Champion Homebrewer's 'Alt Spice' Tapped!!

Ross Mitchell brewing his champion 'Alt Spice' at Mountain Goat

In October last year the first Australian National Homebrewers Conference (ANHC) was held at Ormond Hall in Melbourne. Those of you that attended will remember that it was a hugely successful conference that culminated in an awards dinner on the final night.

Steve and I were lucky enough to attend the dinner (along with Shandy and Ronin). The Local Taphouse organised for the winner of the Champion Homebrewer of the year to brew his award winning drop at the Mountain Goat brewery in Richmond.

The winner was Ross Mitchell and his winning brew was a Spiced Ale.

Steve, Ross Mitchell and I at last year's ANHC Award Dinner

Well after much planning, lots of brewing (and I'm sure plenty of sampling along the way) the beer is finally here! It's just been tapped at both venues, and it's delicious!! It'll be on tap until it runs out so hurry in to try some.

The 'Alt Spice' is spiced with 4 different spices including Vanilla, Nutmeg, Ginger and a healthy amount of Star Anise which is probably the most pronounced of the spices. This beer is great because it's so different to everything else out there. It's not overwhelmingly spiced but instead is well balanced with the use Maris Otter and a little Chocolate malt to give it a full-bodied mouthfeel as well as a great roundness and finish. It's subtelly hopped with Perle hops, just enough to give a nice hint of bitterness. I think it's a very cleverly put together beer and I feel like I could sit on on it for a while which I am rather surprised about.

I think it's so awesome to see the circle complete: From Home Brewer to Craft Brewer to Craft Beer Venue and finally to Craft Beer Lover! Then I guess the Craft Beer Lover can start home brewing and it's complete!

Anyway, this Craft Beer Lover is really happy to have the Alt Spice on tap and would like to say thanks to Ross Mitchell for his efforts as well as to Mountain Goat for making it all possible. Well done guys!!

ANHC Dinner & Awards - Report & Photos

Ale Star Shandy (who peaked a tad early!)

GG and I were invited last night to the ANHC dinner and Australian Homebrewer of the Year Awards. Held at Ormond Hall (behind the Belgian Beer Cafe on St Kilda Rd) after a two day conference, the night was hosted by Paul Mercurio. There was a great attendance with home brewers coming from around Australia (including Brent from Darwin), NZ and the Special Guests from the States.

While I didn't attend the conference (the first of its kind), I heard many great things about it. Congratulations go to the organisers and sponsors (Grain & Grape, Beermasons, Fosters etc) for working together to put on a great show. We were thrilled to give away the first prize from us & Mountain Goat (see here) to Ross Mitchell from ACT when he was announced Australian Homebrewer of the Year. I can't wait to see what he and the Goat team come up with!

Afterwards, the beer folk hung around for a few drinks and later a handful joined us at The Taphouse to end a fantastic evening..

Click for the full slideshow..

ACT Brewers

Moi and GG (right) with Australian Homebrewer of the Year, Ross Mitchell.

Lachlan Strong (ANHC) and Guy.

ANHC delegates arriving in town

It's been great to see quite a few delegates in town for the ANHC (Australian National Homebrewing Conference) checking out Melbourne's better beer venues and breweries.

Guy and I (and Ale Star Steve) got talking to two from Sydney last night and realised they had been there since lunchtime!

The Local Taphouse & Mountain Goat offer prize to Australia's Best Homebrewer

Mountain Goat Brewery

The Australian Homebrewer of the Year at this week's Australian Amateur Brewing Championships (in conjunction with the Australian National HomeBrew Conference) will now win, as first prize, the opportunity to brew a one-off seasonal beer of their choosing with Mountain Goat Brewery and then have it sold on tap at The Local Taphouses in Melbourne & Sydney.

This is really exciting for us and I love the concept of having the best homebrewer in the country going from brewing in their garage to having a beer they've brewed on tap in specialist beer bars in Sydney and Melbourne.

Guy and I are looking forward to the dinner this Saturday night and meeting the lucky brewer!