2009 Photo wrap up

Decided to throw up a few pics that I found recently that I haven’t put up.

A while back I enjoyed a bottle of Pumpkin beer from Hop Juice! Cheers for the hook up mate!

Southern Tier Pumking (9% ABV)

America

Rating – 9

Per Style (Fruit/Vegetable) – 9.5

Found this pic on Ratebeer. This is my beer porn. All Imperial Stouts and probably the best examples of the style.

Jacaranda tree on our street that reminds me a lot of Cherry Blossoms. They flower for a short time, but are very beautiful.

Double fisting in Popeyes.

Two local escaped mental asylum patients atBaird Numazu Taproom, Japan.

Clearing out the beer bottles before coming back to Australia.

Drinking a Dogfish head World Wide Stout (18%!) in Summer…probably not the best idea in the world.

Here’s to 2010!

Christmas Story 2009

‘Twas the week before Christmas and it was bloody hot to be sure. Little Johnny used to have it real good. His local bar in Yokohama, Thrash Zone, was the Sh@t. Then it was time to go back to Australia. Brisbane to be exact. And the only beer bar in town was called the Platform bar. Life went down hill from there. Now see this ‘beer’ bar had eight taps. But these usually held macro beer, disguised as  craft beer. James Squire, Matilda Bay and to a lesser extent the Little Creatures range. A few local brewers produced a few lame beers (unfortunately MT is not served here – decent beer). They once had Feral Hop Hog IPA from Western Australia on tap so that was pretty exciting, but otherwise it’s rubbish. The bottles would set you back a bit (they are making a premium profit here for a ‘premium’ bar roflmao). Also, all tap beers were served in a belgian style tulip/chalice, irregardless of style. Unless you ordered a weiss.

Quite often this place was closed for no reason or they had an event on, so locked out anyone not involved with said event.  Half the time little Johnny walked straight in and out shaking his head at the selection available. See this bar didn’t advertise their selection on the website (I’m not going to bother linking it) so you had to physically see the menu to know what they had. The staff were generally backpackers so knew nothing about the beer they served. It’s wasn’t their fault – they were merely making ends meet.

So here he sits at the computer and  Little Johnny sheds a tear and  grimaces at another weekend ahead without any good christmas beer.

Haha sorry but I had to write this piece on this true cock up of an establishment because I’m at my wit’s end here. Local Taphouse we need you here in Brissie!

Imperial Stout Tasting

‘beers such as xxxx and vb are enjoyed by so many because they are watered down to such a bland consistency they offend no one’

Recently had a tasting with Nate. It was a purely Imperial Stout Tasting, which is my favourite style and definitely a love it or hate it style.

Imperial Stout being defined as -

‘usually extremely dark brown to black in color with flavors that are intensely malty, deeply roasted and sometimes with accents of dark fruit (raisin, fig) or milk sourness. The bitterness is typically medium and often the low side of that. Imperial stouts are strong and often exceed 8% by volume. ‘

We were lucky enough to pool our resources and taste Imperial Stouts from Australia, New Zealand, USA and Scotland.

1. Murray’s Imperial Stout 2008 (10%ABV)

Australia

Rating – 8.5

Per Style (Imperial Stout) – 7

Poured a pitch black with lovely tan head. Nose was of coffee and roasty flavours. In the mouth it was full bodied and viscous. Lots of coffee, toffee and some licorice. Well made Impy definitely more on the roasty side.

2. Pink Elephant Imperious Rushin’ Stowt (11% ABV)

New Zealand

Rating – 9

Per Style (Impy Stout) -8

An interesting one. Nose was huge kind of raspberry. In the mouth it had a lot going on but was quite hot. The alcohol wasn’t well hidden. Sweet and almost resinous. A big beer definitely and with a bit of tweaking could be world class.

3.Stone Russian Imperial Stout (10.8%ABV)

USA

Rating – 9.5

Per Style (RIS)  - 9.25

The big daddy. So complex and full of life this would be a desert island beer for me.  Rich, full, chocolate, dark fruit etc. Just about as good as it gets. Only gave it a 9.25 for the style because there are a few other beers I want to try before giving it the perfect 10.

4. Brewdog Tokyo (12%ABV)

Scotland

Rating – 8

Per Style (Imperial Stout) – 6.5

Hmmmm…a tough one. Lovely big nose. Lots of dark fruit jumps out at you. In the mouth it’s a little thin for the style. Still quite good though lots of the jasmine, fruits and chocolate. The oak chips don’t really make themselves known to me. Very good but not quite there.

Momma Mia!

