Heretic Tap Showcase lands September 26th in St. Kilda

Be a heretic and come out to enjoy the first kegs of Miscreant (a sour ale in the Flemish red ale style) and Dead Weight (a malty, English-style barleywine) ever tapped in Australia.

Along with these two rare kegs, there will be a keg of Evil Twin - their delicious amber ale + bottles of Shallow Grave Porter, Evil Cousin West Coast IPA and their Rye Pale Ale, Gramarye.

Thursday, 26th September from 6pm.

Don't drink ordinary beer.

Curds for the Birds - Barley's Angels October event in St. Kilda

Ladies, join Barley's Angels this October for 'Curds for the Birds': a great evening of cheese, beer and discussion.

We'll sample 4 international and Australian farmhouse cheeses carefully paired with 4 outstanding brews from local and international breweries.

Details:

Tuesday, October 8th, 7pm
$40 non-members, $35 members
Purchase tickets here

For more information on joining as a member click here or email us.

Looking forward to a great night, hosted by, Kirrily, the Beer Diva.

See you there!

Barley's Angels makes a "Dark & Brewdy" return to St. Kilda

Barley's Angels is back!  For all those ladies out there who have missed our catch ups, join us August 13th and take a walk on the DARK & BREWDY side with Lucy from well-known coffee Melbourne purveyors Proud Mary.  

Lucy will be exploring and showcasing coffee in all its dark, rich glory, whilst we compare the distinctive roasted characters found in our favourite darker brews. 

Together we will learn about the difference between espresso, cold drip, pour over, syphon, french press and various other brewing techniques. 

FINAL LINE UP ANNOUNCED:

Feral Brewing Company Wit - Matched with Panama Auromar
Burleigh Brewing Co. Black Giraffe - Matched with Colombia Buena Vista
Heilala Vanilla Milk Stout - Matched with Brazil Lais Junqueira
Mornington Peninsula Brewery Russian Imperial Stout - Matched with Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Konga Natural

The coffees will be prepared using different methods such as cold drip & cold brew and matched with a few delicious treats from the kitchen.
Join us on Tuesday 13th August at 7:00pm. 

$35.00 ($40 non-members) includes beer, coffee and nibbles

Book your tickets here and join the fun!

Like us on facebook and keep up to date with Angels' news. For more information on memberships please email us here.

The Age LIVE: Inside the world of JMW Turner (St. Kilda)

Two centuries before Damien Hirst there was another ‘enfant terrible’ on the English painting scene. 

Just as controversial in his day, Joseph Mallord William (J.M.W.) Turner is now credited with elevating English landscape painting to a whole new level. 

To celebrate the National Gallery of Australia’s outstanding “Turner from the Tate” exhibition, The Age is hosting a very special event here at The Local Taphouse on Thursday, July 11th from 6:45pm.

Escape the winter chill and join us by the fire for a robust discussion on Britain’s greatest artist. Featuring The Age arts writer Andrew Frost in conversation with NGA Curator Lucina Ward, along with a selection of British ales and canapés.

For tickets visit the website.

For more information email here.

Ale Stars Brew Launch in St. Kilda & Darlo in March

The wait is nearly over!

Tues. March 19th in St. Kilda and Wed. March 20th in Darlinghurst, Ale Stars will be launching the very first ever Ale Stars' brew.  St. Kilda has redefined the IPA - making it Belgian in genre and Darlo is all over the underrated style of Baltic Porter. We can't wait to sample the beers and speak to the brewers themselves.  Check out the post here about the St. Kilda brew day.

AG from Mornington and Doc from Doctor's Orders will be at St. Kilda and Darlo Taphouses respectively and we'll be sampling two of their great beers as well.

Details:

Ale Stars Brew Launch - St. Kilda
Tuesday, March 19th, 7pm
$40 includes beer & food
Book here

Ale Stars Brew Launch - Darlinghurst
Wednesday, March 20th, 7pm
$40 includes beer & food
Book here

This is a very special Ale Stars not to be missed!

