BEER! mmmmm....

[FoundationStepper]

oh dear you have been serious these past few days

im far from offended

[Fents]

brewed 85litres of pale ale yesterday. chinook, cascade, amarillo and more chinook hops. just got through a 40L keg before i brewed this and it was so good i thinks its going to become my house beer.

[FoundationStepper]

its a good point though, just thinking beers.

theres few places ive been where the tap selection impresses me, and im usually happy to try variety by the bottle, in terms of coming across something new

how many options do we have in terms of places with a good rotation and variety on tap? lambsgo is the only one i can recall really

[Direkt]

I really want to try Lambs Go... have heard such good things, just don't make it northside too much these days.

I know it sounds like I work for The Local - but I have no relation to them, other than a regular, whatsoever. They change through about a tap a week on average.

European Beer Cafe in the city is pretty good, but not exactly cheap. Maybe around 10 different brews on tap.

Belgian Beer Cafe, obviously specialises in the Belgium variety and doesn't roll through the varieties too often, but nice beers all the same.

Elephant and Wheelbarrow is pretty good, specialising in British beers obviously.

The Squires and Little Creatures establishments sport their range of beers.

Other than that... what other places have a decent selection of taps? Hmmmm....

[same o]

i had a beer in byron called stone & wood.

was awesome.

tastes like it has weed in it.

very fruity taste.

[Fents]

and direkt a place having all botlles and no taps is not that bad, just remember that over 80% of overseas beers we cant get on tap over here..im talking the likes of sierra nevada pale ale, dogfish head ale, 120minute IPA, IIPA's, timothy taylor lanlord and so on. Even for the best pilsner on the world (pilsner urquell imo) you have to buy it in bottles.

so a place with good beer and no taps is better than a place with shit beer and lots of taps and im sure you agree on that.

worst thing is all those beers i mentioned above taste so much fresher out of a tap or a hand pumped cask...we miss out on so much over here, lucky we have kick ass local micros that make world standard beers.

[Direkt]

so a place with good beer and no taps is better than a place with shit beer and lots of taps and im sure you agree on that.

Couldn't agree more mate. No doubt.

My only gripe (and I know I'm a grumpy old tight-ass fart) is that when it's in a bottle, I can buy it cheaper and drink it at home, at a mates house or at a BBQ etc...

I love nothing more than a good, fresh beer pulled well from a tap.

And YES - Oz Micro's are kicking major arse right now.

[Fents]

so a place with good beer and no taps is better than a place with shit beer and lots of taps and im sure you agree on that.

Couldn't agree more mate. No doubt.

My only gripe (and I know I'm a grumpy old tight-ass fart) is that when it's in a bottle, I can buy it cheaper and drink it at home, at a mates house or at a BBQ etc...

I love nothing more than a good, fresh beer pulled well from a tap.

oh for sure but even still dans dosnt stock half those beers you have to venture to platnium cellars or somewhere like that which is ass away for me.

and damn straight nothing beats pulling a fresh pot from a tap...thats why i have two.

[tee193]

mmm long weekend mmm beers mmm death

[same o]

fents like pulling beers

[Direkt]

oh for sure but even still dans dosnt stock half those beers you have to venture to platnium cellars or somewhere like that which is ass away for me.

and damn straight nothing beats pulling a fresh pot from a tap...thats why i have two.

Ya lucky bastard!

Platinum cellars?

[huge]

lol direkt you're a bit odd aren't you.

[Direkt]

I guess so

[Direkt]

The Local Taphouse - Hottest 100 Aussie Brews of 2008

According the hundreds of people who voted from around Australia, the Hottest 100 Aussie Brews of 2008 were... (drumroll)...


