Found the Occasion to Sample Crown Ambassador Reserve

I forgot to mention that on Saturday I broke bread with John (from Cookie), Roxy and Andrew (from Transport), David (distributor of Meantime) and his wife Megan.

Cutting a long story short, we eventually cracked open the box and then the waxed bottle (seriously, this beer would be half the price without this much wank) of Crown Ambassador Reserve (9.2% ABV), a Euro Strong Lager which surprised all of us. Thankfully, it bears no resemblance to its namesake 'premium' lager. It looked good (amber/burnt orange with a solid head that laced nicely), smelt good and tasted great. It was full bodied, caramelly (but not too sweet) and with a spicy fruitiness (I guess from the Galaxy hops they 'hand picked'!). I'll definitely set aside at least one bottle for tasting in 12 months time as I think this could age well.

If you see one, indulge.

News article on Luxury Beers

Interesting article I found in The Australian about luxury beers such as Crown Ambassador Reserve Lager and Bridge Road's Chevalier range..

Tangerine Lineup for next Tuesday

Tangerine comes around again next Tuesday. Here's Colette's blurb from the Facebook site:

Mid winter, we sometimes wonder if the cold will ever cease… therefore all the more reason to come inside out of the cold and watch great films!

August brings us a fantastic mix of work that is hard hitting with a message (GunCrime), romantic (Nicolas Randell) ,animated (James Coperman) to work that just makes you giggle and feel good…

Both Sydney and Melbourne have work featured this month along side London and France. Looking forward to seeing you August 5th.

August 5 2008
Director Contributions…

‘White lines’
Director: Craig MacLean
Format: Short Film
Company: The Guild
City: Melbourne
Length: 7 minutes

‘Gun Crime’
Director: Sean De Sparengo
Format: anti gun crime promo
Company: Coy!
City: London
Length: 2 minutes

‘Ghosts’
Director: James Coperman
Format: Music Promo Laura Marling
Company: RSA FILMS
City: London
Length: 4 minutes

‘All he needs’
Director: Nicolas Randall
Format: Short Film
Company: Independent films
City: Sydney
Length: 4 minute

‘Largo’
Director: Aaron F
Format: Music Promo
Company: Milly Films
City: Brussels
Length: 4 minute

Paul Kelly and Rooftop Red Lager

Quirky fact: The name “Rooftop” from Rooftop Red comes from Paul Kelly's song ‘From a 727’ where he sings about looking over the red roofs of the city from a plane. Well, funnily enough Paul Kelly was in the other night with mates drinking the very beer inspired by his song.

Next Ale Stars 'Session' on Stouts - August 19 - Book Now

As per earlier post, the first Ale Stars session was great fun. The next session will be on Tuesday August 19th (after Shandy's back from Scotland) and feature 4 great stouts matched with four tapas plates. These Ale Star sessions are turning out to be a social beer event open to all and numbers could grow quickly.

The ONLY way to secure your place is to prebook and prepay using your Visa or Mastercard via our Paypal system. Enter your details at the top of the right column on this blog.

New Matilda Bay beer tasting

JJ, James and I were invited this afternoon to Lamaro's in South Melbourne to taste Matilda Bay's newest beer (which still remains nameless), an APA which I first tasted direct from the fermenting tank in Dandenong a couple of months ago when we paid them a visit. It's been described as a scaled down, sessionable version of the award-winning Alpha Pale Ale but what I tried today tasted much better than the earlier version.

This beer had been kegged today (I think) at the brewery so it was FRESH. It had been dry hopped and hop flakes were still present (they will ultimately filter the beer). The citrusy Cascade hops were fantastic on the nose (apparently there is a small amount of Nelson Sauvin hops from NZ included as well) and the beer packed a fairly assertive and flavourful hop punch. It was nicely balanced thought and didn't have the unpleasant metallic aftertaste which put me off the earlier version. It was also pretty sessionable (I had five!) and is less than 5% ABV.

The beer should be out in October and should do well.

Tapped: Moo Brew Dark Ale

Moo Brew Dark Ale has just replaced Mash Black on tap. We're one of only two mainland venues to have Moo Brew on tap (the other being the Wheatsheaf in Adelaide) so don't miss an opportunity to try this North American Brown Ale from the tap.

Coming up next is Mountain Goat's one-off Fancy Pants Amber Ale.

Article on Serving Beer Too Bloody Cold

Thanks to Katja, here's a light-hearted article that appeared in The Australian about Australia's obsession with cold beer and why..

Speaking of which, it reminds of a clip I'd seen about how to freeze beer in just a few seconds. Here it is:


Freeze A Beer In Two Seconds - The most amazing bloopers are here

Octoberfest SpecTAPular Locked In

Our second seasonal beerfest is the "Octoberfest SpecTAPular - Spring 08" and is locked in for Saturday October 4th from midday until 1am. We have ordered kegs in 10 different German styles from Germany including wheat, bock, kolsch, Octoberfest, Dortmunders and alt beers.

