Brewer's Feast

Well, a pretty good concept that needs a little bit of buff  and polish. At around 1pm the brewers themselves were saying it was pretty quiet, but I think as with most festivals will grow over time.

I understand that Hart's is contemplating a quarterly event. This is a good idea as long as the number of brewers is kept fairly low, and they don't aim for big crowds.

I enjoyed the Summer Ale from True South brewery, Punch and Judy mid strength ale from Murray's, and the 6.5% Imperial Pils from Pickled Monkeys.

The event was a little slow kicking off; the beer seemed to only arrive at 11am, and there was a mad rush to get everything hooked up. No matter, we went downstairs and ordered a couple of good beers over the bar, including the new single batch oatmeal stout from Little Creatures and White Rabbit white ale.

My only real gripe was that the brewers couldn't showcase all their beers at once, saying that they would switch kegs later in the day. I was intending to stay only three hours, so this was no good for me. It was a shame as I wanted to hook into the Otway Saison, True South Wee Jimmy, Murrays Grand Cru, and Hunter Cranky Pants IPA.  So, in future, they need either more taps, or less brewers.

Brewer's Feast - Beer List

I've been a bit silent lately.... just got myself a new job which has been somewhat distracting..

Scott Morgan from Hart's Pub & Rocks Brewing has offered up the list of beers available at the festival.

http://beeradvocate.com/forum/read/2956145

I'll be making a bee-line to the Pickled Monkeys Imperial Pils and the True South offerings. Then a quick refresher course in Otway Estate beers.

Readers will know that I am more than familiar with Murray's beers, but on this occasion there is a new one to try: Punch & Judy, a mid-strength ale which is ideally suited to today's session (http://www.murraysbrewingco.com.au/web2010/beersPage.php?21)

The Hunter Beer Co is a regular drop-in when up in the valley; the Cranky Pants IPA is a new one for me, so will give this a nudge today also.
Grandridge is there too; the three offerings will be familiar to those who frequent Dan Murphy's.

Harts Pub Brewer's Feast

Another beer festival for consideration. This one is in two week's time; I have commitments from 2 blokes already.

More details here: http://www.hartspub.com/hartspub/News-and-Events.htm

Again, let me know if you wish to meet up. I hope to be there earlier rather than later.

Paddy's Brewer's Market Festival

Just got handed this flyer by Dave (from eponymous homebrew store). I have it diarised, and assuming approval from the committee, hope to attend. Sydney-based blog followers are encouraged to let me know if you want to meet up.

Paddy's Brewer's Market Festival

Saturday 9th October From 12pm Free Entry

25 Micro Brewed Beers On Tap $3 Per Middy

Meet your local brewers including St Peter's Brewery, Badlands Brewery, Potters Brewery, Murray's Craft Brewing Co, The Happy Goblin Brewery, Lord Nelson Brewery, Mountain Ridge Brewery, The Rocks Brewing Co., 4 Pines Brewing, Black Duck Brewery and of course Paddy's Brewery!

There will be a couple of new breweries making an appearance so don't miss a great chance to try some truly awesome beers!

The only Beer Festival where the man who brewed the beer is the... man who is pouring the beer!

Platinum Cellars Beer Haul

SPOILER ALERT: If you are Bob or Chris, the contents of this post pertain to our Father's Day gathering; don't read on if you prefer to be surprised on Sunday.

Geez I love Platinum Cellars. Adam Bellamy, the owner and my host today, apologised for the current lack of range. I mean, if THAT'S what they call a lack of range, then I'd gladly suffer it over the FULL range of any other bottle shop in Sydney.

So, what to buy ? I have two not-necessarily-aligned motives: the first to find something I've never had before; the second to find something Bob & Chris have never had before.  But since they themselves have started frequenting Platinum, it's just getting harder on both fronts.

Today's haul:

• Meantime IPA
• Dupont La Biere de Beloeil
• Chatoe Rogue Wet Hop Ale
• Collesi Imper Ale
• De Molen Porter
• Cantillon "Lou Pepe" Gueuze 2006
• Bridge Road Chevalier Saison
• St Bernardus Abt 12
• Trois Pistoles
• Bridge Road B2 Bomber
• Rogue Eugene City Brewery 200 Meter Ale
• Nogne O #100
• Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast Speyside Edition

Those I've had before
The Meantime IPA is a delightful drink. More caramelly than heavilly bitter, it is however very, very well balanced.
Chatoe Rogue Wet Hop. Drank this a couple of months back, before knowing that Chris had a Rogue tasting planned. So, this is to make up for that oversight.
Bridge Road Chevalier Saison. My 2008 notes on this are of an uncomplicated drink; yet I think it's worth revisiting.
St Bernardus Abt 12. One of the world's best beers, and often used as a debating example of why certain Trappistes are not the be-all-and-end-all. Haven't tasted this since 2006. Looking forward to it,
Trois Pistoles. Simply to stock up on Unibrou beers, who don't export to Australia anymore.

The Others
Dupont.... always try beers from Dupont
Collesi. A new Italian craft brewery with great reviews
Cantillon. The benchmark in sour beers. As with Dupont, always try the Cantillon.
Bridge Road B2 Bomber. Adam gave this to me as a 13th-to-the-dozen. Hard to say no.....
Eugene City. Something different, and from Rogue, so will be very interesting.
Nogne O. Well, one of the world's finest new wave brewers. I could have bought more, but chose instead to keep both kidneys.
De Molen: ditto
Mikkeler: ditto, although it was tempting to try the "Highland" aged version, as well as the "Speyside" aged version. Getting ridiculous here.

Reviews to come...

PS. Try to top that, Bob & Chris