Beer Travel - Atticus Finch

I think Melbourne has been doing these small bars really well for a couple of years now.

The big difference with Atticus Finch is that much effort is put into the beer, wine and spirits list. Heavy focus on micro and the unusual, including a number of local whisky options! (I have never seen this in town before).

Only 4 beers on taps but good ’uns (inc. 2 x Two Bros). Fair pricing. Great pre-drinks option as there are some cracking eating options very close by. Service is casual and very friendly. I’d rather have a quiet beer here than just about anywhere else in Melbourne.

Decent review from The Age here.............

Beer Travel - The Local Taphouse

Er...sorry Steve. I've been meaning to get your joint a crank for weeks now!!

Have been a few times and have say this is at least the most significant addition to the Melbourne quality beer bar scene since The Royston in Richmond. Popped in for a beer at the soft opening tonight and I was impressed. Classy fitout uncluttered, non-pretentious, not pool table / big screen TV bullshit. 21 taps with some really good kit (Beast IPA, Red Hill Blonde, Coopers Yellow, Redoak?, Dogbolter etc). Priced up a touch at about $4.5 - $5.0 for a glass but bugger it well worth the effort. Steve (owner) gives a shit about good beer and is committed to showcasing it properly. Could be the best place in Melb to have a beer.

I've been few times since including a session upstairs in the awesome outdoor deck bar.

This place is good for geeks but, as noted, on the pricey side. Then again, paying $5.80 for a pot of Jamieson 'Beast' IPA is, in relative terms, a bargain when Stella might be $4. Early noise is that taps will rotate on a regular basis. And it's the only pub in Melbourne I would go to a couple of times every month.

Update March 2008
The Local Tahouse has just launched The Local Taphouse’s Beer Bulletins which are sent by SMS to your mobile phone with the latest BEER news – events, latest taps beers (as soon as they’re tapped) etc. All you need to receive these occasional bulletins is to text the word ‘beer’ to 0447-LOCALS (0447 562 257). You can unsubscribe at any time.

Showcase taps coming up over the next few weeks include Jamieson’s Son of a Beast dIPA, Little Brewing Company’s Wicked Elf APA (winner Gold @ Sydney Show), Murray’s Grand Cru and Colonial’s Porter and Kölsch.

Beer Travel - New Zealand Report

We were lucky to spend a few weeks in NZ's South Island last October off the back of my brother's wedding near Queenstown. I made the effort to burn through as many local beers as possible and once again I walked away convinced that, pound-for-pound, per capita, whatever relative measure you like, New Zealand has a strong micro / quality beer scene that is probably superior to that in Australia.

Why?

Don't have any definitive answers but Kiwi micro scene can take strong encouragement from:

• A healthy community support for all cottage-style industries (not just beer), not the blind corporate allegiance we often see in Australia;


• A sensible recognition that NZ will never be a large scale player in most industries (dairy, forestry, sheep and rugby excepted!) and thus focus of making things 'best', not 'biggest'; and


• A strong sense of pride (well-placed) with respect to the ability of the country to compete with the world's best for all things epicurean.

I'll follow up this post with a bunch of tasting notes on the individual beers tasted. Below I have listed an enthusiast's view / opinion on some Kiwi beer haunts worth visiting........



Fresh Choice (Springlands, Blenheim) (Map)
So I've just flown into Christchurch from Melbourne and jumped straight into a hire car for a 4hr drive to Blenheim. Duly arrive at the motel, throw bags into room and stroll over to the supermarket over the road for supplies.

I stick my nose in the beer section, expecting few mainstream offerings at best. What I didn't expect was to walk out with 18 beers, and $150 lighter.

This place has nearly 300 beers including the entire 'who's who' of the NZ micro scene - Emerson's, Wanaka, Harrington's, Moa, Pink Elephant, Renaissance, Limburg, 3 Boys. It also had 10 serious lambics from the likes of Cantillon, Oud Beersel, Boon and Liefman. Every serious abbey and strong ale from Belgium, bar Westy.

How can this be? Why can't I source and sell such a great range in Australia? What a great result for the NZ beer geek. (and to be honest there would be be no gig for Cloudwine in flogging micro brews if Aussie supermarkets were like this).

BTW didn't find a better store in the whole of the South Island for the remainder of my trip.