We'll then have up to 10 Australian-brewed interpretations of German styles on tap as well. Entertainment will supplied by the famous Cuckoo restaurant's Oompah Band including cow bell ringers, slap dancers and yodellers!

This time we won't charge on the door (so non-beer drinkers don't have to buy beer tasters) but we will sell individual tasters at the bar as well as 10 sampler booklets (the best value). We will also produce an informative tasting booklet similar to the first SpecTAPular..

It promises to be a big day so we've started counting the days!

Last EVER keg of Matilda Bay Barking Duck Saison tapped

We've just tapped the last EVER keg of Matilda Bay Barking Duck Saison as they've decided to discontinue it (not sure why). The new beers from MB are a scaled down Alpha American Pale Ale (they haven't finalised the name yet but I'm tasting the latest batch on Monday) and a dunkelweizen called Sebastian (named after one of the brewer's pet duck I believe).

Not sure whether I'll get another Saison on tap (if so, it'll be Bridge Road's version) or a different style. Post your suggestions!

The Local Taphouse is opening in Sydney!

Hot off the press is the exciting news we're opening our first Taphouse in Sydney. Hopefully we'll be open before Christmas but there's lots of work to do! It'll be in the inner eastern area of Surry Hills/Darlinghurst/Paddington.

More news soon...

A man allegedly kills a neighbour in a fight about beer

In South Africa, a man has been charged with murdering his neighbour over beer. I hope it was a GOOD beer.. More here.

Holgate Extreme Range launched at Cookie NEXT Thursday night

I'm not sure I can make it but Holgate is launching its extreme beer range at Cookie next Thursday (thx Brendan! I might be able to make it now.) from 4:30pm on... The beers are a Chocolate Porter, Hopinator (Double IPA) and Double Trouble (Abbey Ale). See their website for more.

1st Ale Stars Meeting & Stuff

Last night was the first meeting of the Ale Stars - our beer club. The night focussed on Porters and four were showcased with Shandy leading the discussion with his tasting notes and history lesson! The food matches were very good I thought (thanks Ty) and it was heaps of fun sitting around and chatting about beers. It would be fantastic if the Ale Stars group continues to grow like this. Next month's meeting is all about Stouts.

Thanks again to Cloudwine for their ongoing support and Shandy for all his efforts.

Very unexpectedly we've been listed as a finalist as Best Speciality Beer Venue in the Australian Bar Awards alongside the likes of Cookie (winners last year), Redoak, Belgian Beer Cafe Sydney, The Whitsheaf and the Bavarian Bier Cafe. After just a few months of being opening, we're obviously very pleased to be in such great company.

Budget Beer Soon to be $4 a Pot

I saw this article in the Herald Sun tonight. The fact that the mainstream basic beers are approaching $4 a pot I glossed over but the really interesting piece was the following:

Costly premium imports are selling three times more than mainstream beer.

Industry figures reveal sales of the more expensive exotic brands grew 18 per cent in the past year, compared with an increase of 5 per cent in sales of mainstream local beers.

I'd like to think it's not just "exotic" brands but BETTER beer which is growing market share. Sure, some people are buying premium beers cause of the marketing crap but I also am CONVINCED more and more people are seeing that beer can offer so much more than the budget range. Hallelujah!

Incidentally, I drank the Moo Brew Imperial Stout tonight. Man, that's good stuff. I really would have liked to try the oak aged batch but the stuff I had tonight was brilliant.

Mountain Goat's Fancy Pants

From Mountain Goat's website:

We’ve just kegged off a one off specialty batch and we’re all a bit pumped on it. It’s an amber ale that we’ve used Galaxy hop flowers in and then dry hopped it too. It’s 5.4% alc and called Fancy Pants Amber Ale.

And guess what? Two kegs are en route to us! I'll send out SMS Beer Bulletin when we tap one.

Passionberry Porter - Next in Line for Barons?

This is a photo of a friend (Jeff) and I at a Barons Squadron function last week in Sydney being guinea pigs for Baron Brewing's possible new beers. I have to stress that I am married and Jeff is just a friend and not a "friend" (as the photo might suggest to some, being in Sydney and all). Ha ha!

Barons Brewer, Richard Adamson, told me he brewed the beers in his kitchen at home. One was a rye beer (I forgot the name) and the other was a Passionberry Porter made with some kind of bush fruit (in line with their native beer range). It was my fave of the two and apparently most thought the same. Time will tell whether they now officially release it.

And SpecTAPular Photo Slideshow

And here's a whole heap of photos in a slideshow from the 1st Beer SpecTAPular.

James Squire Dinner Photos

I've finally got to grips with my Flickr website! Now, you can see the rest of the James Squire dinner photos on July 9th. Click here for a slideshow.

The World's Biggest Beer Company

Big news in the world of big breweries this morning with InBev succeeding in its $52 billion bid for Anheuser-Busch.

Read this report in the Economist.

World's best brewery tours

While I've been lucky to have propped up some of the world's great beer bars (in the name of research) and will drink at many more in the years ahead, I'd like to visit more of the the world's great breweries and taste beer at the source (for yet more research).

