Summer SpecTAPular Report

Our third seasonal beerfest - or SpecTAPular III - was held on a perfect summer's day last Sunday in the middle of the Australia Day long weekend.... While everything went brilliantly, the choice of day was a bit of a mistake we won't make again next year! The city and St Kilda was much, much quieter than normal (down the beach/on holidays still?) and our initial theory that Australia Day eve would bring out the masses was a little off the mark!

Festivalgoer numbers were down on the first two festivals but it was a bloody fun day nevertheless. The theme for the beers was 'summer' styles and we had plenty of exclusives never been on tap in Victoria (or in the case of Knappstein Lager, Australia!) before. My personal faves were the Summer Frenzy Framboise (raspberry wheat beer) from Wig & Pen in Canberra and Murray's Pilsner from NSW. Knappstein was wonderful but didn't quite live up to my enormously high expectations (I'm going to give it another crack tonight though before the kegs run out). I also enjoyed Coldstream Pilsner and Brew Boys Maiden Ale among about 8 others. There was only really one miss in my view (and no, I'm not going to say it!)..

The entertainment was FANTASTIC with the famed Clip Clop Club and The Band Who Knew Too Much playing throughout the day and a couple of comedic acrobats did there thing. The idea of getting entertainment and performers to suit the theme of the SpecTAPular is definitely a winner..

All in all, everyone seemed to have a blast and it was great to see so many Locals/Ale Stars around. Many of the staff dressed up as something Aussie (Claudia won my Best Dressed vote for her Kylie Mole outfit!). Next year, however, the Summer SpecTAPular will take place in February and not on a long weekend!

Thanks to all the breweries for their help and support in getting the beers to us. SpecTAPular IV (Autumn 09) may take place on Anzac Day but watch this space for developments. It will also be the first SpecTAPular at the The Local Taphouse in Darlinghurst, Sydney!

A slideshow of photos will be posted as soon as Guy uploads them..

Hottest 100 Aussie Brews of 2008 - Results!

According the hundreds of people who voted from around Australia, the Hottest 100 Aussie Brews of 2008 were... (drumroll)...

1 Little Creatures Pale Ale

2 Murray's Icon 2IPA

3 Mountain Goat Hightail Ale

4 Knappstein Reserve Lager

5 Little Creatures Bright Ale

6 James Squire Golden Ale

7 Coopers Sparkling Ale

8 Coopers Pale Ale

9 Holgate Mt Macedon Pale Ale

10 James Squire Amber Ale

11 Jamieson 'The Beast' IPA

12 Murray's Nirvana Pale Ale

13 Holgate ESB

14 Hargreaves Hill ESB

15 Murray's Grand Cru

16 Nail Stout

17 Matilda Bay Alpha Pale Ale

18 Holgate Hopinator Double IPA, Red Hill Imperial Stout

20 Moo Brew Pale Ale

21 James Squire Pilsner

22 Bridge Road Chevalier Saison

23 Coopers Best Extra Stout

24 James Squire IPA

25 Nail Ale

26 Murray's Anniversary Ale

27 Feral White

28 Hargreaves Hill Pale, Holgate Pilsner

30 Holgate Chocolate Porter, Murray's Pilsner

32 Barons Black Wattle Ale

33 Matilda Bay RedBack Wheat Beer

34 Murray's Sassy Blonde

35 Murrays Best Extra Porter

36 Bluetongue Premium Lager, Mountain Goat Pale Ale, Temple Saison

39 Burleigh Brewing's Duke Pale Ale, Coopers Vintage Ale

41 Holgate Big Reg

42 Mountain Goat IPA

43 Matilda Bay Bohemian Pilzner, Murray's 'Wild Thing' Imperial Stout, Red Hill Scotch Ale, Red Hill Weizenbock, Redoak Baltic Porter

