Beermen.TV - Episode 32 - Aged Woody - 4 June 2010
Ageing beer in barrels to expand flavour is a trend that has exploded in the US and is now gaining pace in the Southern Hemisphere. Luke Nicholas from Epic Beer dropped by when we were in Melbourne recently to share a massive new Epic Beer from New Zealand – Oaked Aged Armageddon IPA.
Epic Armageddon IPA Oak Barrels tasted after ocean voyage - 26 August 2009
Luke Nicholas of Epic Brewing Company tries the first sample of Epic Armageddon IPA from the oak barrels that spent 6 weeks on the Interislander ferry that travels between the North & South islands of New Zealand.
The barrels crossed the Cook Strait 126 times. The beer was sampled at the public festival Beervana, on the 28th and 29th August 2009, to very positive feedback from the public.
The barrels were named Pete & Melissa after UK based beer writers Pete Brown and Melissa Cole.
The inspiration for this idea come from Pete Brown's book Hops & Glory
Epic Adventure Part 12 - Made From New Zealand - 2 July 2009
Luke summarizes the epic journey to this point, meeting Pete Brown, reading about his own barrel called Barry (you will need to read the book to find out the full story), two oak barrels filled with Epic Armageddon IPA, an ocean voyage on the Interislander between the North and South Island of New Zealand, here's to Pete Brown and Melissa Cole for inspiring the current stage of this epic journey.
Epic Adventure Part 11 - Made From New Zealand - 2 July 2009
Luke talks to Neil "Haiku" Miller about the naming of Armageddon, Pete Brown's book Hops & Glory (again), the second coming of Armageddon and a reference to the impish brewer.
Epic Adventure Part 10 - Made From New Zealand - 2 July 2009
Luke talks to Stephen Plowman from Hallertau BrewBar, about the origins of the West Coast IPA Challenge, a trip to California in April 2008, inspired by some crazy hoppy beers, brewing for the 2nd Annual West Coast IPA Challenge, and unleashing of some pain on the beer drinking public.
Epic Adventure Part 9 - Made From New Zealand - 2 July 2009
Luke introduces Colin Mallon of the Malthouse in Wellington. Colin talks about how the two got to know each other, became friends(?), traveled to the UK together for some market research, Luke pours Colin the first pint of Epic Pale Ale at the JD Wetherspoons Real Ale Festival for his birthday. A meeting with Pete Brown author of Hops & Glory, Melissa Cole and a visit to the Rake in London. And a very cool idea inspired by Pete's book.
Epic Adventure Part 8 - Made From New Zealand - 2 July 2009
Introduction about Luke brewing in the UK for JD Wetherspoons Real Ale Festival, then brewing some Epic Halcyon at Thornbridge Brewery (UK), using two New Zealand brewers - Luke Nicholas and Kelly Ryan, plus some New Zealand hops and New Zealand water. Then two 5 litre mini kegs are shipped from the UK for tasting by an exclusive group in Wellington, and we see the unpacking of the keg.
Filling Oak Barrels with Epic Armageddon IPA
The filling to Epic Armageddon IPA into two mini oak barrels, for their ocean voyage on the InterIslander ferry between the North & South Islands of New Zealand. The barrels have been named "Pete" and "Melissa"
Epic Armageddon IPA 2009 - 6000 litres brewed at Steam Brewing Company
Epic Armageddon IPA 2008 - 1000 litres brewed at Hallertau Brewbar
Armageddon It - Def Leppard