STELLA ARTOIS TAPPING THE PULSE

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STELLA ARTOIS TAPPING THE PULSE

High living and low life in the hospitality capital.
Now brought to you on Wednesdays
by Stella Artois, "serving rogues and knaves since 1366"

17 May 2000

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HOP STUFF: MAKING BEER TASTE LIKE WINE
PM GOES FOR LATEX
HAVE A BALL

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HOP STUFF: MAKING BEER TASTE LIKE WINE

The Nelson brewery of McCashin's have just launched the first in a new series of limited release brews. The new addition to their range - AroMac - features a rare and aromatic local hop - the Nelson Sauvin.

AroMac (pronounced arrow-mac) is a limited release pilsner-style lager made with "Sauvignon Blanc" hops developed by HortResearch. As the name suggests, the 5% (alcohol by volume) brew has highly aromatic characters, with passionfruit, gooseberry and grassy flavours providing a fruity taste not dissimilar to Sauvignon Blanc.

"Only 15 hop cultivars have been developed in the last 40 years, so obviously we are very excited about Nelson Sauvin," says HortResearch scientist Dr Ron Beatson.

Lion Breweries, owners of McCashin's, have exclusive use of the hop for the next two years.

The sample provided to LOOP was distinctive and very tasty. Monteith's Summer Ale now has serious competition. The bottle label - which features a watercolour painting by Nicola Mannering of the Riwaka Valley, home of the Sauvin hop - is also a step up from the now rather tired Mac's packaging.

The AroMac will be tasted tonight's regular Wednesday beer tasting at Bar Bodega, "alongside a German altbier (top fermented, cold conditioned)... four UK ales.... and Belgian big boy La Divine (9.5%)", says biermeister Neil McInnes. First in first served.

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PM GOES FOR LATE

xAlso tonight, in the Backbencher at the other end of town, Prime Minister Helen Clark will unveil new latex figurines of herself, Jenny Shipley, Jim Anderton, Richard Prebble and over 50 other puppets in a medieval theme.

The original puppets, originally part of the satirical NZ TV show (remember them?) Private Eye, have been augmented by 20 new creations by Wellington's Guy Cotterill.

The puppets will be on continuous display at the Molesworth Street bar, which will go smokefree for two of its rooms for the launch tonight.

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HAVE A BALL

The Wellington Hospitality Ball, featuring the Benj Berrymen Hiptet, Circus, DJs Cuffy and Max Kelly, stage shows by Paul Jenden, AV production and best costume prizes, is on this Saturday, 8 till late, at the James Cabaret.

Limited tickets at $80 each (fancy dress or black tie) from Ticketek. More info from John McGrath, 04 473 8048. A share of the proceeds go to the Wellington City Mission.

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STELLA ARTOIS TAPPING THE PULSE

now appears every Wednesday through LOOP in SCOOP.

"I would rather die of thirst than drink from the cup of mediocrity"

Visit the Stella website at http://www.stella-artois.be/. You'll need Netscape, Shockwave, Flash and a good command of the French or Dutch language.

Or check out http://www.stella-artois.com - the international site for beer.

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