8 Wired Tall Poppy

India Red Ale - 7.0% ABV

So how come I’ve only properly discovered the great beers being produced in New Zealand in the last three or four months? It couldn’t possibly be my fault so I’m going to blame you, the collective unknown group of people that stumbled across this post by mistake. 

The Tall Poppy ale is just the next one in line from 8 Wired that has completely impressed me. Floored me actually, not literally as it was only early, but I was completely smitten by a beautiful, malty, hoppy strong ale which is everything I could hope for as an unashamed hop head. 

This shouldn’t really surprise me as the head brewer at 8 wired (Søren Eriksen) is also the head brewer at Renaissance, who seduced me prior to this with their wonderful selection of ales. 

On to the beer itself!

Just a beautiful red ale colour that is a little darker than I expected it might be. A really hoppy aroma greets you upon the first whiff with a little bit of citrus and this really does increase the enjoyment of this ale. 

This has all the desirable characteristics of a really good IPA but also has that depth in body the the red ale component provides. The initial taste is pure hop glory, but the balanced malt body makes this a highly drinkable beer. A quote from the label states: “Please don’t binge this beer. We have put in too much work for it to be wasted.” This is lovely, but I do feel that it is highly sessionable despite it’s high alcohol content and high hop bitterness. This might just be me though. 

Another note, this was like $12 for the bottle so I’d be mildly impressed for someone to binge on the 8 Wired selection. This isn’t the point though I’m sure. 

Too many digressions. 

If you haven’t tried any of the 8 Wired beers then stop what you are doing now and go and see my good friends at Slowbeer. They will make sure you get the appropriate choices.