The Local Taphouse in Darlinghurst celebrate their 4th Birthday

Hear 'Ye! Hear 'Ye!!
The Local Taphouse in Darlinghurst have reached another milestone - our 4th Birthday
To celebrate 4 smashing years of IPA's, Ales, Porters, Stouts, Lambics and Lagers we are extending our 4th birthday celebrations out for a full week of events including complimentary beer, food, live music, DJ's and if the weather is warm on Sunday - a pool party.
This is not a joke - our Birthday Week 'o' love is going to go a little something like this...

MONDAY

We have a special "Meet The Brewer" event with Birra Del Borgo founder
Leonardo Di Vincenzo (Leo) - in "1933" (1st Floor Bar)
Free Entry - Complimentary ReAle "Extra" IPA on arrival - Paddle of BdB beers for $20 - 7pm sharp
TUESDAY
 Silent Cinema on the Rooftop presents "Be Cool"
$10 inc. headphones, complimentary glass of Innocent Bystander or Trumer Pils & popcorn - Doors 7pm
WEDNESDAY
ALE STARS presents "4 Pines in February"
Special guest :: Chris Willcock
$40 inc. all tasting beers on the night, nibbles & trivia - Doors 7pm - Louvre
LIVE @ The Local - Live music showcase feat Alain De Carne - Main Bar
THURSDAY
Jazz feat. Jess Beck
Make sure you're thirsty and on time to enjoy complimentary Stone & Wood 'Pacific Ale' from 6pm
We then have fantastic live Jazz from the Jess Beck Quartet  starting from 8pm - Main Bar
FRIDAY
The weekend has landed! feat. 'Harlem Knights' (Sax, Bass, Keys & Vocals)  

Nobody needs encouragement to drink so from 6pm we will be bringing around free Canape's freshly made by Head Chef David Thackray - delicious.
Then we have a fantastic appearance from Harlem Knights making their debut from 8pm - a soulful way to begin the weekend - Free Entry
SATURDAY
2013 'Hall Of Fame' inductions
Some may be recovering by the time Saturday rolls around but others will be ironing their Saturday best because we are about to induct them into the Hall of Fame. Every year we praise those who remain loyal to us and support our cause through thick and thin. These legends get their names eternally nailed on brass plaques to one of our three bars. Friends and family will be here so come on down and see how we celebrate passion! 3pm we start the pleasantries
Then bringing us the soundtrack to the sunset and Saturday night - DJ Mike Who  & Funkdafied's JC from 8pm -  Main Bar
SUNDAY
Acoustic Pool Party feat. Alain De Carne

Now it's time to recover in style and surround yourself by green palms, open sky, a cool mist and a shady umbrella; one would almost think it was the beach. Well it's not, it's our Roof Top Garden. Before you think you may need to head to the beach for a refreshing dip we need to add one more thing to our Roof top Garden, a Pool! So bring your bikinis and budgie smugglers and take a dip on our Roof.
Joining you is the very talented Alaine De Carne - after his debut last month the demand for this legend is unreal so he's yours for the day!
With $10 Bloody Mary's and $5 fries we gotta say "Happy Birthday"

The Darlinghurst Barley's Angels get into the Beer & Cheese...

Given that The Local Taphouse has been known as your 'typical man pub' based on the fact that we focus on wonderful craft beers, we do actually want the women out there, in here too.

The long awaited instalment of Barley's Angels is almost here. This time 'Beer Diva' Kirrily Waldhorn has again come up with a timeless match of Beer & Cheese; a true pleasure for the palate. 

Those not to familiar with Barley's Angels pay attention. 

Barley's Angels is a fantastic female society whom focus their attention on craft beers and other delights which go hand in hand with beer. They meet up with like minded girls and have a great night discussing the ins and outs of the topic, this case being 'Beer & Cheese'

The event takes place on Tuesday 26th February in the private and beautiful surroundings of The Louvre, (on the first floor) Local Taphouse Darlinghurst from 6:30pm. 