1 Little Creatures Pale Ale
2 Murray's Icon 2IPA
3 Mountain Goat Hightail Ale
4 Knappstein Reserve Lager
5 Little Creatures Bright Ale
6 James Squire Golden Ale
7 Coopers Sparkling Ale
8 Coopers Pale Ale
9 Holgate Mt Macedon Pale Ale
10 James Squire Amber Ale
11 Jamieson 'The Beast' IPA
12 Murray's Nirvana Pale Ale
13 Holgate ESB
14 Hargreaves Hill ESB
15 Murray's Grand Cru
16 Nail Stout
17 Matilda Bay Alpha Pale Ale
18 Holgate Hopinator Double IPA, Red Hill Imperial Stout
20 Moo Brew Pale Ale
21 James Squire Pilsner
22 Bridge Road Chevalier Saison
23 Coopers Best Extra Stout
24 James Squire IPA
25 Nail Ale
26 Murray's Anniversary Ale
27 Feral White
28 Hargreaves Hill Pale, Holgate Pilsner
30 Holgate Chocolate Porter, Murray's Pilsner
32 Barons Black Wattle Ale
33 Matilda Bay RedBack Wheat Beer
34 Murray's Sassy Blonde
35 Murrays Best Extra Porter
36 Bluetongue Premium Lager, Mountain Goat Pale Ale, Temple Saison
39 Burleigh Brewing's Duke Pale Ale, Coopers Vintage Ale
41 Holgate Big Reg
42 Mountain Goat IPA
43 Matilda Bay Bohemian Pilzner, Murray's 'Wild Thing' Imperial Stout, Red Hill Scotch Ale, Red Hill Weizenbock, Redoak Baltic Porter
48 Bright Brewery Staircase Porter
49 2 Brothers Growler, Red Hill Bohemian Pilsner
51 Bridge Road Brewers Bling IPA
52 Bright Brewery Fainters Double
53 Colonial IPA, Pepperjack Ale
55 Gage Roads IPA
56 Red Hill Hop Harvest
57 Little Creatures Rogers
58 Matilda Bay Rooftop Red, Temple Pale Ale
60 3 Ravens Black, Bright Brewery Razor Witbier
62 Burleigh Brewing's Duke Hefeweizen, James Squire Porter, Mountain Goat Fancy Pants, Mountain Goat Surefoot Stout
66 James Boags Premium
67 3 Ravens Dark, Holgate White Ale
69 Grand Ridge Gippsland Gold, Moo Brew Dark
71 3 Ravens Blonde
72 Feral Hop Hog IPA, Mildura Brewery Storm Ale, Steam Exchange IPA
75 Jamieson Son of a Beast DIPA, Northern Rivers Stout
77 3 Ravens 55 American Pale Ale, Grand Ridge Moonshine, Holgate Double Trouble
80 Bridge Road Brewers Pale Ale, Southwark Stout
82 Bridge Road Chevalier Biere de Garde, Bright Brewery Blowhard Pale, Little Creatures Pilsner, Redoak Rauchbier Märzen
86 Barons ESB, Bright Brewery Hellfire, New Norcia Abbey Ale, Redoak ESB, Snowy Mountains Crackenback Pale Ale
91 Coopers Dark Ale Crown Lager, Feral Razorback, Hahn Premium, Temple Special Bitter
96 Red Duck Pale Ale
97 Hunter Smoked APA, Red Angus Pilsener
99 Red Hill Christmas Ale, Tooheys Old
100 Barons Lemon Myrtle, Carlton Draught, Jarrah Jacks Pale Ale, Moo Brew Pilsner, Wicked Elf Witbier

http://thelocaltaphouse.blogspot.com/

[Fents]

fuck thats a list and a half, sooooo good to see murrays 2IPA up there, its a beast and an indian pale ale.

[quick]

100 Carlton Draught

YAY!!!

[Direkt]

100 Carlton Draught

YAY!!!

Surely there was some donkey voting going on there!

Fents: good list huh? Most of my votes made it in the top 30.

How nice would an icey-cold one be right now?

[Lizkins]

putting your glass in the freezer for a while and then pour beer into it. fricken awesome for heat like we are having.

considering beer slurpee tonight. i got one of those ice crushing machines to make snow cones. beer will work over crushed ice for sure yeah? it might water down the beer a bit though hmmmm

[witty_pseudonym]

that sounds filth liz. lol. straight up or gtfo.

a few average ones in that top 10 imo.

[Lizkins]

you just jealous

[Direkt]

putting your glass in the freezer for a while and then pour beer into it. fricken awesome for heat like we are having.

You shouldn't do this unless you have a dedicated freezer.

The odours from the freezer will affect how your beer smells and subsequently tastes. But other than that, a frosty glass sure nice - especially on a hot day.

considering beer slurpee tonight. i got one of those ice crushing machines to make snow cones. beer will work over crushed ice for sure yeah? it might water down the beer a bit though hmmmm

It will water down and remove flavour from it, but seeing as though you drink Draught that could be a good thing.

[Direkt]

a few average ones in that top 10 imo.

Other than the Holgate, I see none... but I know which ones you're talking about.

Coopers, right?

I wouldn't put them in the top 10 - but they're still good beers IMO.

