We specialise in brewing English style cask-conditioned real ales showcasing Canterbury malts and New Zealand hops in addition to kegged craft beer.
Our special bitter is dry hopped with NZ Styrian Golding but don't be surprised if it has a bit more to it than the pint of bitter you remember from England. However with the provision of numerous private facilities and Government subsidies for residential and hospital care, the necessity for the Manchester Unity Welfare Homes Trust Board to continue was greatly reduced and the facility was sold in 2006 resulting in a considerable Trust Fund.
One for the real hopheads our Hopback IPA uses generous quantities of NZ Cascade hops and various American hop varieties as available to give a knock your socks off beer drinking experience. Since providing financial support from 2011, Board Members have approved 77 grants from 27 Organisations with total funding (to date: 2019) of $1.42+ million, towards projects assisting the elderly.
A light fragrant beer with a fruity aroma, a typical English 'session beer'
A strong dark ale this smooth strong dark mild has been one our house beers since our establishment in 2004, modelled on an old favourite of the owners - Theakstons Old Peculiar.
Our brew system consists of a 2000L kettle with high-pressure hot-water coils and an external water jacket for whirlpool cooling. We also have a hopback that can be used for added hop presence, using up to 3kg of cone hops.
There are 4 fermenters, consisting of 2 “open” tanks (1400L and 1700L), and 3 1800L fully-jacketed conicals.
We offer a contract brewing service and can contract brew 600 - 2000 litre brew sizes, preferably packaged in kegs for you to distribute.
Jim began his brewing career in the US where he spent many years brewing in his garage on his homemade 100L brew system. After 20 years working in the microelectronics industry, he decided it was time to make a career switch, and he hasn't looked back since.
He initially took up work at Renaissance Brewing in Blenheim helping them with packaging, cellar work, plant engineering, and brewing many of their beers including two Brewer's Guild gold medal winners.
Jim then moved down to Christchurch in 2014 and has since brewed over 200 batches here at the Twisted Hop. He keeps up stocks of the core range while experimenting with seasonal beers and keeping our contract brewers happy.
At The Twisted Hop Real Ale Brewery, we brew beer in the traditional English manner. Using Canterbury malt and New Zealand Hops, the beers undergo their final fermentation in the barrel that they are served from. The beer is fresh and alive when it reaches your glass. Our beer is best served dispensed by hand-pump, to produce a creamy head that will last to the bottom of the glass. The carbonation is entirely natural being a by-product of the ongoing fermentation.
Not necessarily, but it does make them different. Lower carbonation (though not flat), served not so cold (but not warm) and often through a handpump as no gas is used. For those of you who pine for a proper pint like you used to have in the UK, or those of you exploring new styles of beer, or bar owners looking for something different to attract the growing number of craft beer lovers, Real Ale from the Twisted Hop could be for you.
A Handpump is recommended (but not essential) for serving Real Ale and will give the beer a nice creamy head just as it is served in The Twisted Hop Pub. Handpumps can be hired from The Twisted Hop along with stillage for the barrel to sit on and a temporary bar-counter can be provided.
Our cask conditioned beer can be supplied either in a bag 'bright' with no yeast sediment, or in a barrel as a 'real ale' with the yeast sediment. Bright beer comes in a 20 litre approx (36 pint) plastic bags with a serving tap in an easy to carry box (like a wine box) so there is no need for it to settle before serving. It can be served straight from the tap or be connected to a handpump. To cool the bag simply place in a chilly-bin and add a bit of ice. A bag of bright beer will last for about 1 week, and can be drunk over that period with minimal deterioration. The bag and box need not be returned.
This comes in a 40 litre approx (72 pint) stainless barrel called a firkin. On arrival the barrel must be racked and 'spiled' with a porous wooden peg to vent it, then it will need to settle for 24 hours before serving. A tap is then hammered in to the barrel and it can be served straight form the tap or have a hand pump connected. A barrel of real ale will last for about 1 week once spiled and before being served, however it is recommended that the barrel be consumed within 4 days of serving. The barrel, tap and spile need to be returned after use. The bag or barrel would be best stored in a cool environment. In the winter this could be outside in a secure place or in your garage. A short length of pipe can be run from the bag to the handpump. In summer refrigeration is recommended to keep the beer at 10-12degC. The bag will fit in a small fridge or chilly-bin but may lose its condition (fizz) if it gets too cold. A damp towel draped over the barrel provides some cooling by evaporation.
Whether you are a big fan, or a bar owner looking for a new beer to add to your range on tap, we'd love to hear from you. We sell our beer in kegs of various sizes, we can sell you casks of real ale (if you have the means to store and serve it), or we can transfer it into a plastic bag for dispensing through a handpump.
(03) 962 3688
info@thetwistedhopbrewery.co.nz
The Twisted Hop Brewery
7b Parkhouse Rd, Wigram,
Christchurch 8042