Tickets are $35, that includes all of the beers and cheese.
Tickets are limited so don't hesitate in following this link and joining in the fun. It's time to leave the boys at home while the women enjoy the Local pub. 

Darlinghurst Ale Stars blended the Beers beautifully

Last Wednesday was an intimate gathering with the usual suspects, leading the proceedings in vanguard was local guru Darren 'Doc' from Doctor's Orders Brewing, and The Local's own beertender Hugh to share his insights and to punish everyone with the trivia.

This session the theme was to blend two beers to form another known style of beer. For this to work we provided both beers in separate glasses, as well as another blending glass for each round. This meant that participants had a chance at tasting both beers before the blend, as well as deciding the blend ratio themselves.

Starting it off was an attempt at creating a Schwarzbier by blending the Meantime London Porter (6.5%, UK) with the Trumer Pils (4.9%, Austria). A Schwarzbier is a German dark lager characterised by its deep black colour, and its chocolatey-coffee flavours. While the blend didn't taste bad, it didn't quite strike the style. The colour was a murky brown instead of a deep oily black, and to everyone’s surprise the hops in the Trumer really beamed through the mix. Typically Pilsners are not considered hoppy beers next to their ale counterparts, and on its own the Trumer Pils has a fairly subtle flavour profile with honey-grain maltiness and bright carbonation. However, blended with the Meantime London Porter its hop character was really amplified against the backdrop of the milk-chocolate, roasty malts. It was agreed that more Porter to Pilsner ratio produced a better blend.

Second up was a blend with two classic beers, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (5.6%, USA) and the Duvel Strong Ale (8.5%, BEL), to create a Belgian Pale Ale. The result was as expected, a very drinkable blend that incorporated characteristics from both beers in a pleasant balance. The interesting zesty aromatics from the Belgian style met the fresh bouquet of North-American hops from the New World pale ale. The seams in this blend were noticeable, however it achieved the range of taste anticipated for a Belgian Pale Ale, and beers such as the Duvel Triple Hop 2012 (Citra) were brought to the discussion.

For the third round we explored the idea of creating a Black Saison by blending the Meantime London Porter (6.5%, UK) with the Red Hill Saison (6.0%, VIC). A Black Saison sounds like contradicting terms, however think of it as a Belgian version of a Dunkelweizen. Its a hybrid style that has been brewed by New World breweries in recent years by brewing with dark malts, while capturing the refreshing vibrant qualities of a Saison. Our blend using both these beers produced the best one on the night. Although this style is not terribly familiar to some, the result was one that everyone was happy with. It maintained the qualities of the target style as the dark malts were lifted by the refreshing dry carbonation of the Saison, while tarty farmhouse esters complimented the chocolatey-vanilla taste, giving a pleasant mouth feel. Moreover, the result was seamless no matter which way one decide to ratio the blend.

Last for the night was a blend between the mammoth Nøgne Ø #100 IPA (10%, NOR), and the light and spicy Hoegaarden Witbier (4.9%, BEL) to produce a White IPA. As I feared the enormous canvas of flavour from Nøgne Ø swamped any chance of the Hoegaarden making its impression in the mix. Although I should report that everyone enjoyed the tsunami of the taste these Imperial IPAs are known for.

Not all blends were perfect, however experimenting was fun and fruitful, and surprising how this exercise spotlighted some specific characteristics of each beer through the resulting taste. Perhaps the real winning combination on the night was being present at The Local to syphon the last drops of Yeastie Boys Gunnamatta from the taps!

The Next Ale Stars we have a very special visit from 4 Pines Brewery, it's on the 20th Feb so don't miss out, book here. 

Less than a week until the Last AleStars in Darlinghurst for 2012

With less than a week to go, and with the last Ale Stars of 2012 really taking shape, you can see that our Cellar Manager David Osgood is not only model material, but he is also now in possession of the beers you want and need!