Bridge Road 6 Pack

A month or two ago I sent out an email to the breweries of Australia that I felt were doing good things ATM. Surprise, surprise I only got two responses, from not surprising two of the better, If not best breweries in Australia. Bridge Road down in Victoria, and in particular the head brewer Ben is producing some flavourful and inspired brews was the first to email me back (the other was Murrays if you must know) and he duly sent me a six pack of his offerings as well as two 750ml bottles of bigger beers that I will rate in the near future.

Obviously I want to state that the reviews are done with a clear consequence in that I rate them as I see them and will not be giving special favour to this or any brewery.

So without further ado..the ratings….

1. Bridge Road Bavarian Wheat (5%ABV)

Rating – 6.5

Per Style (Hefe Weiss) – 6

So close..Looks a treat, identical to german standards. Nose is banana and clove. In the mouth it is smooth and decent drinking, although had a slightly astringent aftertaste. Still the best aussie hefe I have had.

2. Bridge Road Australian Ale (4.4% ABV)

Rating – 5.5

Per Style (Pale Ale) – 6

Pours a light yellow fizzy looking colour. Nose is subdued – toffee and faint hops. In the mouth it is light bodied and reasonably well balanced. Solid but not going to blow you a away.I think this would be a good gateway beer for macro (xxxx,vb,tooheys) drinkers.

3. Bride Road Pale Ale (5%ABV)

Rating – 7

Per Style (Pale Ale) – 8

Good body, nice mouthfeel and decent hoppy finish. All in all a very good, solid APA(American Pale Ale).  One of those beers you could sit down and sink a few.

4. Bridge Road Celtic Ale (5.3% ABV)

Rating -5.5

Per Style (Red Ale) – 6

This is probably the only disappointment. Poured a deep amber hue with fizzy head. Nose is unique malt, although not too interesting. In the mouth it is a little thin but has a unique character. Didn’t really agree with me.

5. Bridge Road Bling IPA (5.6% ABV)

Rating – 7.5

Per Style (IPA) – 7.5

Their best beer. Really good. Beechworth seem to like uping the malt, thankfully this is reasonably hoppy as well. Not in West coast territory, but still quite bitter on the finish. Nose is dominated by the malt and this baby is dark for the style. Pretty easy drinking and reasonably balanced.

6. Bridge Road Robust Porter (5.2% ABV)

Rating –  7

Per Style (Porter) – 7.5

Nice malty pour – dark and lovely head retention. Nose is of chocolate and toffee although a bit subdued. In the mouth it is medium bodied. Deep toffee and licorice – in a mild way. Would probably be very good on tap.

So all in all some good to very good beer. These guys are only young and still developing but the promise is definitely there. They could be heavyweights in the future with  a bit more experience. You can get the Australian ale and Pale Ale at Dan Murphys (Just be careful – DM don’t really look after their beer that well) and the others usually at better establishments. The IPA is highly recommended, but all were good.

On a side note they recently brewed a Imperial Porter oaked in Wine Barrels (from a very much in demand small winery I heard). I like that they are experimenting with this kind of unique brewing. It is good to see and advantageous not just for the brewery, but the Australian scene in general, to push the envelope.

Cheers Boys!

What do people want in a beer?

I was out drinking a few beers with an old mate last night and it got me thinking…what does beer mean to different people and what do they like or enjoy? With something like 60 styles of beer (some of which I have never tried) it seems there is something for everyone. It seemed that my friend enjoyed sweeter beers, whilst I am more of a hop lover.

It’s easy to say that this style or that style are crap (for want of a better word) but they all have their fans. Everyone appreciates different aspects of beer drinking. Notice I said driking, not mindlessly consuming. I love  Imperial Stout or a big, hoppy beer, but these might be too much for many people. Just as I am not a big fan of chilli in food, it would be off puting for me go to an indian restaurant and order a super spicy vindaloo special, I can appreciate that my idea of the ideal beer may not always be for everyone.

Having said that, there are always ways to introduce people to the wonders of craft beer. One thing I have learnt is to not give (for example) a VB or XXXX drinker something at the opposite end of the beer spectrum. Sometimes a little shift sideways can help people to open up to other possibilities.  I guess what I’m trying to say that anyone can be open to new experiences if it’s done in the right way.

San Diego shows us how it’s done

Got in to a Ballast Point Sculpin IPA last night. This was a kind of trade with Hop Juice (cheers mate!) so unfortunately it isn’t available in Australia. Wish it was though – apparently the boys over in Japan are enjoying from the keg right now! Lucky bastards! Oh well I am more than happy with this fantastic piece of beer as art from the bottle.

