Star Spangled SpecTAPular - US beers finally set sail

Star Spangled SpecTAPular...

American & BIG Beer Beerfest is coming to The Local Taphouse

I'm thrilled (and somewhat relieved) to announce the beers we're importing from the US for our next seasonal beerfest have finally set sail! Short of a run in with Somali pirates somewhere off the coast, the kegs should arrive in late June. I'm seriously hoping there are no hiccups!!!

We're importing 8 different styles in total and will be making around 5 (or more?) of them available on July 4th (Independence Day) both in Melbourne and Sydney. These are truly awesome beers and it will be the first time they're ever on tap anywhere in Australia. I'm talking big beers, bigger than Superbowl, World Series Baseball, Arnie's cigar and a Chuck Norris roundhouse kick to the head all at the same time!

To complement them we've invited Aussie brewers to showcase some of their American, BIG and different beer styles as well. We're talking lots of sensational Aussie brews. I'm salivating just thinking about them all. I've secured most of the beers and I'll confirm the line up soon.

There'll be great American style entertainment on the day, traditional American food and the whole day is going to be an absolute ripper. The beers are sure to run out quicker than the funds of an American investment bank. I'm pretty damn excited.

I was thinking of calling it the "Yes we can" SpecTAPular but the boys (JJ, James and Ben) were pretty keen on Star Spangled and it does kinda have a ring to it.

So be there, or incur the wrath of Uncle Sam...

And, probably more importantly, the guy who can slam revolving doors...

Chuck Norris

Darlo Ale Stars, June 2nd. Final lineup confirmed...

This month the Darlo Ale Stars' beer style is Porter. The following lineup has just been confirmed:

1. Meantime London Porter

2. Emerson's London Porter

3. Samuel Smith's The Famous Taddy Porter

4. Murrays Best Extra Porter.

These, in my humble opionion, are cracking examples of this fine style. So come and join A.G. and the crew for a sip a bite and a chat about all things Porter.

Remember to book via Paypal button - top right of this blog.

All welcome. See you there...

An amazing evening of Beer & Food with the Beer Diva

I'm really excited to announce that we've finally locked in this coming Wednesday 27th May for our first Beer & Food night with the Beer Diva at our Sydney venue!

The Beer Diva will be taking us through 8 brilliant beers and 5 delicious dishes in a fun, relaxed and informative session all for $60 per person.

This is what Bill Taylor, brewer and author of Beer & Food - A Celebration of Flavours, says about the Beer Diva:

"I have hosted and attended more than a few beer dinners over the years but never one like this. The Beer Diva has style and a fresh approach that will knock your hops off!"

There are still places left for this event so get in quick. Advanced bookings are essential via Payal on the right hand side of this blog.

The Beer Diva will be kicking things off at 7pm so get here a little early and enjoy a beer in our upstairs bar.

Melbournians don't despair! The Beer Diva will be coming to Melbourne as well soon.

Ale Stars St Kilda - Strong, vintage and old ales.

St Kilda's Ales Stars got together on a cold autumn night to have the beelly's warmed by strong, vintage and old ales.

Click here for how the prof saw the night unfold.

Final line up: Melbourne Ale Stars - Tuesday, 19th May

Ale Stars in Melbourne this month looks at vintage, old and strong ales.

And check this out for a line up:

1. Feral Razorback
2. Emersons Old 95
3. Greene King Strong Suffolk Vintage Ale
4. Rogue Imperial Red Ale

There are some pretty serious beers among this lot so leave the car at home and enjoy. See you there.

Twitter Beer Nuts - Get in Quick!

As some of you may know, we're currently serving Red Hill's Hop Harvest in St Kilda.

Karen Golding (being a bit of a self confessed Tweeterholic) has arranged for a bit of a prize for the first person to say the magic word when ordering. So if you say:

"Hoporific"

when you order a drop of the magic stuff, you'll get your (regular size) beer for free. You'll also get a Red Hill goblet gift.

The only catch is that there's only one to be won so get in quick!

May Brewery Showcase - Feral Brewing

Our May brewery showcase - Feral Brewing - has hit the taps in both Darlinghurst and St Kilda.