[witty_pseudonym]

yup.

i'd rejiggle if i had my way. some i've not tried though.
i need to check out this joint i think.

[Lizkins]

putting your glass in the freezer for a while and then pour beer into it. fricken awesome for heat like we are having.

You shouldn't do this unless you have a dedicated freezer.

The odours from the freezer will affect how your beer smells and subsequently tastes. But other than that, a frosty glass sure nice - especially on a hot day.

considering beer slurpee tonight. i got one of those ice crushing machines to make snow cones. beer will work over crushed ice for sure yeah? it might water down the beer a bit though hmmmm

It will water down and remove flavour from it, but seeing as though you drink Draught that could be a good thing.

and




actually we have two freezers so the glasses ain't get affected by smells or anything cos they are in the freezer with just ice. sorted

mmmm draught num num num

[Direkt]

Oooh... dedicated freezer!

Jealous.

[huge]

fucking good list that. not tried the number 2 yet. will get onto it!

glass in the freezer is fine. its hardly like you're drinking $50 bottle of beer lol.

liz you should get into cider on ice.

[Lizkins]

ok

[Direkt]

glass in the freezer is fine. its hardly like you're drinking $50 bottle of beer lol.

Oh right... sorry.

[huge]

or unless you have some chopped up onions or something in the cup.

[Direkt]

Each to their own homestead.

I used to ice my glasses up all the time. But I do notice strange smells (that ol' freezer smell) on iced glasses, and ice cubes etc. At one of the beer courses I went to it was put forward as a no-no, along with washing your beer glasses in a standard dishwasher - drying them with tea-towels, over handling the glasswear etc - pedantic, I know - but it's not hard to do.

If a brewer goes to the effort to give a certain aroma and flavour to his beer, you should try not to mess with it, where possible - and if you care.

But, hey - beauty is in the eye of the beerholder... rah-rah-rah

PS: although it sounds like it, my freezer isn't filthy

[same o]

list needs more stone & wood..

wish i was in byron

[quick]

wish i was in byron

fuck off then...

[same o]

wish i was in byron

fuck off then...

i am still waiting for u to love me......

[Fents]

good old beer myths. liz keep freezing your glass's trust me the colder you serve something like a cralton the better, just dont be trying it woith a murrays 2IPA...

and the beer slushie aint so gross witty - theres a type of beer called an eisbock. basically you make a normal beer and put it in the keg the freeze the keg and what it does is it separates the water from the alcohol, then you drain off the alcohol and it comes out at like a 10% beer, few of them and its bye bye......then you get to eat all the "light beer (read water with beer taste)" as a slushie!

i've frozen kegs before, not on purpose but it does happen.

[Direkt]

What cha mean about beer myths hombre?

[FoundationStepper]

Remembering diff beers for diff occasions... i think coopers sit ok near the top ten, being a good 'standard' drop?

[quick]

Remembering diff beers for diff occasions... i think coopers sit ok near the top ten, being a good 'standard' drop?

too true... this is how I judge a good beer... if I always feel like a certain beer or could drink it any time, then its better than a beer i only crave once now and again...

[Fents]

keeping glass's in freezers making them smelly, having to wash glass's by hand and not put them in the dishwasher, homebrew tastes like shit, the darker the beer the more alcohol, beat the beer gut with low carb beer, wine is more complex than beer.....where do i stop could go on forever?

[Direkt]

Mate... they're not all myths.

If there are smells in a freezer that has cold air circulating, stands to reason it's going to end up on the frost of the glass. Ever tasted ice cubes that have odours on them? I certainly have. Being that smell makes up a large portion of what you taste, I'd reckon this is important if you're serious about beer.

And glass has tiny little divets in it. Standard dishwasher soap is very fine and can get stuck in these. I don't need to tell you that soap is certainly not the friend of beer, particularly the head.

Places like Belgian Beer Cafe use commercial dishwashers and use special soap just to combat this problem. I don't think they spend the extra coin for the fun of it.

Low carb beer does have less carbs, but the difference isn't as big as the breweries/marketers make it out to be - true.

Those other ones are just stupid though

[Fents]

Mate... they're not all myths.

If there are smells in a freezer that has cold air circulating, stands to reason it's going to end up on the frost of the glass. Ever tasted ice cubes that have odours on them? I certainly have. Being that smell makes up a large portion of what you taste, I'd reckon this is important if you're serious about beer.