(This photo courtesy of Chuwy’s Blog cos my camera is f#$%ing up. Notice the screen in the background. Very Japanese Chuwy – Nice contrast with the beer!)

Ballast Point Sculpin (7%ABV)

America

Rating – 9

Per style (IPA) – 10

I love a good IPA and this is about as good as it gets. Unfortunately nothing in Australia comes close to this (not even the Epic Armageddon although it is a good effort). Huge pineapple, mango and citrus nose. In the mouth it is full yet so smooth. Lots of citrus and pine in the mouth, coating the tongue. Strong, but not overly aggressive. The malt profile is there but it takes a back seat to the hop bill. I could imagine this as the perfect gateway beer in to NWIPAs (ie Hoppy Beers) . However once you’ve had this little would stand up in comparison. The Green flash WCIPA would be the only IPA that could compare to this. World class and then some. i could still taste the hops in my mouth after drinking a bit of absinthe and I fell asleep sniffing the bottle! Sad I know but desperate people do desperate things hahaha.

I’m doin’ all the pulling, you blouse-wearing poodle- walker!

Extra points for the above quote’s orgins! Anyway picked up some interesting beers from Scotland today down at Nectar (which BTW is the BEST beer store in Brisbane!!). Drunk them in honour of my good friend Homerew Japan ie Beer in Japan ie He who shall remain nameless. Both had unusual ingredients on top of the normal malt, water,yeast, hops combo. Firstly the Heather Kelpie used seaweed, whilst the Heather Alba used pine needles! Both are brewed by Williams Bros.

Heather Kelpie (4.4%ABV)

Scotland

Rating – 6.5

Per Style (stout) – 7

At least It tasted like a stout to me! Nose was chocolately. Very smooth and velvety, but a little thin in the body. Lots of chocolate and a bit of coffee on the tongue. Didn’t get any seaweed! Decent beer, particularly for the low ABV.

Heather Alba (7.5% ABV)

Scotland

Rating – 7.5

Per Style (Tripel) – 7.5

Very intersting beer. Poured a luberly austere pumpkin colour. VERY sweet on the nose and had an interesting character that I can only assume was the pine. In the mouth it was full bodied and similar to a Tripel, but quite unique. I enjoyed this.

Double Dead Guy…

Finally got my mouth around a bottle of Double Dead Guy from Rogue! I have ben meaning to drink this beer a number of times but circumstances have always conspired against me! It was on tap at the Aldgate in Japan a few months back and I arrived just after the last pint had been poured (the chuwy curse strikes again!;-p). So I shelled out the $23 dollars Australian (exspensif? no??) for the bomber and took it home to have my necrophilic way with it.

For those that don’t know Rogue make the dead guy ale at a sane 6% ABV I believe. It is a very nice American take on a Heller Bock (according to Ratebeer).  However may I present this said beer on steroids…

Rogue Double Dead Guy  (9% ABV)

America

Rating – 8

Per Style (American Strong Ale) – 8

Big, big beer. Like a Strong Belgian Ale mixed with an American Double IPA. Looks a treat and the nose is wonderfully sweet and fruity.  Starts off really sweet but finishes with some nice throat scratching hoppiness. A really well made beer.  Still behind Double Bastard as my favourite souped up version of a favourite (Arrogant Bastard Ale), but definitely a treat and eminently drinkable.

Cheers!

Rallying Call to Beer Lovers!

Drinking beer is a priviledge, not a right. So when I do drink I want to enjoy a good brew. Good beer is not always easy to come by in Australia.  Now unfortunately a lot of people, whether through apathy or lack of education still believe beer revolves around drinking pale, fizzy, tasteless lager. It is not necessarily the consumer’s fault, but those of us who count beer drinking amongst our passions can and must help others see the broader picture and make it easier to get hold of good beer.

Every day I am seeing more and more new creative breweries bringing out great beer. Whether it be in Australia, Japan or America I have had some amazing beers by companies that just don’t have the power to compete with the advertising clout of the big boys (ie Lion Nathan, InBev etc). So how can we help to fight these scourges? Grass roots support. Demanding craft beer in establishments. Getting the word out. I went to a bar last night with all macros on tap. They had just started getting in Little Creatures Pilsener. Not a great drop but I ordered it to show my support for this great brewer (apart from this particular beer!). I talked to the staff about the beer and other possibilities.

