Mayhem by Geoff Griggs

Those who think otherwise would be well advised to try a bottle of a Kiwi beer with real flavour, like Epic Mayhem. The latest seasonal release from Auckland brewer Luke Nicholas is a hugely hopped, 6.2 per cent, American-style, IPA (India Pale Ale). Southern Man's favourite brew contains around one hop per bottle; Nicholas estimates there are around 26 in each 500ml bottle of Mayhem! You get the idea?

Mayhem is similar to the brewery's multi award-winning Epic Pale Ale but with the volume turned up! Bursting with US Cascade and New Zealand Riwaka hops, there's a heady aroma of tropical fruit, citrus and pine-like notes over a sweetish, biscuity malty background. The grist, which includes British pale ale, and Munich and crystal malts, provides a luscious rich malt base that balances the beer's challenging bitterness.

With a single 500ml bottle of Mayhem costing about the same as a six-pack of Speight's, aspirant Southern Men are unlikely to be impressed, but those seeking flavour rather than just refreshment from their beer should definitely check it out.

But be warned, Mayhem as the name suggests is definitely NOT for wusses!

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South Island Mayhem

Live in the South Island? Want Mayhem?

Go here:

Barkers Lodge - Methven
Riverstone Kitchen - Oamaru
Tonic Bar - Dunedin
Eureka Cafe & Bar - Dunedin
Scotch Wine Bar - Blenheim
New World Blenheim
Fresh Choice Parklands (ChCh)
New World Halswell (ChCh)
The Thirsty Bloke Bottle Store (ChCh)

(for all outlets with Epic Beer see http://map.epicbeer.com)

Mayhem Unleased on New Zealand

So to answer all of the emails, txts and tweets on where you can buy Mayhem, here is the list of outlets that have it

Alberton
Barabra
Branos
Cellar Room
Centre City Wines & Spirits
Duff & Finn Hastings
Farro Fresh
Hallertau
Hamilton Wine Co
Hillcrest Wines & Spirits
La Vino
Liquorland Albert St
Liquorland Forrest Hill
Liquorland Mt Eden
Liquorland Newmarket
Liquorland Parnell
Liquorland Pt Chevalier
Moore Wilsons
New World Blenheim
New World Hillcrest
New World Island Bay
New World Metro
New World Miramar
New World Rototuna
New World Te Rapa
New World Thorndon
New World Vic Park
New World Wellington City
PakNSave Porirua
Regional Wines & Spirits
The Beer Store (online)
Wine Circle
Wine Vault

(SOUTH ISLAND - I don't have a list of outlet from BeerNZ yet but once I do I will make an update)

So after spending weeks fretting about being able to sell all the Epic Mayhem within 3 months, it looks like it might all be gone after just three weeks on the shelf :-(

The delays on the bottle label pushing the actual street availability date out from 2nd February to the 18th February meant that the stock had been oversubscribed before it was even ready to ship. So there has been some rationing and allocation to the retailers. Some will run out before others.

Sorry if you can't find any in time to try. It will be available at the New Zealand Beer Festival both in Wellington (28th February) and Auckland (14th March).

Once the festival season is complete the small amount remaining (if any) will be shipped to a handful of retailers to top them up. So there maybe Mayhem available till the end of March at best.

Mayhem to be unleashed on Summer Beer Festivals

As New Zealand begins a long, hot summer of beer festivals, Epic Brewing Company announces the welcome return of their most famous limited edition festive brew – Epic Mayhem.

This 6.2% hoppy strong ale has been brewed only twice before, once in 2006 (when it won Gold and Best in Class for Festive Brew at the BrewNZ Beer Awards) and again in 2007. It will be on tap for a limited time at selected venues and beer festivals around the country. This year for the first time it will also be available in bottles. The 2009 Mayhem will be sold in the same distinctively tall 500ml bottle which Epic Pale Ale and Epic Lager already use.

Head brewer Luke Nicholas says that Epic Mayhem is a beer that will challenge the senses. “Epic beers are increasingly available at supermarkets, bottle stores and bars. People are starting to discover that beer can be much more than just a cold and fizzy beverage. It can have aroma and flavour too. It should have aroma and flavour! Mayhem takes this up a notch with its hop-fuelled intensity.”

Epic Brewing Company is a brewery which has always loved and celebrated hops. Hops grow on a flowering vine and are used to give beer aroma, flavour and bitterness. Mayhem is packed full of US-grown Cascade and New Zealand-grown Riwaka hops. The bottle label boldly states that there are 26 hops in every bottle of Mayhem. That is outrageous given that most beers sold in this country have the equivalent of a single hop.

“Mayhem simply shouts hops at a time when hops are in short supply globally and prices are at record levels. At Epic, we know there are two ways to respond to these tough times. Brewers could cut back and hope no one notices the lack of flavour. Or brewers could do what we did, ramp up the hops to celebrate everything that we love about them – the punchy aroma, the sweet citrus flavour and the lingering, refreshing finish,” Luke says.

Epic Mayhem will be shaking up the beer reality of Kiwi drinkers at the following beer festivals:

14 February – Kumeu Beer Wine & Food Festival – Kumeu Showgrounds
28 February – New Zealand Beer Festival – Waitangi Park, Wellington
14 March - New Zealand Beer Festival – Ellerslie, Auckland

Best Of 2007 - Epic Mayhem

Best Of 2007 by Neil Miller for Salient

"Best beers of 2007
Epic Mayhem – looks good, tastes great but I’d better have another just to be sure."

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