For those not familiar, Feral Brewing has been quietly making a name for itself over in Swan Valley, WA, (just outside of Perth), as a brewery of great Australian beers.

Well they were quietly making a name for themselves until the AIBA earlier this year where they were well and truly recognised for being right at the top of the pile when it comes to Australian craft breweries.

They took out 5 major gongs including Champion Small Brewery. All this at the second biggest beer competition in the world means things have got a little hectic around the brewery trying to keep up with demand.

Over the course of the month we will be pouring the Hop Hog IPA (2009 AIBA Champion Ale), Feral White which is a Belgian Witbier (2009 AIBA Champion Hybrid Beer), Feral Pils and Boris Imperial Stout - possiby the biggest beer I have tasted this year at 11.5%.

And in St Kilda only - Feral Razorback (2009 AIBA Champion Scotch Ale/Barley Wine) - the second biggest beer I have tasted this year at 11%! This would have been on in Darlinghurst this month but we kind of accidentally tapped it the week we opened up there so it has been and gone. Sorry to those who missed it. I suggest you jump in the car and pop down the Hume Highway and try it in St Kilda as it is something special.

Enjoy...

Come in South Africa: Steve samples Umqombothi

For those who don't know, I've left Guy, Justin and Paul (new Darlo Venue Manager) to head off overseas with my wife Kel for one last hurrah before children cramp our style! I've switched off my phone and rarely check my emails but I do plan to post an occasional blog entry if I do anything of interest beer-wise.

First stop is South Africa and I'm sending this from the picturesque winery town of Franschhoek, about an hours drive from Cape Town. While in Cape Town, however, I was lucky enough to visit some of the shanty towns (or townships) close to the city. Quite an experience but one suitably completed with a shared beer with some locals in a smoky shabeen (see photo). A simply incredible experience.

The beer, called Umqombothi from the Xhosa language, is a beer made from maize (corn), maize malt, sorghum malt, yeast and water. The beer has a heavy and distinctly sour aroma. The beer does not have a very high alcohol content, usually less than 3%. In appearance, the beer is opaque and light tan in colour. It has a thick, creamy and gritty consistency (from the maize). Kel even tried some and liked it (a big deal for a traditional non-beer lover). Maybe this is something we should brew for the Local Ladies??!

I've learnt much about this beer here if you want to learn more too..

Prof's Wrap Up of St Kilda Ale Star session

We've posted this a little later than normal but here's another cracker of a report from Ale Star Prof. Pilsner about the recent Ale Star session in St Kilda which just happened to be the biggest yet.. I reckon this is your best yet Prof!

Check out the Prof's blog (and subscribe) here.

Darlo Ale Stars - German Wheat Ales

Our second Ale Stars in Darlo last night looked at German Wheat ales and covered some classics. Schofferhofer Kristal, Weihenstephaner Hefe Wiessbier, Weihenstaphaner Dunkel and Schneider and Son Aventinus were the beers on offer.

Opinion was divided but the Weihenstephaner Dunkel took out the most popular drop on the night, followed very closely by the Schneider Aventinus.

The trivia was a tough one but team Lucitania took it out and are now undefeated after two Ale Stars sessions.

Another great night was had by all and a huge thanks to A.G. for preparing the tasting notes and talking us through the delicious brews.

The next Darlo Ale Stars will be on June 2nd with a beer style TBC. Stay tuned...

Last Call for Tonight's Ale Stars

Just a quick reminder that tonight is the 2nd Darlo Ale Stars.

After the huge turn out at last month's session, this month AG will be taking us through some Wheat Ale styles. There'll be pizza, great conversation and sensational beer! What more could you need on an Autumn Tuesday evening? Session starts at 7 pm sharp. Book via PayPal on the right hand side of this blog.

Ale Star Session Slideshow (St Kilda)

Prof kindly took some photos of last Tuesday's Ale Star session in St Kilda. It turned out to be the biggest yet, probably due to the Special Guest, Brad Rogers, Head Brewer at Stone & Wood (Byron Bay).

I don't have time to write much now but it was an awesome night. See the slideshow here.