Recently a friend of mine and I went drinking in Brisbane. He is a Cascade drinker from Tasmania.  I took him to the platform bar (which unfortunately has it’s hands a bit tied by  Lion Nathan and Fosters – but that’s another story), which is the best beer bar in town – even if there isn’t much competition. I ordered a Surefoot Stout by Mountain Goat and offered him a sip. Sure enough the next time we went there he ordered a Surefoot Stout! He couldn’t get over how flavourful a beer could be. That’s how we can slowly affect change!

I’m certainly not saying we can change things overnight but we can all do our part to promote good beer. Turn your friends on to a favourite, try something you wouldn’t normally try or even take a six pack of craft beer to your next party and share it around. Every little bit helps! I hope I can do my part (no matter how small), because some of the best people I have ever meet were through craft beer. They are passionate about good beer and I love that.

Let’s all do our part!

Comments appreciated…..

Taste Testing (or just an excuse to drink good beer?) 2

Yesterday headed out to Nate’s place for a tasting. Nate is a member of Ratebeer like myself and knows a lot about beer, particularly Australasian beers. Without further ado here are the ratings..

Little Creature’s  Rogers (3.8% ABV)

Australia

Rating – 6

Per style (Mild ale/amber) – 8.5

Good easy drinking beer. Maltish with the lowest hoping rate from this famously hoppy beers producer. Great price ($12.99 six pack) and LC are always available in many bottle shops. The sessionable choice.

◊

Bridge Road Harvest Pale Ale (5% ABV)

Australia

Rating – 6.5

Per Style (Pale Ale) – 8

Good, bitter little Pale Ale. Quite full body and reasonably hoppy. For a pale ale this wasn’t half bad. Good beer from an always dependable brewer.

♣

Red Hill Hop Harvest (6% ABV)

Australia

Rating – 6

Per style (ESB) – 6

This beer didn’t gel with me. Very malty and  not really showcasing any off the apparently fresh picked hops. Had that malty characteristic I don’t like that I have noticed in quite a few Aussie Beers recently. Nate thought it might be crystal malts…If it is I don’t like it!

♥

Great Divide Belgica (7.2% ABV)

America

Rating – 7

Per Style (Belgian IPA) – My first belgian IPA so cannot compare.

MMMM…I have a lot of time for Great Divide (Yeti is one of my favourites) and this was quite good, but certainly nothing special. Very yeasty and certainly not as hoppy as expected. There has been a lot of discussion that their beers in general are less hoppy than in the past, but if as long they don’t f#$% with the great yeti beers I don’t really care!

♦

Epic Armageddon (6.66% ABV)

New Zealand

Rating – 8

Per Style (IPA) – 7.5

Oh my. The nose is fantastic. In Green Flash WCIPA territory here. Mouthful is not quite there, but still a very good beer. I was glad I could get my hands on a few.

◊

Renaissance MIPA (8.5% ABV)

New Zealand

Rating – 7.5

Per Style (DIPA) – 7.5

Interesting beer. Using the recently cultivated Reikawa hop from New Zealand. Bitterness is apparent on first taste. Very high Alpha Acid content. Beer was a little rough in contrast to the serenely beautiful labels, but I still enjoyed it. Like going to a rough pub where you fear for your safety, but still manage to have a great time there.

♣

Unibroue Raftman (5% ABV)

Canada

Rating – 7

Per Style (Belgian Pale Ale) – 7

A sessionable Belgian with a slight peatyness from using whisky malt. A little simple but enjoyable none the less.

♥

Flying Dog Horn Dog (10.2% ABV)

America

Rating – 8

Per Style (Barleywine) – 7.5

Cheers to Nate for cracking this! Sweet and sticky this was a great way to end the testing. Not as over the top as some BWs which sat fine with me.

So that concluded our second tasting. Hopefully we will have one soon with some Imperial Stouts!

P.S. Our first tasting, at Southbank a few weeks ago included the following beers (won’t include any write ups for these) -

Mussel Inn Dark Horse (4% ABV)

Rating – 7

Per Style (Mild Porter) – 9

Mikkeller Jackie Brown (7% ABV)

Rating – 7

Per Style (Brown Ale/IPA) -  7.5

Weihenstephaner Koribinian (7% ABV)

Rating – 7

Per Style (Doppelbock) – 7

Emerson’s Old 95  (7% ABV)

Rating – 8

Per Style (Old Ale) – 9

Renaissance Elemental Porter (6% ABV)

Rating – 7

Per Style (Porter) – 6.5

Red Hill Imperial Stout (8.5% ABV)

Rating – 7

Per Style (Imperial Stout) – 4

Rogue Old Crustacean (11% ABV)

Rating – 7

Per Style (Barleywine) – 6.5

Oh Yeah and Happy Birthday for today Nate!