Richard Emerson loves it when his ears burn. It either means he's being talked about, or he's drinking one of his absolute favourites, a chilli chocolate stout. This luxurious, decadent brew is made with OCHO cocoa nibs, red chillies, and Belgian yeast, giving it a deliciously complex rich plum, raisin, and chocolate flavour, a smooth velvety texture, and of course a warming spicy finish. Don't worry, while Deaf by Chocolate may make your ears tingle a little, it won't actually make you deaf.

Drifter is the beer with no real plans. A cold IPA that doesn't know where it's going until it gets there. The initial hoppy hit of citrus, tropical, and stone fruit flavours soon drifts into a clean, crisp, and cruisy finish. Best enjoyed super-chilled, at your own pace, in your happy place. You don't need to know what time it is to know it's beer o'clock.

Before the sixties started swinging, mild mannered Brits liked nothing more than a Mild Ale. It was the nation's favourite beer style in a time of politeness, moderation and general niceness. Ducks in a Row is a throwback to these days. Classically malty, with soft toffee and caramel notes. Despite the modest 3.3% it also has a good body, thanks to the subtle addition of Golden Syrup. Turn any day into a rather pleasant mild day.

It's not just chefs who like working with the freshest ingredients. The Emerson's brewers couldn't wait to get their hands on the latest crop of fresh Motueka hops from the greenthumbs at Garston Hop Farm. After harvesting, they're rushed from farm to brewery, and straight into the kettle. The extra-fresh cones give the XPA an extra-lively lemon and lime flavour, with background notes of tropical fruit, and a lovely hop oil texture. You're sure to give it a double green thumbs up.

A hallucinatory, mind-bending, consciousness-expanding, dream-like experience is not what you'll find in this can. It's just a beer, man. But, this cloudy IPA does have a gnarly hit of Riwaka, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops, with a tropical citrus flavour, and a totally piney finish. At least it's a trip for your taste-buds. Far out.

This beer is a tribute to the Matron Saint of Emerson's. Richard's Mum, Ingrid. Without her belief, patience, and tolerance, Emerson's Brewery wouldn't be here today. So for the wise woman, is this Weissbier - her absolute favourite. It's light and cloudy, with a sweet bready aroma, notes of banana and sherbet, and a tart, spicy flavour. Quiet, yet full of intrigue and backbone. Just like Ingrid.

This is more than a beer. It's a monument to the late, great Jean Pierre Dufour. Food scientist. Biophysicist. Beer legend. Most years on his birthday, Emerson's release a Belgian style beer in his honour. This one's a Belgian Strong Ale. A strong dark ale fermented using Belgian yeast, with cherry, clove, dried fruit flavours and a spicy finish. Sometimes we drink to remember.

Bears generally fall into two categories: terrifying or loveable. You've done well to get your hands on one that won't chase you through the woods. Although not grizzly, Juicy Bear does pack a bit of a punch. Brewed in the West Coast IPA style, it's been dry hopped with Kohatu, Nectaron and Mosaic hops, then spiked with both fresh pineapple juice and Abstrax Skyfarm Pineapple. It's worth coming out of hibernation for.

This Southern IPA is the ultimate southern collaboration, the World's southernmost hops, grown under the regular glow of the southern lights, then brewed even further south. The big hop aroma is balanced by the toasty malt complexity, for a slightly less bitter taste than many northern counterparts. It's light bodied with a crisp, clean, refreshing finish. You can't always see a Southern Light show, but you can drink it.

The 2024 Bird of the Year is now also the Bird with a Beer. Emerson's love their Hoiho there in Dunedin and they are proud to have played a part in turning its yellow eyes gold, for the second time. People's Penguin is easy drinking, with vibrant notes of stone fruit, and a biscuity malt backbone. It features local Garston Rakau hops, and Riwaka Amplifire hop oil from Clayton. Enjoy the sweet taste of victory.

Everyone loves an original. The original song, the original movie, the original sneakers, even. So, Emerson's are bringing back a special limited edition original of their own - Pilsner. Or as it was originally called, Pride of the Plains. First brewed on 16 May 1995, with Saaz D hops (now known as Riwaka), this 2025 reboot has been inspired by the original single-hop recipe. It has the same bold fruit flavours, and notes of passionfruit and lime. Make the most of it, it might not be around again for another 30 years.

As a young man, Richard Emerson was a huge fan of the Dunedin Sound. Being deaf, he couldn't hear the music, but he could feel it. From the jangling guitars reverberating through the speakers, to the buzz reverberating through the gigs. This beer is a tribute to The Sound, made with NZ hops for a bold local flavour, that will reverberate around your taste buds.