The line up for next Wednesday's Ale Stars is looking something like this...

Local Taphouse & Bridge Road Bar Series presents "13 Hours on a Bus"
Bear Republic's "Racer 5"
Doctors Orders "Zephyr"
Nogne O "#500"

As Christmas is lurking around the corner like one of Santa's drunken little elves we thought it would only be right if we had a few prezzies and surprises for you as well but you'll have to wait until Wednesday night to see what they are...Okay we'll give you a clue, could they be a special guest? Another beer perhaps? Some cool merchandise or Miranda Kerr filling up your glass on the night? You'll just have to wait. (Please note: Miranda Kerr odds are at 10:1)

We've also taken our theme and come up with a delicious dinner for everyone as well so don't fear. 

Trivia will be focused on this years events regarding The Local Taphouse, Beer news in Australia and a few other cheeky ones too. 

Tickets are a mere $40, doors open at 7pm and the good times will no doubt go till late. 

If you haven't booked yet, please click here. 

Hope to see you all here! 

Barley's Angels in St. Kilda goes Grill Crazy!

Barley's Angels presents: "Girls on the Grill" as our end of year party!

Move over guys, the BBQ is the domain of the male no longer. It's time us ladies got to gather around the barbie supping great beers and chatting with the gals while we leave the boys in the kitchen.

If you have ever wanted to master the BBQ whilst learning about and tasting some incredible beers (including our latest all-female collaboration brew - Hildegarde's Biere de Garde), then come along to The Local Taphouse.

Under the professional instruction of our fabulous "Tongmaster" Pete Mitcham, together we will learn how to cook the perfect steak, whether there is any truth in the need to pierce your sausages and other great barbecuing techniques all of which will definitely grant you your space around the grill! Leave with some great beer & grill inspired recipes as well!

As it's our last Barley's Angels event for 2012, there will be some great giveaways & fun competitions throughout the evening. This is one not to be missed... we shall all leave together as "masters of the tong"!

Date: Monday, 26th November
Start time: 7pm
Cost: $35.00 per person including food & 5 beer tastings

Book here or email for more information.

Stay tuned for new Barley's Angels membership information coming in 2013.

Looking forward to our end of the year session!

Oktoberfest Memories from The Local Taphouse St. Kilda

It was all Dirndls and Lederhosen at the Local Taphouse's annual Oktoberfest celebration. Great German-style beers from overseas and Australia were matched with a sensational German inspired menu (did anyone have the pork knuckle sandwich? Amazing!).

Our resident Oompah band did a great job entertaining the crowd. And by the end of the night, everyone was singing "Ein Prosit".

The gold coin entry amounted to $1460 (!) and was donated to the Port Phillip Community Group which they will put towards their Drop in Art program which was in danger of closing due to lack of funding. The Drop in Art provides a welcoming, informal space for people from across the community to express themselves through art while increasing their opportunities for social inclusion.

For more great pictures click here.

Thanks to everyone that came down on the day! Hope everyone had a ball and we'll see you at next year's celebration!

Prost!

St. Kilda's Barley's Angels - Beer meets Life Art

The next installment of Barley's Angels in St. Kilda is going to be a popular one - Beer meets Life Art.
Part art lesson, part beer education complete with our male model, this is a Barley's Angels not to miss! Hosted by Beer Girl Bites, Tiffany Waldron, sketch pads, pencils, beer and nibbles are included in the price.

Location: The Local Taphouse St. Kilda
Date: Tuesday, October 9th
Time: 7pm
Cost $25

Book here and we'll see you then, Angels!

St. Kilda's Whisky at Wilfred's - The Next Installment

The second installment of Whisky at Wilfred's is a very special RYE Edition. Join special guest Brendan Moylan via Skype from Moylan's Brewing in California as he chats about his brand spanking new whisk(e)y - yet to be released in Australia.  We've got a few bottles that we'll be cracking and pairing with beers.