Brew Moon (Amberley) (map)
There’s a lot to like about this simple road-side cafe just 30 minutes north of Christchurch. Serves a nice range of burgers, gourmet pizza and salads. All 4 house beers on tap. Nothing flash in terms of ambiance and fit-out but it sure works for me. Tasting tray $8.80 otherwise ~$4 for a 350ml serve.

The Twisted Hop (Christchurch) (map)
Pretty impressive drinking hole. Located in the newish alleyway precinct in central Christchurch the brew ’bar’ is right at home with micro fashion boutiques and ultra mod bars. The obvious drinking choice is the sample tray of 5 TH brews. $15 gets you very generous servings (perhaps 200ml each).

A handful of other top flight kiwi’s are on tap (inc. Emerson’s and 3 Boys) as well as 50 - 70 bottle choices from around the globe. Interesting, the pub makes a point of highlighting that fact that the bottled gear is NOT kept at near freezing point, rather they are kept in the fridge at sensible beer geek temps. Very good service, albeit stretched, and a must-visit when in town.

Dux de Lux (Queenstown) (map)
Mod cafe / bar / restaurant combo done well with an unlikely meshing of pool tables, big screen TVs and casual dining (burgers and the like $15 - $18). There is also a more formal dining area attached where pricing steps up to $25 - $33. The menus for both read well. 7 house beers on tap (pints $5 - $7) and for the most part are well worth trying, particularly the stout and Norwester Pale Ale.

Sprig & Fern (Nelson) (map)
One of 3 Sprig & Fern pubs attached to Harringtons / Tasman Brewing. This pub, housed in a beautifully converted Edwardian cottage just outside of the Nelson CBD, is one of the best pub / bar combos I have been to in Australasia (indeed perhaps the best). Full of locals from all walks of life as well as a never ending stream of folks coming in to fill up ’riggers’ (ie 2lt plastic bottles) of any one of the 20-odd Tasman / Harringtons brews on tap. The take-ways are sold at bargain prices (say $9 each). It warms the hart to see the locals showing such support for a small brewer (try finding this in Australia!).

Tasman Brewing Company (Richmond, Nelson) (map)
No longer part of the Harringtons brewery, at least in a legal sense, however they still brew a number of beers for this label, as well as plenty of beers under the Tasman Brewing tag. The brewery is just a simple shed in an industrial estate in Richmond but the tasting area is quite nice. All beers are available for sampling and for takeways either via rigger at around $9 (2lt bottle) or standard 330ml or 500ml bottlings. All up about 25 beers available. Service is very good and the beers can range from competent to very very good (ie Big John Reserve & Belgian Tempest).

Update from Far North Queensland

It's a great thing that FNQ has some amazing attractions (islands, rain forests, reef, scuba diving etc) as unfortunately the region is far from a beer and wine lover's delight. We are / have spent a week at Airlie Beach and have been profoundly disappointed at the range (and quality) of beer available at both retail and on-premise.

Taps have been limited (strictly) to XXXX, Lion Nathan options, the odd VB and at least one James Squire Amber ale. Not much better in the bottle 'o, although I have seen some Coopers. Does Stella count as 'interesting'?

Anyway, when in Rome......

XXXX Bitter (7/20)
This beer embodies all the qualities that makes mainstream Australian beer such a crap performer on the world stage. Stale malt aromas dominate the nose. Same again to taste and I’ll give a small nod to the bitterness onthe back palate....otherwise a big ’pass’ rating.

XXXX Gold Lager (8/20)
I’d drink this over the XXXX Bitter any day of the week, and for a mainstream low ABV beer it’s not a total disaster. Darkish golden hue; very safe looking. Non-descript stale malts and adjunct nose. Er...not much else. Similar to taste although as expected not much malt or flavour weight. Quite crip and dry, probably a good approach given it’s mid-strength intentions, and an ok mild sliver of bitterness to finish.

Red Stripe Lager (8/20)
I have pretty much re-stated my notes from 2 years. And guess what, the beer doesn't any different (or better) now. Pale gold, very clear, almost Corona like. Mild nose, some adjunct like sweetness, doesn’t provide much interest. More adjunct character in the mouth, a little stale. Er...malt?...hops? Dry finish, somewhat redeeming, and not unlike the Asahi I had to follow.