48 Bright Brewery Staircase Porter

49 2 Brothers Growler, Red Hill Bohemian Pilsner

51 Bridge Road Brewers Bling IPA

52 Bright Brewery Fainters Double

53 Colonial IPA, Pepperjack Ale

55 Gage Roads IPA

56 Red Hill Hop Harvest

57 Little Creatures Rogers

58 Matilda Bay Rooftop Red, Temple Pale Ale

60 3 Ravens Black, Bright Brewery Razor Witbier

62 Burleigh Brewing's Duke Hefeweizen, James Squire Porter, Mountain Goat Fancy Pants, Mountain Goat Surefoot Stout

66 James Boags Premium

67 3 Ravens Dark, Holgate White Ale

69 Grand Ridge Gippsland Gold, Moo Brew Dark

71 3 Ravens Blonde

72 Feral Hop Hog IPA, Mildura Brewery Storm Ale, Steam Exchange IPA

75 Jamieson Son of a Beast DIPA, Northern Rivers Stout

77 3 Ravens 55 American Pale Ale, Grand Ridge Moonshine, Holgate Double Trouble

80 Bridge Road Brewers Pale Ale, Southwark Stout

82 Bridge Road Chevalier Biere de Garde, Bright Brewery Blowhard Pale, Little Creatures Pilsner, Redoak Rauchbier Märzen

86 Barons ESB, Bright Brewery Hellfire, New Norcia Abbey Ale, Redoak ESB, Snowy Mountains Crackenback Pale Ale

91 Coopers Dark Ale Crown Lager, Feral Razorback, Hahn Premium, Temple Special Bitter

96 Red Duck Pale Ale

97 Hunter Smoked APA, Red Angus Pilsener

99 Red Hill Christmas Ale, Tooheys Old

Photos from Tuesday's Ale Star session

Here's the slide show from Tuesday's Ale Star session..

Next Ale Star session on Summer Pale Ales

The next Ale Star session will be about summer pale ales and take place on Tuesday Feb 17th. The new additions of Beer Trivia, Show & Tell and the Tech Bell will be back and we hope to have a special guest organised. This could be the last session before the Ale Star roadtrip to the Yarra Valley (subject to when White Rabbit opens)..

You can now prebook at the top of this blog..

Hottest 100 beers to be announced at Summer SpecTAPular this Sunday

The forecast (at this stage!) is for a sunny day of 30 degrees for the Summer SpecTAPular this coming Sunday. The kegs have all rolled in and we'll be ready to kick things off at noon.

We've also tallied the hundreds of votes in our ''Hottest 100 Aussie Brews'' 2008 poll and it's been great to see so many craft beers get a guernsey! We'll announce the Top Ten (and the order of all 100) on the day. Remember, we will randomly pick out a voter and if you're in the venue at the time, you'll win a case of each of the top 10 beers (subject to availability). If you're not around, you'll win the top 5 anyway!

Ale Stars pale lagers session best yet

Here is Prof Pilsner's own blog report (Beer Blokes) on Tuesday's session on pale lagers. Photos to follow shortly.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Last night’s Ale Stars session was a memorable one for many reasons. A made-to-order balmy summer’s night in Melbourne meant that a beer was just the thing and pale lagers were the perfect complement to the weather. In addition, by far the largest Ale Stars crew had assembled and included a good handful of first timers. It was also the launch of the revamped Ale Stars.

A couple of additions to the new-look format included a ‘Comments & Queries’ opportunity and a Beer Trivia quiz held in three parts over the night. Perhaps the most highly anticipated and eagerly awaited was the new ‘Show & Tell’ segment where an Ale Star would take to the floor for a brief beer related presentation. This bit turned out to be the highlight of the night – possibly of the whole Ale Stars experience! Ever!! More later.

We began with a brisk walk through the history of pale lagers with Shandy entertaining and informing the hushed crowd who hung on his every word. They may have just been leaning forward in an attempt to understand his accent – not sure. The Tech-Foul bell was back – this time a real, actual bell, in case anyone got too ‘beer nerdy’ or poindexter-y during the night.

Beginning with the birth of the Pilsner the history lesson finished with a sampling of Pilsner Urquell. This was followed by a Hoffbrau Munich Helles, a slightly less boisterous version which may have been better received had it been the starter beer. Having said that, no one sent one back!

The Helles was also announced as the prize for the beer trivia competition and this incentive was welcomed by the teams. Who’da thought, ey? Beer as a prize for a beer trivia comp at a beer night in Melbourne’s best beer bar. There ya go. I’ll post Shandy’s questions in a coming post and you can see how you do. To handicap ourselves, our team made sure that we had all had a few sneaky upstairs beers beforehand. You might want to do the same.

Emerson Pilsner was next up and a fine example of a pilsner it is. Crisp and clean with interest and bitterness all wrapped up in a well balanced package. In all, the beers were travelling nicely, there was plenty of discussion in regards to the trivia questions – and Shandy’s questionable spelling – but more entertainment was in store.

The first instalment of ‘Show & Tell’ was something of a trial run for future Ale Stars to see what was required to present an entertaining short beer related piece. Remembering that ‘beer nerdy or techy’ is out, the pressure was on the first volunteer. And I have to say he handled it admirably, despite concerted heckling from the host. A cracking tale of youthful exuberance, creative construction and the drinking of a shit load of pretty average beer was re-told humorously and had the crowd captivated and, quite honestly, I think we were all a little disappointed that the story had to be so brief so that the night could continue. If I can get his permission I will re-tell the piece in a future post. I reckon he’ll say yes.

Anyhoo, back to the beers. We finished with a Bridge Road Chestnut Lager and, in the same vein as my previous post ‘Where’s the Love?’, this beer shines. The use of locally grown chestnuts, harvested by family and friends, lifts this beer above the ordinary in both its taste and its philosophy. A great finishing beer to a great night. Oh, and if anyone knows, could you please tell me what chestnuts are grown in? And I don’t mean ‘trees’, smartarses, I mean, like orchard, grove, glen ... whatever. Ronan wants to know. Thanks.