Date: September 26th
Time: 7pm
Cost: $45
Venue: The Local Taphouse, St. Kilda, "Wilfred's Room"
Included:  Nibbles, 3 whiskey & beer pairings, heaps of education and fun times

This will sell out quicker than you can say "I love whiskey" so get your tickets here.

"How to Judge Beer Course" in St. Kilda

Love Beer?

Want to learn more about it in a fun, entertaining environment?  

The Beer Academy Australia is running a "How to Judge Beer Course" for the very first time in Melbourne in conjunction with The Local Taphouse.

This is a four-hour Beer Academy training course designed to help professionals, enthusiasts and beginners understand how to assess and judge the quality and style of a beer. This knowledge can be used to enhance the experience and enjoyment of tasting beer as well as preparing judges in beer competitions for the processes and standards required. This training is also part of the Beer Sommelier course offered by the organisation.

Classes are run by recognised experts with a passion for beer and are conducted in a relaxed manner befitting beer's essential unpretentious sociability, while still providing the perfect combination of fun and discovery. They will surprise and delight you and your friends with the versatility of the not-so-humble brew, all while you you learn about beer styles, flavours, techniques and its ancient origins.

The course will be hosted by Neal Cameron beer & cider judge, beer writer and head brewer. Also present to add further insights and colour will be Pete Mitcham, aka Prof Pilsener and Jayne Lewis from Two Birds Brewing.

Date: Sunday, September 23rd or Monday, September 24th
Cost: $120
Time: From 2pm
Location: The Local Taphouse, 184 Carlisle Street, St. Kilda East, 3183  

(03) 9537-2633

Book here and learn more about the Beer Academy Australia here.

St.Kilda loves the Footy! Spend Grand Final Day with us!

It doesn't matter which team you barrack for, it's finals time friends, and we're excited for you to spend your Grand Final Day with us.  With screens in the main bar downstairs, upstairs, in the restaurant and the Bocce room - we can reserve you a space for you and all your mates.  Great beer, great footy & delicious scones for bookings of 6 or more at half time.

Drop us an email at here or give us a call on (03) 9537-2633 and quote where you want to be.

Bookings will only be taken until Wednesday, September 26th so get in quick!

September's St. Kilda Ale Stars goes Hop Crazy!

September's Ale Stars in St. Kilda features 8 beers in Mikkeller's Single Hop Series for your hop-tasting pleasure!  Compare & contrast the different styles, whilst enjoying some tasty food from the kitchen.

This month we've changed the date to Wednesday, September 19th (Tuesdays will resume in October) at 7pm for a 7:30pm start.

So hop to it (!) and book a ticket here for $40 - or come along and pay at the door.

If you've been coming to a few Ale Stars sessions and you've been thinking - "Yes, I really dig these sessions!" then why not become an annual member?

Benefits include:

a birthday voucher worth $75

a season's pass to the 2013 GABS festival

an Ale Stars shirt, locker & key

a 400ml Ale Stars mug - pay for 310ml, get 90ml free everytime you drink at The Local

and

 admission to 12 x consecutive beer appreciation sessions where you can learn all you can about beer.

Click here to sign up or email Ashley with any queries.

Whisky at Wilfred's - A St. Kilda First

Last night saw a fantastic turn out for the first ever "Whisky at Wilfred's" monthly whisky appreciation sessions held in the intimate "Wilfred's" lounge.

Our host, Russell Stubbs, was on hand to introduce the program for the night and describe his vast experience and "obsession" with whisky before special guest Evan Hunter from Lark Distellery started the commentary and education with the first pairing of beer & whisky. The Lark Distillers select cask whisky was paired with Seven Sheds' Willie Warmer Spice Ale with a great result.

The second pairing of Seven Shed's "Up your Kilt" Scotch Ale was very special as the beer had matured in the very casks that paired whisky - "Lark cask strength whisky" - had been matured in. 

The last pairing of Scottish whisky - Highland Park 12yr with Harviestoun Ola Dubh 12 year old dark ale was another sensational combination.