Magners Original Irish Cider (10/20)
Very commercial style, at least to an Australian palate. Pours a bright burnt orange, not unlike a pale lager. No head. Sweetish apple cider fruits on the nose with a mineral-like zing in the aromas. Flavours and palate structure don’t add much; plenty of fizz and syrupy sweet apple, a touch of musk, finishes dry. Very hard to see the ABV impact here, and need much more punch in this regard. Good enough after an afternoon jog in the tropics.

Bright Brewery Razor Witbier (15/20)

Aromas hit the nose as soon as the beer hits the glass. A quite instense sour lemon and perhaps orange, wafted over 3 feet! And maybe a hint of lambic sourness as well. Impressive. Great to look at; yellow body with a faint orange core. Heavy weight in the mouth. Powerful, almost thick in texture. Citrus fruits not really evident, rather the corriander and spice comes into play. Big thick aniseed finish pushes a bitter edge.

Matilda Bay Alpha Pale Ale (14/20)

Dull copper (or maybe light tan?) with a very thin creamy head. Highly aromatic nose of fruity, herbal resiny hops. Slightly more pedestrian to taste; resiny hops remain and infact they are a touch aggressive, but regardless they define the palate structure well. A touch too fizzy perhaps? This beer is in the next ball park when compared to the ’just going’ stablemates Beez Neez and Redback. (BB 3/08)

Gavroche (15/20)

I really liked this beer. Rocky white head early and thne thins sown to a modest foamy residue. Tan / dull copper in colour. Powerful aromas of dark fruits, sweet cakey malts and hints of scotch whiskey. The flavours are Belgian-like with respect to big heavy malts and traces of alcohol heat. It drinks every bit its 8.5% although it lightens a fraction on the finish with an excellent sweet oak finish. Some alcohol derived bitterness comes in very late, as do some pongy / stinky notes.

tIJ Struis (11/20)

Should have been another cracking beer from what is now one of favourite producers. Visually stunning, as is common for the house. Perfectly formed medium sized head, offwhite in colour. Glowing orange with a dull red core. Served in a chablis / chardonnay wine, which by the way worked a treat. Sweet candied malts on the nose together with minerals and cinnamon. Flavours unfortunately let the beer down I suspect this one has a bad case of the ’skunks’. Some cinnamon and spice of the palate, but quite mild and disapates as the skunky notes kick in. The palate is surprisingly light for a 9% with the alcohol barely registering any presence. I’ll rate this purely for record keeping purposes but clearly a sound sample would rate near or above 4.0.

Beer Travel - Bells Hotel (South Melbourne)

Had an hour to kill before dinner in South Melbourne so a refresher at Bells seemed appropriate enough. I should really have done my homework before penning this note but I would think Bells is the pioneering brew pub in Melbourne. The Ratebeer database indicates that 16 beers have been produced over the years but my visits over the past 2 indicate the core range probably doesn't exceed 5 or 6. Tonight the Hells Bells and the Summer Belle were on tap.

I've never been overly enamoured with the house brews but nevertheless they provide a viable alternative to CUB and Lion Nathan products. For a relatively mainstream pub there's a decent range of beers on tap (say 12), albeit, CUB specialty brands and affiliated imports. This pub puts particular emphasis on meals with much of the floor space devoted to dining. The tucker, generally speaking, is quite good.

The beers?

The Hells Bells (10/20) is a simple, inoffensive brew that is almost Vienna in style (sweetish caramel malts and low hop input). Consistent if not spectacular.

Whilst perhaps an object of interest for the beer geek in the past Bells now comes across as a bit of a relic from a by-gone era. For most punters I think Mountain Goat and Emerald Hill will hold more interest, albeit in less orthodox surroundings.

Beer Travel - Red Oak Boutique Beer Cafe (Sydney)

I make an effort to call into Red Oak every time I'm in Sydney for work. As many are likely aware brewer owner Dave Hollyoak and fellow owner (& sister) Janet craft a number of Australia's finest craft beers. They are also head and shoulders above every other Australian peer with respect to having the courage and skill to brew and wide range of Belgian, Germany and English benchmark styles (Canberra's Wig & Penn being an obvious exception), and nearly always produce successful interpretations.

The beers 'on-premise' aren't cheap - expect to pay at least $4 for a 250ml glass - but that's the price you pay (and justfiably so) for some of Australia's best hand-made brews. At last count some 36 beers have been brewed over time although perhaps 'only' 15 - 18 will be available at the cafe at any one time.