And I can’t remember which team won the trivia comp, afterall, the score isn’t important, it’s all about fun and beer and learning something new, isn’t it? I'm sure the winners would not want their magnificent achievement trumpeted for all to hear! Anyway, our team certainly enjoyed the second round of Hoffbraus ...
mmmm, Beeeeer!! Even better when it's free!!

And one last observation. I think the night may need to be extended in future as a new trend is beginning to emerge. Chris and I have been arriving early ... well, earlier and earlier ... and I’ve noticed other regular Ale Stars also meeting pre-meeting for some Sneaky Upstairs Beers!

Cheers,Prof. Pilsner

P.S. I said that it would be OK for me to re-print my Show & Tell. Thanks, Prof. No worries.

Sydney opening close

I'm afraid to set an exact date but mid Feb (give or take) is shaping up as the opening of The Local Taphouse in Darlinghurst, Sydney.. The initial beers are selected and staff are being employed...

I can't wait. Bring it on.. and tell your Sydneysider friends.

The Local Taphouse now on Facebook

After determinedly trying to swim against the tide, we now have a Facebook page. I'm not quite sure how it works but why not join up by searching for The Local Taphouse group in Facebook and becoming a member?

For those already with a Facebook profile, I think this will link you to the group.

Final lineup for Summer SpecTAPular

Finally, here's the lineup for Sunday week:

VICTORIA
1 Growler - Brown Ale (2 Brothers Brewery)
2 Beechworth Aussie Ale (Bridge Road Brewery)
3 Coldstream Pilsner
4 Matilda Bay Alpha Pale Ale (APA)
5 Mountain Goat Hefeweizen*
6 Prickly Moses Summer Ale (Otway Estate)
7 Red Hill Belgian Blonde

ACT
8 Wig & Pen Framboise*

NEW SOUTH WALES
8 Wicked Elf Witbier (The Little Brewing Co)
9 Sundown Lager (Malt Shovel)*
10 Murray's Pilsner (Murray’s Brewing Co)*

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
11 Maiden Ale - Amber Ale (Brewboys)*
12 Coopers Original Pale Ale
13 Knappstein Reserve Lager**

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
15 Colonial Kölsch
16 Feral Wit
17 Jarrah Jacks Hefeweizen*
18 Little Creatures Bright Ale
19 Nail Ale (Nail Brewing)*

TASMANIA
20 Moo Brew Hefeweizen

* First time on tap in Victoria
** First time on tap in Australia (outside of the brewery)

Feral Razorback Barleywine coming

Due to age nicely in our Melbourne and Sydney kegrooms until we're ready to unleash it (when the weather cools down) will soon be kegs of the Feral's Razorback English Barleywine. Here's what The West Australian newspaper had to say about it:

"It’s so special that it will surprise many – not least because the dark-ruby draught beer is a barley “wine” served in a wine goblet. Don’t be frightened by the wine-strength 11 per cent alcohol, because this smooth sipping beer is so delightfully flavoursome – apricot, caramel, chocolate, tangerine hints - and smooth that it drinks easily. The alcohol content becomes nothing more than a support for the stacks of taste; there’s no spirity kick to interfere with the sheer contentment that comes with each mouthful."

Ale Stars - 1st call and lineup

Shandy and I spent a few hours (and a few beers) last night chatting about all things Ale Stars.

Some ideas we came up with were more beer(!), Show & Tell, Beer Trivia, Road Trip, Annual Membership, Members photo on website etc. We welcome any other ideas you lot may have!

The lineup for the next session on great pale lagers is:

1. Pilsner Urquell
2. Emerson Pilsner
3. Hofbrau Helles (on tap)
4. Bridge Road Chestnut lager

You must pre-book at the top of our blog.

Summer SpecTAPular in about 3 weeks - initial lineup

The Summer SpecTAPular is a little over 3 weeks away and will showcase 20 summer style tap beers brewed in Australia. In keeping with the Australia Day theme, there will also be Aussie entertainment and food.

Here's the list of confirmed beers so far:

1. Knappstein Reserve Lager (an Australian exclusive!) - SA
2. Moo Brew Hefeweizen (TAS)
3. Wig & Pen Framboise (ACT)
4. Feral Witbier (WA)
5. Bridge Road Aussie Ale (VIC)
6. Colonial Kolsch (WA)
7. Sundowner Lager (NSW)
8. Brew Boys Maiden Ale (SA)
9. Wicked Elf Witbier (NSW)
10. Murray's Pilsner (NSW)
11. Red Hill Belgian Blonde (VIC)
12. Mountain Goat Summer Ale (VIC)
13. Matilda Bay Alpha American Pale Ale (VIC)
14. Redoak Biere Blanche (NSW)
15. MT Brewery's The Blonde Witch - Belgian pale/blonde ale (QLD)