8 Wired Brewing HopWired

Anticipation is a funny thing. When we know that there’s something that we want, and that we will eventually get it, it’s really hard to be patient. Even more so when you hear others raving about how fantastic the thing you’re waiting for is. Now as a craft beer enthusiast, I’m often looking out for up and coming beers that I want to try, eagerly awaiting the chance to sample them. Perhaps the greatest example of this anticipation for me is that of the 8 Wired Brewing HopWired.

The seeds of anticipation were first sown when I met the brewer of 8 Wired Brewing at Beervana in Wellington last year. From the conversation I had with Søren that day I knew that his beer would be something to look forward to. As his first brews made their way out to Wellington and parts of the South Island his beers were achieving great critical acclaim from other beer reviewers. Unfortunately, being based in Marlborough, the 8 Wired beers tended not to make their way to Auckland. I finally got the chance to taste one of their beers, the ReWired, at the beer festival earlier this year. (Those of you that read my coverage of the event may remember that it was one of my highest rated beers of the day).

As great as the ReWired was, it was the HopWired that I was truly looking forward to. My friend Gareth (a fellow beer enthusiast) managed to try some on a trip to Wellington, and rated it as his favourite beer for the moment. Given that I trust his judgement, there was some jealousy and my anticipation grew even further. So when I finally heard (via 8 Wired’s facebook page) that it was available in Auckland I simply had to go and find some.

First I visited one of the Liquorland’s that supposedly had it. Unfortunately they had already sold all but one bottle, which I couldn’t find despite an exhaustive search. After this failure I resorted to the tried and true, and went to Galbraith’s Ale House where they currently have it on tap. At long last, I was able to enjoy the HopWired.

Now I know that often, when expectations are built up like this, the actual thing can be a disappointment. Not so in this case. From the first sniff of the fruity aroma I knew that the wait was worth it. I couldn’t help but smile as I let the flavoursome draught linger on my tongue. Immensely fruity and gloriously bitter, it truly was a pleasure to drink. So much so that I had to share my excitement with some friends, who came and sampled tasting racks with me so that we could compare the HopWired with the other beers available. A truly satisfying evening!