Renaissance Brewing

Microbrewery in Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿

Established in 2005

Contact
1 Dodson Street, Blenheim, New Zealand
Description
Renaissance brewing was established in 2005 when experienced brewers Andy Deuchars and Brian Thiel purchased the lease on the historic Grove Mill in Blenheim. Andy and Brian, both natives of Southern California, had one goal in mind - to produce stunning beers in a region more renowned for the excellence of its wines. We are committed to using local ingredients and are one of the pioneers of craft brewing in New Zealand.

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9.1
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 10 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9.5

(bottle) clear dark brown colour with a small brown head; aromas of vanilla, roast; balanced flavour - excellent

Tried from Bottle on 22 Mar 2013 at 15:49


7.8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7

Bottle: Poured a deep black color porter with a small dark brown foamy head with average retention and some light lacing. Aroma of black chocolate and cocoa is pretty intense and enjoyable with some dry light bitter roasted malt notes also perceptible. Taste is also dominated by rich smooth dark chocolate notes with quite a bit of cocoa and dry roasted malt notes with subtle hints of coffee. Hops are very neutral. Body is full with nice smooth texture and medium carbonation with no apparent alcohol. Very well brewed.

Tried from Bottle on 21 Mar 2013 at 07:05


7.2
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

500 ml bottle. Pours black with full head of big bubbles and spotty lacing. Aromas of oily chocolate, oysters, and black coffee. Flavors are similar with emphasis on the oily and oyster. Pleasant enough but a bit odd for a porter.

Tried from Bottle on 20 Mar 2013 at 21:57


6.2
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

500mL bottle, pours black with a medium tan head. Aroma of chocolate, cherry-like dark fruits, and a bit of roasted malts. Flavour of medium roasted malts, a bit of cherry-like fruitiness, a bit of chocolate and some English caramel malts. A bit too syrupy for my liking, but drinkable enough. Not the best porter out there (especially with the surprisingly high ratings). Decent stuff.

Tried from Bottle on 19 Mar 2013 at 21:39


6.4
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

500mL bottle, pours a murky orangey brown with a small beige head. Aroma of tropical fruits, citusy hops, grapefruit and sugary caramel malt - not the most aromatic, but rather subdued. Flavour reveals a more malt-heavy IIPA, with lots of caramel malt, tropical fruits (mango, peach and pineapple), some bitter grapefruit rind and citrus hops. Seems a bit under-attenuated with some residual sugars, but not too much of a flaw. Solid drinkable IIPA that's a bit messy.

Tried from Bottle on 10 Mar 2013 at 21:05


8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Bottle courtesy of argoO at Dc tasting. Black-brown body, beige head. Big brown chocolate tastes. Mossy chocolate, a load of peat. Very English/Scottish feel. Perfect clean mouthfeel. Rich crystal malt, but oh so sessionable.

Tried from Bottle on 10 Feb 2013 at 18:07


6
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

Sample at the 5th Annual Coldest Day of the Year Stout Tasting on 01/26/2013: Dark brown pour with a medium tan head that dissipates quickly to an outer ring. Short strings of lacing on the glass. Aroma of chocolate and coffee. Light body with flavors of sweet chocolate, soy sauce and malt. The finish is sweet with a short chocolate malt aftertaste. Pretty average overall.

Tried on 03 Feb 2013 at 19:54


6.4
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 5.5

15th November 2011
Persistent slow gusher and pours with a huge blooming tan head! The beer is black. Smooth palate, a little dry. Smooth dark malt, trace of smoke. Mild lactose. Palate turns frothy towards the end with subtle figgy fruits. Okay but the over frothy gusher palate messes things up a lot.

Tried on 02 Feb 2013 at 10:20


7
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

(bottle) clear very dark brown with a small brown head; aromas of coffee, soy sauce, raisin; dry intense flavour

Tried from Bottle on 29 Jan 2013 at 15:35


6.8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6

13th October 2011
Hazy deep amber beer, good pale tan head. Palate is slightly thick and a little soft. Good dose of prickly carbonation. Rich malt, slightly dark in character and a little smoky. Mild malt cream and a brief peach note. Dry finish, sweet malt aftertaste. Not bad.

Tried on 27 Jan 2013 at 08:04