Beer With Me

SCARLETT MCAVINUE-NORTHCOTT | SHE/HER

Praise Be, it’s Bitterb*tch!

$21.50/6 pack.

Hey there, Wellingtonians!  I’m Scarlett, your local unassuming hophead. ‘Hophead’ is a casual term for someone who really intensely loves craft beer.  I brew it, I drink it, I seek it out, I research the hops, and think about which meals it would be perfect to drink with. I do other things, too, like entering my third year of studying public policy and religious studies, and occasionally drinking cocktails, coffees, and generally enjoy Wellington’s superb hospitality.  Under the grace of Salient, this year I’ll be trawling all breweries and bars alike, finding you the best brews and spots for your revelries.  So grab a beer, settle down, and enjoy!  

First up: ParrotDog’s BitterB*tch.

Wellington (University of) is exceedingly ripe with beer, and ParrotDog’s B*tterbitch is one of my absolute favourite offerings. An IPA so horrendously strong, homebrew judges were convinced nothing would come of the ‘bitter b*tch.’ Well, they were wrong, and it has since left a lasting impression on Wellington’s craft beer culture. ParrotDog focuses on creating beautiful, high-powered, flavour-explosive beers, and BB was the first, immaculate run. IPAs (Indian Pale Ales) were first made to survive long journeys from England to India, and were utterly loaded with bitter hops to help preserve them—making a fantastic way to transition from Victoria to Wellington living. They’re big and bitter flavour bombs—and BB? BB is textbook perfection. A singular English hop will knock your socks off first drink, while the smooth malt and big tropical mouth flavours will have you coming back over and over again. Green labelled, brown bottled, 5.4% goodness delivered straight to your gut. I’d always recommend downing BB alongside a good meal (think red meats, melting fish, roasted vegetables, onions galore, beef ramen noodles). Believe me, she’ll take you on a ride and enhance your meal like very few other beers. 

A seriously exceptional example of an IPA, and categorically one of the best that Welly (University of) has to offer. Available at most any Countdown, New World, the Lyall Bay brewery and bar, and pretty much any Wellington bar that stocks ParrotDog, including our very own Victo- sorry, I mean University of Wellington Books.

I’ll see you next time, and if you’ve got a bevvy you want reviewed, email us at editor@salient.org.nz