The brewery: Liberty Brewing is the one-time hobby of brewer Joe Wood and his wife Christine. They started out very small-scale in New Plymouth and just kept growing - until it was too much for Joe to keep up with production on his small system. Now most of the beer is brewed under contract in Tuatara in Paraparaumu while Joe also oversees some production at the Beer Fountain, the brewery inside the Hallertau brewpub near Auckland. Joe is the production manager at the Beer Fountain where he looks after the production of Hallertau's beer range as well as his own brews. 

Liberty Brewing Knife Party
Cult

Originally brewed in limited stocks for the annual IPA Challenge at The Malthouse bar in Wellington. The WCIPAC, as it's known, is a celebration of all the wonderful beer qualities that typify the west coast of the United States, where full-on hops rule the roost. The beers are powerful, redolent with citris-rind, pine and grassy goodness coupled with slick oiliness from hops and alcohol. New Zealand's best hoppy beer makers gather every July for the challenge, bringing unique beers as they seek to outdo each other in competition. Last year, Knife Party came out on top in an intense competition but stocks were limited and you had to be in the right place to get some. Noe the right place is your local Liquorland as Liberty Brewing delivers a special batch of this special brew made just for Liquorland. 

Liberty's Oh Brother Pale Ale
Artisan

If the full-on Americal West Coast-style IPA is too overpowering - and it can be for some people - a better option is to try Liberty's Oh Brother Pale Ale (artisan) - it's not quite as pungent and full-on as Knife Party but gives you more than enough satisfaction. This beer started out as a collaboration with Auckland Brewpub Brothers Beer - hence the name. It clocks in at 5.1% and is a balanced brew of lovely caramel malt and passionfruit hop flavours. It's not high on bitterness and is so well balanced it is an ideal started beer for those who're not sure about super hoppy beer. Plus Oh Brother is now available in a 6 pack.