Darlo's BrewShare Report from Sydney Craft Beer Week

November's BrewShare was intimate with only about 10 beers entered but what we lost in quantity we certainly made up for in quality. The style for this night - beers under 4% - was decided at the previous BrewShare so we had an English Mild, light IPAs and a Berliner Weiss.

Anna and Olaf’s Berliner Weiss won the day with its almost lemonade sourness with Michael's British Mild coming a very close second. Best Other Beer was Ben's American Red Ale (also a great beer but at over 6% not quite to style).

The style for the next BrewShare is Anything With Australian Hops! We also decided that the BrewShare after that, in May, will be Sour Beers. So, if you think you have what it takes to create an outstanding brew then do not hesitate in get brewing and book in for February's edition of BrewShare on February 19th starting at 7pm. Tickets are only $20 which gets you some tasty treats on the night too. Click here to book.

Thanks to Dave's Home Brew for their continued support.

SCBW's Brewshare entry!!

Time is running out to get your home brew's ready for judgement this coming Tuesday 18th September. Doors will open at 7pm and the battle ground will be set in the Louvre on the first floor of the Local Taphouse. The theme is "Beer Mimics Food" and the winner get's their recipe pro-brewed and launched during Sydney Craft Beer Week, here at The Local Taphouse on the 23rd October. 

 This is a one off opportunity to join the big dogs of craft beer, to really put your brew on the map and get it the recognition it deserves. If you feel that your brew is ready but you are yet to book in, please follow this link to come and let us taste what you have created! 

 Good luck to all of you.

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!!

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!