Beer Review: Panhead's Quickchange XPA

TOP NOTCH: Panhead's Quickchange XPA is the reason this reviewer loves craft beer. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 021014BF4

I HAVE been waiting as long as I can to review what is the second best beer I have tasted in my life.

This is just my fourth beer review, but I could not hold back any longer.

Wellington-based Panhead Custom Ales have really cracked it with their Quickchange XPA, a 4.6 per cent pale ale that really hits the spot.

Brewer Mike Neilson, formerly of Tuatara Brewery, went out on his own just last year and has nailed the combination of hops and malt to produce a very drinkable pale ale.

"Basically brewed with summer days in mind it's on the lower end of the alcohol scale, but there had to be enough character to keep a beer geek like me interested," Mike said.

I found that the stripped-down malt reduced its overall complexity, but allowed its tasty citrus and fruity hops to shine.

Grab a six-pack, fire up the barbecue and enjoy this top-class drop from a top-class brewer.

For the record, my favourite beer of all time - at the moment - is Rotorua's Croucher Brewing Company's Anzus IPA, which will be reviewed at a later date.

But in this case, I'll give the Panhead four and a half pints out of five.

Beer kindly supplied by CBK Craft Bar and Kitchen on Eat Streat Rotorua. You'll find Panhead's range at CBK and in most craft beer bars and liquor outlets.