Nic Watt, head chef of Masu, celebrates a successful first year.
Photo / Dean Purcell
Nic Watt, head chef of Masu, celebrates a successful first year.
Photo / Dean Purcell
Masu celebrates with birthday beer, Clooney offers cooking classes plus the new tipples to whet your whistle - the latest food and beverage news is served up by Nicky Park.
Masu's 1st birthday beer
We took a seat this week at Nic Watt's award winning, Masu, to celebrate the Japanese restaurant's first birthday. The paper anniversary aligned with the Japanese custom of celebrating the change of season so to celebrate Watt and his team launched a brand new brew - Haru Orchard Ale. The fruity beer - co-crafted by the brewing brains Baird Beer and Hallertau - was inspired by a mandarin sorbet served to Watt during an epic degustation at elBulli. "Spring brings blossom and that made me think of the sorbet at elBulli," Watt said. "I'm a big fan of Baird Beer and so we talked to Bryan in Japan and Stephen at Hallertau and the plan gained momentum." Masu has brewed 2000L of the Haru Orchid Ale, available on tap at the restaurant and at the Hallertau Brewery. It's also sold in 500mL bottles, featuring gorgeous labels, exclusively at Masu.
Watt described it to us as a "sessionable" drop that could be enjoyed over the course of a lazy afternoon. We agree - add a plate of mixed sashimi - happy days.
"For every epic night out, there is one that could have been but was cruelly cut short when tiredness set in and you shuffled off to bed. For those with heavy eyelids, your plight hasn't gone unnoticed. Jumping Goat is your late night savior, with its range of coffee infused liqueurs, which not only taste amazing, but also possess a mighty hit of caffeine sure to keep you charging." This is the claim of the hip Kiwi brand, Jumping Goat. Kicking off in 2013 with their original coffee infused vodka liqueur, these guys have just released a coffee infused whiskey liqueur in an equally rad looking bottle. Jumping Goat promise quality - extracting caffeine from fair trade Guatemalan coffee beans using a cold brewing process over several days. Have a nip neat or over ice, or add 30ml to ginger beer with a squeeze of lime. Plus, you can feel good about your tipple - a $1 from every tagged bottle will be given to Oxfam to buy real goats for people living in poverty. Check out their website for a list of stockists.
Cooking class with Clooney
Clooney owner, Tony Stewart and his three-hat chef, Des Harris, are inviting guests to come along and learn the secrets of their kitchen. For $140 per head, guests will learn to cook a three-course Clooney feast before sitting down to enjoy the meal. For an extra $35pp treat yourself to a glass of Dom Perignon, or get wine matched to your meal for $55pp. Clooney is able to host groups of up to 12 guests and bookings are limited. Visit Clooney website for more info.
New brews
On a casual Sunday afternoon we often find ourselves eager to sip a cider. But, with work to wake up to the following morning, we like to think we're more sensible in our indulgence. So we were stoked to hear about a new low-alcohol Lightly Crushed Cider by Monteith's - the first in NZ. At 2.8 per cent, four-packs of the new cider have just hit shelves for $13.99 or grab a dozen for $27.99.
Speaking of refreshing summer beverages, we reckon ginger beer is a classic thirst quencher on a warm summer day. The crew at Speight's are the latest to join the alcoholic ginger beer brewers, promising a less sweet, more intense ginger beer than others on offer. Six-packs are available for $14.99.
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