I remember reading an article by Willie Simpon about his visits to great breweries in Europe. Today, I found this article from Forbes magazine on the web and it'd make a great starting point. Maybe I could knock a few off the list when I'm overseas next year!

God It's Cold!

It is SO cold tonight in Melbourne and consequently quieter than normal around town.

This week has been a pretty frenetic week both at the bar and away. I've been doing some research into ageing beers in cellars as I intend setting up something similar in the bar. I'll be in Europe and the States again early next year (hopefully) to do more research, attend a fest or two and and complete a beer course but I also plan on finding out as much as possible about cellaring of beer for long periods.

The next SpecTAPular is also coming along nicely after a few meetings this week. I won't give away too much now but it will have a German theme and is slated for a Saturday this time (October 4th) so most people won't have work the next day..

Walking and Beer

A recent study found the average American walks about 900 miles a year. Another study found Americans drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year. That means, on average, Americans get about 41 miles to the gallon.

Well, I thought it was funny!

James Squire Night a Success

Chuck Hahn (left) is introduced by JJ.

On Wednesday, we hosted Australia's best known brewer, Chuck Hahn. Chuck entertained a great crowd of beer fans who sampled James Squire and Knappstein beers which were matched with great food. Thanks to Chuck and James Squire for their support.

The next beer event is likely to feature another Australian brewing legend. Watch this space!

First 'Ale Stars' beer club meeting on July 22

The first Ale Stars beer club meeting will be held on Tuesday July 22nd at 7pm (for 7.30pm start)! We'll be focusing on learning about and sampling porters, a great wintery beer. It promises to be a great social occasion and all are welcome. The list of beers is likely to be:

1. Samuel Smith Famous Taddy Porter
2. Bright Brewery Staircase Porter
3. Red Duck Queen Bee Honey Porter
4. Meantime Coffee Porter

The night features the four beers above and four tapas plates (matched to the beer) and costs only $25. To register your interest, simply text 'Ale Stars meeting' to 0447-LOCALS (0447 562 257).

All Hail the Ale!

As usual, thanks to Cloudwine, THE place to go in Melbourne for great take away beers.

Tapped - New Showcase Beers

We continue to run down the leftover SpecTAPular kegs. Here's the latest:

Holgate ESB replaced by 3 Ravens USB, Mash Black replaced by Coopers Dark, Rooftop replaced by Pemberton, Paddys Rye replaced by Pepperjack, Zierholz Porter replaced by Migration Ale

Pub refuses to serve 'drink-driving' wheelchair man

Bar staff refused to serve disabled Lee Cook a third bottle of beer - saying he'd be over the limit and would not be able to use his electric wheelchair. Read more here.

First Pictures of Little Creatures Dining Hall

Here are some photos I found on a Flickr site of the new Little Creatures Dining Hall.

International Brewers Day

On reading a Beer Advocate forum post this afternoon, I learnt of a new, fun initiative called International Brewers Day each July 18. Beer & Brewer Magazine and The Queensland and Border Brewers Group are holding their own celebration of beer at The Grand Central Hotel in Brisbane. I wish it were this weekend as it's still raining on the Sunshine Coast (where I'm supposedly holidaying) and a beer trip down to Brisbane would be mightily attractive.

Maybe we'll try and do something special on that day as well.

SpecTAPular Photos

I'll soon have a link to our Flickr site with loads of photos from our first SpecTAPular beerfest but here's a few to whet the appetite. A couple of them are courtesy of the Australian Homebrewing Conference website. We might even post a video if we can figure out how!

80 Different Beers on Tap

No, it's not another SpecTAPular idea (although I could be up for that) but EIGHTY is the number of different beers we've had on tap since we opened on Feb 7th. We must do something special for the first 100th different beer we tap. I must put my thinking cap on... Any ideas welcome.

Few Spaces Left for James Squire Night with Brewing Legend

I screwed up when I sent out a SMS Beer Bulletin saying the James Squire night with Chuck Hahn was on July 19th when it is, in fact, next Wednesday July 9th! There are still spots left for this night with Australia's pre-eminent brewer and for just $35 you get tapas plates matched with James Squire and Knappstein beer as well as to hear Chuck's tales..

If you're interested (and individuals not in groups are welcome), text ‘beer dinner’ to 0447-LOCALS (0447 562 257) ASAP and we'll contact you.

Little Creatures Dining Hall Opens

I heard yesterday that the Little Creatures Dining Hall has now opened in Brunswick Street. I'm in Queensland at the moment so I'll reluctantly have to wait another week or so to check it out!

From what I heard before it opened, I reckon it's going to be way cool and way busy although I understand that some nearby pubs/bars have taken LC off their stocklist as a protest to LC setting up an operation in their backyard. Whatever spin LC put on it, I do think it could have some impact on nearby businesses that may have supported them in the past. Hopefully I'm wrong and everyone (and better beer) wins.

If you've been there and have any comments, please post your comments here.