Yes i have tasted ice that tastes like shit - think about it tho mate - do your ice cube trays magically fill up when the freezer freeze's or do you fill them up with cold water from your tap and then freeze them? might want to check what your drinking water tastes like cause i have never heard of anyone tasting off "frost" from a freezer - plus the amount of frost you get on a glass when you freeze it is minimal and when you pour a beer it dissapates back into water anyways - i bet if you frosted a glass and the un frosted it and measured the amount of water than runs off the glass and put it in an eye dropper it would be five fiths of fuckall - especailly not enough to spoil 285mls of beer with.....

And glass has tiny little divets in it. Standard dishwasher soap is very fine and can get stuck in these. I don't need to tell you that soap is certainly not the friend of beer, particularly the head.

are you talking about the brand "headmaster" that all pubs use? they do have tiny divets in the glass but only in the bottom and what this does is reacts with the c02 in the beer and releases those tiny bubbles that shoot for the top of the glass therefore keeping the head intact longer and making the punter happier. I've got about 20 diff types of glass's at home from headmaster's, to pints, to mini pints, chimay glass's, pilsners glass's the list goes on - all go through the dishwasher with those power ball things and not one glass does not hold a head...if it dosnt i know its the beer not the glass - some of the boys over at the AHB site reckon if your glass's start to fail start washing em with a steel scrubber and scrub the bottom of the glass with some bi carb and it should bring back the headmaster effect.....

Places like Belgian Beer Cafe use commercial dishwashers and use special soap just to combat this problem. I don't think they spend the extra coin for the fun of it.

All pubs use commercial dishwashers....when i worked at the excelsior and then the junction they just used this big thing o dishwashing liquid they got wholesale from a chemicals supplier...dont know whats so special about....next time your there hit em up and let me know.

Low carb beer does have less carbs, but the difference isn't as big as the breweries/marketers make it out to be - true.

sure do but what people dont realise is that a low carb beer is no better for you - for a healthier beer you want less kilojules/calarioes and for that to happen you have to have a low alcohol beer not a low carb beer. they advertise it as "low" and people just assume your going to loose weight becasue of it which is not the case at all....better off drinking light beer.

[huge]

you just got served!

[Lizkins]

Rach is one lucky lady *roar*

[Fents]

hes not standing at my bar yet i cant serve him! although he has been invited back and is coming over for a session soon...arnt ya met (least ya better be)

[Fents]

Rach is one lucky lady *roar*

is this a trick question lizzy? do i get multiple choices...?

[Direkt]

I hear you mate, and I approach any discussion on beer with you with much trepidation - as you are a bonafide beer baron.

My info came from what I would consider and hope to be a pretty good source. Can't remember his name, but he's a professional beer critic. He's from the US originally, but been here for years, writes for the Sun amongst a whole host of other publications.

He runs the beer information courses at the Belgian Beer Cafe. Big bloke, full of info.

The ice in my fridge isn't a result of my water - my water is fine. It definately comes from the freezer bud. And it's more about the aroma than the taste - although the two are obviously related. But... I haven't noticed it as much in a beer glass as I have in ice...

Re: the tiny divets in glasses. I thought I remember him saying that it's just a property of glass. That if you look at glass under a microscope - that's what it's surface looks like. But, maybe he was talking about a particular brand, I can't be sure. All I know is he said general dishwashing detergent is bad, and then asked the barman there to show us what they were using at the Belgian Beer Cafe. I don't personally have a dishwasher - but it sounds that it's not affecting your head retention. Next time I'm there, I'll enquire for you if you like. Or I'll ask the lads down at The Local.

Re: low-card beer. It's marketing bullshit. Lower carbs DOES help, but alcohol is the more important factor. Everything equates to stored/potential energy (kilojoules), be in alcohol, carbs, fats or proteins. But yeah - low alcohol beer, or water, would be much better for you. Interestingly, vodka is better for you then beer - per alcohol volume, kilojoule wise.

[Direkt]

hes not standing at my bar yet i cant serve him! although he has been invited back and is coming over for a session soon...arnt ya met (least ya better be)

Would love to mate!

[Lizkins]

Rach is one lucky lady *roar*

is this a trick question lizzy? do i get multiple choices...?

LOL no trick

[Fents]

yea all white spirits (gin,vodka, sake) are all good for the gut.

get cocko and yourself on the job mate i'd love to start tasting some of his beers...

[Direkt]

Done.

I'll word el cockorama up now. Although he's pretty much all out of AG at the moment.

[huge]

just had a brainwave.

corona + lemon calippo shoved in the top?