towards the end. Tastes almost like an american wheat, cleaner than european versions of the style. Mouthfeel was crisp with high carbonation and a lingering finish. Very drinkable beer.

Notes:
Sitting at the bar, I met the brewer for Sail Street, another brewpub in Auckland. To me, the effortless networking that happened in the two days I was in the city are a sign to go ahead with my plans.

Mac's was a swanky, chic sort of place, full of business men and women just off from work, grabbing a pint. A bit too cool for my tastes.

Beer: Brewjolais 5.5% ABV

Served in a tapered pint glass. Poured a hazy gold with one inch white unstable looking head. Aroma was a lot of spicy and fruity hops, very west coast smelling which makes sense as the beer is hopped with cascades. Taste was very bitter and unbalanced at the beginning, but the malt came out nicely as the beer warmed. The beer left a lacy trail down the glass. Mouthfeel was light to medium with medium carbonation and lingering mouthfeel. Very drinkable pale ale, could be a bit more balanced but a flavorful offering nonetheless.