New Zealand beers hop over to Shanghai

We understand it's kind of sad, but we have to admit to getting a little excited when we learn of new foreign beers arriving on the Shanghai market. So we read with curious interest these two stories about two New Zealand beers that have washed up on our shores. The brewery is DB Breweries, a big outfit that owns the likes of Heineken and Amstel. The beers they are sending to Shanghai are Tui and Monteith's Original Ale. Here are the commercial descriptions for the two beers:

• Tui: Brewed since 1889, Tui typifies typical kiwi humour. An East India Pale Ale, Tui is equally renowned as a great tasting, 4% alcohol session beer with a strong but smooth taste. Tui's loyal following among mates is thanks to quality brewing and hard-case advertising such as the hugely successful 'Yeah Right' campaign and supporting television commercials. A proud supporter of rugby, Tui is the beer brand behind Wairarapa Bush, Taranaki and Hawkes Bay rugby as well as the Auckland Blues, Crusaders and Wellington Hurricanes.
• Monteith's Original Ale: Monteith's richly hopped Original Ale delivers a full, round and complete beer flavour. It’s the hops that dominate aroma and taste. However, on closer inspection, there’s a subtle blackberry aroma which originates from the female flowers of the Pacific Gem Hops.

OK. But what do they really taste like? The people over at RateBeer.com give Tui a 2.19 our of 5, putting it in the 10th percentile. Monteith's gets a 2.73 out of 5, and sits at the 25th percentile. For comparison, Coopers Original Pale Ale scores a 2.79 and Coopers Sparkling Ale gets a 3.18. Samuel Adams Boston Lager also gets a 3.18.

Both stories say the Kiwi beers came to Shanghai after a promising showing at a promotion of New Zealand products at Parksons in the city. Supposedly the beers have been available in "two bars" in the city and increased demand prompted a recent order of 600 cases. Neither story, regrettably, mentions which two bars carry the beers. But before you get too excited about these new options on the market, read this quote from the brewer's business development manager:

"Realistically, I think it's going to be fairly niche because we're a premium product. Price is going to be high, so you're really only targeting the consumers who can afford it."

So maybe we'll be sticking with 11.5 kuai Sam Adams from the supermarket.

Does anyone know where we can find Tui or Monteith's in the city? Has anyone tasted either beer? Let us know.