Mad Hour, Mad Hour, Mad Hour

New Zealand 375 all out 

v England 476 all out 

New Zealand 241 for 2 

Match Drawn 

Tuesday 3 December 2019 

2nd Test 

Played at Seddon Park, Hamilton 

Different New Zealand Ticks = 145 

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So. The "experts' in the Seddon Park Member's Lounge were promising me all sorts. All sorts of rain. At all sorts of times. In all sorts of measurements. Eventually, it came. But, gently at first. Gently enough for us to whack the Berghaus on. And route march to the Good George Brewing & Dining Hall. Barely getting wet before the upstairs deity fairy tale cloud opened. Scenes.

The same experts criticised Root/England for not scoring quickly enough. In order to get NZ in & put them under pressure. I didn't see it that way myself. Indeed. I was a bit disappointed that England just didn't "bat normally" to finish off their innings. Batting Normally is a skill we're trying to learn, after all. 455 for 5, with Root & Pope still there. Both gone by 458. And, the lot gone at just 476. Basically, the only route to a win for England was a decent first innings lead. Followed by a lovely Mad Hour of bowling. With Blackcaps batters coming. But, mainly. Going. What with rain forecast, inevitable draw drift, etc. It didn't really matter when that Mad Hour came.

NZ were 2 for 1, after just 8 balls. Mad Hour Mad Hour Mad Hour - the Carrier Bag Firm chanted. I thought England needed to pick a fight. Get in someone's grill. Raval would have survived if he'd DRSd. But, he asked Latham. And, Latham fired him. England needed to get at Latham. Tell him he'd sold his Mate. Tell him … well just tell him summat. Anyway. Everything got tamed. A Draw.

There was no In Ground beer tick improvement over Mount Maunganui. Monteith's or die of thirst. But, the New Zealand beer wrap remains upbeat and very bright. As the CBF winds up the years, Room Beers are deffo becoming more prevalent. Down in Hawke's Bay, we were able to call in at Zealandt Brewery, Abbey Brewery & Giant Brewing Co. And stock up on mixed cases of bottles. Intriguingly, upon realising "You're a Pom", both Zealandt & Giant offered me tastings of their Extra Special Bitters. Lads, Lads, Lads. I'm a fucking HopHead. I'll say "oooohhhh, nice & malty" to your ESB. But, I'm here for the NZ Hop Bombers. Helpfully, the Craggy Range Restaurant (we were staying in a Cottage) had a range of beers from Brave Brewing Co (also Hawke's Bay). The point I'm making is I've given bottled beers from Hawke's Bay micros a right old savaging.

Here's the Best Of The Rest Top Ten, in no particular order;

Abbey Brewery, Hop Farm IPA, 6.5%

Abbey Brewery, Overkill IIPA, 7.5%

Baylands Brewery, Fierce Beer, NZ/Scotland Collab, Fiercely Stuck In Petone, Imperial NEIPA, 8.7%

Behemoth Brewing Co, Chur!, Pale Ale, 5.5%

Behemoth Brewing Co, Riggs And Murtaugh - Hazy Hop Buddies IPA #3, 6.4%

Brothers Beer, Houble Dazy, NEIPA, 8.2%

Choice Bros Brewing, I'm Afraid Of Americans, IPA, 6.5%

Isthmus Brewing Co, 3D IPA, 6.6%

Mount Brewing Co, Crazy Hazy Daze, IPA, 6.4%

Tuatara Brewery, Moa Brewing Co, Three Boys Brewery, Sprig & Fern Brewery, Good George Brewing, MEGA COLLAB, The Pioneers, IPA, 6.6%

But, it turns out that Outstanding Beer On The Fucking Island(s) goes to;

Garage Project, FRESH IPA Vol 2, 7%

Which turned up in the truly remarkable The Rising Tide, in Mount Maunganui. Home to Mount Brewing Co & Funk Estate. And, a big fucking wall of craft kegs. Daily Happy (three) Hour on their core range. And, all day Hospo Monday (wtf?). Long, long way to find a better bar than that.

Simple = Superb for that Garage Project FRESH IPA. Grows gently. Not overglooped. Takes your head off eventually. A bit of tangy orange very late in the finish. Great beer.

I think the current state & trends in NZ IPAs & Pales can basically be told through the ABVs in my list. Jog through 'em. Magnificent. Only one Sub Six. 

Stats
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