Extolling the virtues of socialist beer since last week!

Auckland weather often presents conundrums. With the recent switch to daylight savings we have more light in the evenings, providing the perfect opportunity to sit out in the sun enjoying a nice refreshing lager or wheat beer. However, Auckland being Auckland, spring has also brought rain, and isn’t so warm, leading me to want to drink something darker and a little more introspective. Fortunately, there is a beer for all occasions and in this case I am able to enjoy the brilliant compromise of a dark wheat beer in the form of the Aventinus Doppelbock.

The Aventinus labels itself as Germany’s original wheat doppelbock, and as such pretty much defines the style. The style stems from the bock, a strong lager first brewed in the German town of Einbock, back in the 14th century. Bocks tended to be dark beers, but some decided they just weren’t strong enough. Hence the double (doppel) bock was invented. And one day, in a stroke of pure genius, someone decided that it would be a good idea to make a wheat doppelbock, rather than using malted barley, and the result tastes amazing.

The Aventinus was quite a strong aroma, dominated by banana and cloves with a hint of chocolate. The banana and chocolate also make themselves known on the first sip, along with a pleasant, full, mouthfeel. On the addition of a good dark chocolate a delectable banana split flavour is produced. I made my flatmate try this, and interestingly she said it made her feel instantly drunk. Personally I just thought it was delicious. Well worth trying.

Oh, and just a quick shout out to Shadows, who despite being limited to Lion Nathan beers, actually have a reasonable range of single malt whisky with many priced very reasonably at around the $10 mark. For those with more to spend or something big to celebrate, they even have some 30 year old Glenfiddich (well worth it if you ever win a bar tab at shads. Otherwise the $42 price tag can be a little offputting. Meh, it’s still worth it).