Questions were asked, nibbles were had, cheeks were flushed red with a whisky warmth and frankly, we can't wait for the next one. The whiskies featured in this session of "Wilfred's" are also now available at The Local Taphouse.

Stay tuned for the next session on September 26th, featuring Brendan Moylan of Moylan's Brewing and his new whisky which has just been released in the United States.

St. Kilda hosts Whisky at Wilfred's

What could be more warming in the heart of Melbourne winter than Whisky? Come on down to Wilfred's  room at The Local Taphouse on Wednesday, August 29th at 7pm and learn about everyone's other favourite amber beverage.

Special guest Evan Hunter, from Lark Distillery in Tassie, will take us through some of their great whiskies - plus we've got a very special keg of Seven Sheds Scotch Ale barrel-aged in Lark whisky barrels. Who could ask for more?

Oh yah, and nibbly bits and education to boot!

We're all just feeling a bitter warm inside aren't we?  Book here and we'll see you there.

Father's Day Special in St. Kilda

The age-old question of what present to get Dad for Father's day has been solved by The Local Taphouse: Beer. And it's free!

The Local Taphouse in St. Kilda is offering a special Father's Day "free-paddle-for-Dad" deal when you reserve a table on September 2nd. We're open Sunday for lunch or dinner until 1am.

Reservations will be taken up until August 30th for Father's Day - give us a buzz on (03) 9537-2633 or email skfunctions@thelocal.com.au.

For other ways to spoil Dad on September 2nd check out this article.

See you next Sunday!

Barley's Angels - August 7th, Beer & Cupcakes

Hello Angels - it's cupcake time! 

The next installment of Barley's Angels is on Tuesday, August 7th at The Local Taphouse in Sydney & Melbourne

Imagine the divine pairing of a succulent raspberry ripple cupcake with a rich, creamy stout or a salted caramel cupcake with a decadent Belgian Ale... these are just a couple of the scrumptious pairings we will be indulging in at our first ever Beer & Cupcake event for Barley's Angels. Feast on delicious morsels of cupcake heaven, each of which will meticulously paired to 5 of The Local Taphouse's incredible tap beer offerings.

Meet the creators of these tasty works of art, who will be gracing us with their expertise and secret tips on how to create the perfect cupcake, from inside to out. 

  

 BEER & CUPCAKES I SYDNEY

Tuesday 7th August: 7pm-8:30pm

The Local Taphouse, Darlinghurst

Vivacious, energetic and passionate Nancy Vu from I Want Cake will be joining Sydney Angels. Nancy loves everything about cake - baking it, decorating it , sharing it and eating it. Despite living a Corporate life by day, she always had a passion for baking. After a lot of encouragement from family and friends, she started her dream cake making adventure with I Want Cake.

To her, cake is magical. It has the ability to captivate all who see it, melt all who taste it and make you smile at the thought of it. 

Now, we all want cake! Nancy will be sampling 5 mini cupcakes which host, Beer Diva Kirrily Waldhorn, will pair to 5 beers from The Local Taphouse - Darlinghurst's incredible tap selection. 

Cost: $25.00 per person

Click here to book:   Beer & Cupcakes - Sydney

   

BEER & CUPCAKES I MELBOURNE

Tuesday 7th August: 7pm-8:30pm

The Local Taphouse, St Kilda

Sugardeaux cupcakes are baked from scratch to order using the finest quality ingredients. They use fresh vanilla beans, Belgian Callebaut cocoa, real fruit purees and a host of other fine products available in a range of innovative flavours. 

Melbourne's very own cupcake queen, Jess Pryles fromSugadeaux will be sampling 5 mini cupcakes which host, Beer Girl Bites Tiffany Waldron, will pair to 5 beers from  The Local Taphouse - St Kilda's incredible tap selection. 

  

Cost: $25.00 per person

Click here to book: Beer & Cupcakes - Melbourne

See you there, Angels!