A bunch of considered beer tasting notes can be found at Rate Beer.

Brewery website here and location (via Google Maps) is here. Please make the effort when next in Sydney - these guys need our support.

.....and finally, and for what's it's worth, a couple tasting notes from a visit last week............

Red Oak Kolsch (12/20)
Fluffy creamy pure white head. Tangy fruits on the nose, albeit in a mild fashion, and a hint of chalk and minerals. Palate flavours are subtle. Mild malt weight, rather the beer is all about a crisp and sharp structure (w/ more chalk and mineral notes) that works well on this particularly hot day. Bread / yeast champagne-like flavours on a dry finish.

Red Oak IPA (14/20)
Near identical head to the kolsch - thick creamy, whiter than white. Attractive nose; a well itegrated combo of sweet fruitiness and green nettles from the hops. Very, very similar characters to taste in the front and middle palate. The finish, however, is dominated by quite a fierce hoppy / bitter punch. Resin-like notes linger on the tongue for a long time. Might be a touch aggressive and blocky on the finish but kudos to the brewery for having the guts to deliver a genuinely sharp and hoppy IPA.

Beer Travel - Emerald Hill Brewery

As we observed a good 18 months ago the Melbourne micro seen is starting to bubble. New Wave flag bearer Mountain Goat kicked off the Friday night drinks-at-the-brewery gig good while back and now South Melbourne's Emerald Hill is having a go. Situated in a small warehouse on Ross St (see map) the set up is very simple - uncluttered bar serving the wheat and pale on tap, fermentation tanks running down the western interior wall and some comfty couches and pews up the front. Cricket projected onto the wall was a nice touch on a pleasant barmy night.

Beers run at about $7.00 for a pint. As we have noted elsewhere they aren't world beaters but they are getting better and are certainty at least middle quartile for Oz boutiques.

More details at this web site....

Update 30/01.....just found a decent article on the brewery from Willie Simpson (The Age) from November 2006......

Small Beer, Willie Simpson, 21 November 2006The Age
"IT MIGHT well be the city's narrowest and most exclusive bar. The Emerald Hill Brewery in South Melbourne is wedged into a space the length of a cricket pitch and a mere five metres wide, and the bar is only open on Friday nights.

Melbourne's latest craft beer operation fired up in April and is run by Carl Jacobson (pictured), a chemical engineer by training. Jacobson is the brewer, but he gets plenty of back-up from his fellow investors, who are scattered around the globe.

One shareholder is our marketing person and they're based in Hong Kong," Jacobson says. "Our design engineer is in London." Several Emerald Hill partners who live a little closer to home helped construct the brewery/ bar, which Jacobson says was "an empty shell between two buildings" when they took over the lease late last year.

The bar's main feature is a solid hunk of recycled timber. A few comfy couches and armchairs provide seating for bar patrons, augmented by a pair of wooden pews that "came from a church in Essendon that was being turned into a child-care centre", Jacobson says.

The brewery equipment was built in Brisbane and sits on a concrete plinth opposite the bar (further narrowing the limited space). It includes three 2000-litre fermentation tanks, which bubble away in the background during my visit. "We're harking back to how beer used to be made," Jacobson says.

The brews we sampled included a cloudy wheat beer with nice banana notes and a chewy mid-palate. "We're going for a southern Bavarian hefeweizen style," he says. "My home-brewing mates' wives really love it." The pale ale uses English and Australian hops and is robustly bitter and yeasty.

Jacobson says he caught the home-brewing bug years some ago after tasting a colleague's brew. More recently he took his home brew around to prospective investors, telling them: "This is what we can make on a stove.

Apparently it wasn't too difficult to find backers, while Jacobson did most of the business planning, dealing with councils and tradesmen, and the paperwork. The bar officially opened for business in mid-June and, apart from the Friday night sessions, has also been hired for several private functions.

Emerald Hill is the original name of the South Melbourne town hall site, which apparently was once a green island surrounded by swamp. Jacobson says they plan to expand into other outside tap outlets and supply hand-bottled product into bottleshops and bars, but at last report they were still waiting on packaging to be printed. "

(both Emerald Hill beers available @ Cloudwine for $3.00)