Dunedin music was toasted in unique fashion yesterday.
Emerson's Brewery released its brewer's reserve Bird Dog Pale Ale, in honour of the Verlaines' 1987 album Bird Dog.
It was the final release in a series of reserve brews honouring Flying Nun Records and the 1980s bands which established what became known as "the Dunedin Sound".
The brew was launched yesterday at Castle Macadam, which is co-owned by Verlaines drummer Darren Stedman.
"With our brewer's reserve, we wanted to focus on what's special and unique about Dunedin and the 1980s Dunedin bands and Flying Nun Records fitted in perfectly with that," Emerson's Brewery production manager Chris O'Leary said yesterday.
The Verlaines were formed in 1981 and continue to tour and record. The band released its 10th album, Corporate Moronic, in 2009 and recently finished recording two new albums at University of Otago's Albany St studio.
Verlaines singer-songwriter and Otago University music lecturer Graeme Downes said he was delighted the brewery had commemorated the 24-year-old Bird Dog album.
"It's very cool. It took a long time to make a record back then. The only pressing plant was in Petone and you had to stand in line behind Kamahl's Christmas," Dr Downes said.
"It's really nice that the album's available again, now that Roger [Shepherd] has bought back Flying Nun."
Other Emerson's brewer's reserve Flying Nun series beers have commemorated Rolling Moon, by The Chills, and Tally Ho!, by The Clean.
• Otago Daily Times beer columnist Ric Oram reports Bird Dog Pale Ale has "plenty of bitterness and a spicy aroma".
