Desert Island Beers #13: Martin Townshend

Martin Townshend started home brewing in the mid-nineties with two Swedes, a South African and another pom whilst saving hard during an apple picking season in New Zealand during 1995.

When returning to live in New Zealand permanently in 2001, a weekly slot to talk about beer in a local radio station arose that lasted over a year and a half. On the back of radio appearances a fortnightly beer column in the local newspaper led him to meet a fellow brewing enthusiast and Craftbrewers was born, a small marketing company dedicated to the (then) 5 breweries in the top of the South Island. A series of beer events followed, raising capital for Martin to seek further investment to purchase the Moutere Inn, New Zealand oldest pub. It now boasts 13 dedicated craft beer taps.

Whilst this was all going on, Townshend Brewery was established, dedicated to cask real ale. Growing steadily and as demand increased for the beer, the brewery’s output became a full time job. Since selling his shares in the Moutere Inn, the brewery has gone from strength to strength, winning the odd award on the way.

Martin Townshend, Townshend Brewing, New Zealand

The Beers

Hi Martin! So, which 5 beers would you want to have with you if you were stranded on a desert island, and why?

1. Fullers London Pride (London, UK – 4.1%)
   “From the cask, (preferably at the Flying Pig, 10 mins walk from my folks place in Cambridge.) Spent a lot of time in my younger years tracking down fresh pints of this, and the pub mentioned above never let us down. A great pint to loosen the jaw muscles.”
2. Green King Abbott Ale (Suffolk, UK – 5.0%)
   “From cask. In my younger days I joined Bassingbourn YFC. For club meets we were dragged to the Darby & Joan in Abington Piggots, where my early requests for lager and lime got shouted down and a pint of this thrust into my hand. And I’ve never looked back.”
3. Weihnstephaner Hefe (Germany – 5.4%)
   “My mum comes from Hall in the Austrian Tirol, and this is what I drink when ever I go there. Lovely hints of banana and cloves, I love it. My Three Piece Wheat is dedicated to this beer, my Austrian heritage and my mum.”
4. Pilsner Urquell (Pilsen, Czech – 4.4%)
   “In my humble opinion, a mega malty beer, (I’m no hop junkie) which is how I like my beers and this one is clean and crisp and steeped in history. A classic example of a style I can drink on any occasion.”
5. Rodenbach Grand Cru (Belgium – 6.0%)
   “I just love this stuff. Beautifully balanced and lusciously complex. Thanks to my mate Neil for introducing me to it!”

And which beer (of those selected) do you regard most highly?

“Rodenbach Grand Cru. I want and need to make a beer like this and aspire to do so. One day I’ll acquire the skills to make it happen. So many folk in the NZ brewing industry have been so good to me, it may end up being a collaborative brew.”

Cask London Pride, from Fuller Smith & Turner

The Meal

You can also take one meal to go with your beers, what would it be and why?

“My mums Champignion (mushroom) Schnitzel, mitt bratkartoflen (potatoes) washed down with a glass or two of Weihenstephaner. Culinary paradise.”

The Books

You might be waiting a long time on your lonesome on the desert island, so we will automatically allow you a few books to keep your mind busy. You can pick between two beer books and two tomes: ‘The Brewmaster’s Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food’ by Garrett Oliver, or ‘Beer’ by Michael Jackson; plus The Bible, or another appropriate religious or philosophical work

“The Michael Jackson one as I’ve never read anything of his! And the Bible for toilet paper, not for reading, but if that’s out then a ream of paper so I can write me own.”

And a non-beery, non-philosophical book, something a little less taxing on the brain, what would that be?

“Roald Dahls Cookbook.Wonderful food spiced with gems of wisdom on chocolate, wine and life at Gypsy House.”

The record

You have a CD/mp3/long player but you can only take one album. Choose wisely!

“The hardest decision yet. But any one of these would be fine thanks: Combat rock by The Clash, (Brilliantly talented band that burnt out too early.) ACDC, If You Want Blood. (I can feel the live energy of this performance through the speakers every time). Or Pink Floyd, Animals. (a record that makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck every time I hear it.) ”

The Luxury Item

And finally, what luxury item would help make your stay on the island bearable?

“Drum Kit. I’m really bad but love playing and there’d be no neighbours to annoy.”

New Zealand’s oldest pub, The Moutere Inn, showcases a beer list worth the round world flight including beers from Martin’s brewery, Moutere Brewing Co., Epic, and Yeastie Boys, amongst others. This article is syndicated at http://allgatesbrewery.com/allgates-brewery-blog/tag/desert-island-beers/