tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992879.post-13352008561889480992008-03-03T02:44:00.004Z2008-03-03T06:21:09.851Z<div>I didn't visit <a href="http://www.alehouse.co.nz/">Galbraiths </a>all that much during my first few months in Auckland (more fool me) but over the last few weeks I've been there quite a few times for one reason or another. On Thursday evening I met up with fellow beer-blogger <a href="http://themothersmilk.blogspot.com/">Kieran </a>who was visiting from Wellington and on Saturday I was there agin (this time with the missus and son in tow) to meet up with Kieran and <a href="http://www.soba.org.nz/">SOBA </a>secretary Greig (plus assorted other folks). A couple of very pleasant sessions!</div><div> </div><br />Galbraiths is a truly wonderful place. A superb building with tons of beer-and-brewing memorabilia adorning the walls. Excellent food - mainly good solid pub food but well put together, and the best pork pie I've had outside England! An excellent friendly atmosphere with a really mixed clientele. Oh, and lashings of excellent cask-conditioned, brewed-on-the-premises beer. Not to mention the varied guest beers and the well-stocked bottle fridge. The only thing wrong with it is that it isn't next door to my house. Then again, that could be a good thing for my waistline and bank balance!<br /><div> </div><br /><div>In the interests of fair and balanced reporting, however, I will note one minor complaint. The draught beers at Galbraiths are, as previously mentioned, hand-pulled cask-conditioned real ales. As such I would expect them to be less carbonated than keg beers (which is a good thing). However, the last couple of times I've been in there I've noticed the level of condition (i.e. carbonation) has been a bit lower than I would like. This makes the beers very easy to drink but less exciting on the palate. A minor issue, but I hope they sort it out.</div><div> </div><br /><div>I will still be back there at every possible opportunity!</div>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122623789276155279noreply@blogger.com