SLOWBEER NEWS - ARRIVALS, GROWLERS & TASTINGS

No doubt there are quite a few nursing sore heads of a morning as we power through the many events that Good Beer Week has to offer. With ours officially kicking off last night, it was a great turnout & we are getting ready to do it all again on Sunday for another group of eager beer lovers. If you haven’t finalized your GBW plans, follow the link as there are still plenty of exciting events to choose from. In store, there are some brand spanking new arrivals this week both in bottles & for growler offering. Full details below.

NEW RELEASES
FROM AUSTRALIA
Grand Ridge Whoa! Wet Hop Ale 330ml $5.50 – Brewed with oatmeal & experimental fresh hops thrown into the boil wet. Expect vibrant fruit aroma & creamy palate.
Van Dieman Hedgerow Autumn Berry Ale 500ml $13.50 – Harvest ale with English leanings but 6 week maturation on rose hips, sloe & hawthorn berries provide a unique twist.
Van Dieman White Hills Wit 330ml $4.50 – Belgian style wheat beer brewed with orange peel & coriander seeds, possessing light, subtle & refreshing citrus notes.
Van Dieman Ragged Jack Pale 330ml $4.50 – Classic English style pale ale, delicate floral hop aroma & earthy bitterness with a touch of malt to balance.
Van Dieman Jacobs Ladder Amber 330ml $4.50 – English style amber ale, rich caramel & toffee malt, with a touch of citrus fruit hop aroma.
Van Dieman Stacks Bluff Oatmeal Stout 330ml $4.50 - Smooth oatmeal stout possessing espresso notes subtle vanilla from the use of beans in the brew.

FROM USA
ACME California IPA 355ml $5.00 – West Coast IPA, biscuit & caramel malt backbone with robust hop character on nose & palate.
North Coast Red Seal Ale 355ml $4.00 – Very much in the US style, rich caramel & toffee malt with vibrant citrus fruit aroma & robust piney finish.
North Coast Pranqster 355ml $7.00 – Belgian style strong golden ale, subtle floral & fruity nose, a touch of malt sweetness & earthy/spicy hop & yeast character.
North Coast Le Merle 750ml $20.00 – Belgian style farmhouse ale, light & effervescent but exceptionally complex earthy spice hop & yeast notes are the showcase.
North Coast Brother Thelonius 355ml $8.50 – Belgian style strong dark ale, rich, slightly sweet caramel with dark fruit & spice notes.
North Coast Old Rasputin Imperial Stout 355ml $6.50 – Highly acclaimed brew, in the Russian imperial stout style, exceptionally rich & robust but very well balanced.

FILLING FOR GROWLERS
BRIDGE RD DOG’S BREAKFAST
A celebration of the brewery’s 500th brew batch & something very much left of centre, with seemingly everything but the kitchen sink thrown into the boil. As the old saying goes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so to echo this sentiment brewer Ben has opted to use all manner of breakfast ingredients in this offering. The base beer is a roasty dark lager brewed with smoked malt, for subtle cured/smoked bacon notes while additions of coffee, tea, fruit toast, muesli, maple syrup & honey provide all you could ever want in brew. Despite what the name suggests, this brew is excellently balanced with all elements provide nuance & harmony. A crazily delightful concoction indeed!
If you don’t already have a growler, bottles are $15 each, while a fill of Bridge Rd Dog’s Breakfast is $25.00.

SLOWBEER’S GOOD BEER WEEK TASTINGS – NOW SOLD OUT!
With the vision & guidance of some notable Melbourne beer loving folk, good beer week (GBW) is a new initiative celebrating all that is great about craft beer. Beer lovers around the city will be treated to an array of events at some of the best local beer venues.

Given the occasion we thought it apt to offer our most comprehensive, ambitious & overall exciting tasting session yet! You will be guided through the vast beer world, looking at offerings from old & new producers of both classic & obscure styles, comparing locally produced examples with those from abroad. Cheeses, dips, pastes & other tasty morsels will also be matched to compliment & contrast, providing a truly universal beer experience!

Check website for full list of events: http://www.goodbeerweek.com/GBW/gbw.html

SLOWBEER NEWS - ARRIVALS, GROWLERS & TASTINGS

Its the calm before the storm, as beer lovers gear up for a big one with Good Beer Week just a matter of days away! As usual, we have plenty of exciting new stock hitting the shelves this week & the pending addition of another amazing North American brewery in time for GBW. We also have two brilliant new beers lined up for growlers, with one being tapped this weekend & the other available all week next week, just in time for the launch of our growler fill loyalty cards. Last but not least, our GBW tasting events are now full & promise to be great fun for those who got in early enough! Full details below.

NEW RELEASES & FRESH STOCKS
FROM AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
8 Wired istout 500ml $15.00 – Second annual release of this amazing brew but first time hitting our shores. Robust, yet restrained with excellent dark roasted malt & hop balance.
Croucher Patriot American Black Ale 500ml $12.00 - A lot of buzz around this brew & a style that appears to be very much in vogue at the moment. Dark malt & heaps of hops.
Mike’s Organic Pilsner 330ml $7.00 – You just can’t knock a kiwi pilsner, vibrant floral & fruity hop aroma with grassy, spicy bitterness, who says lagers are boring?!
Mikes Organic Ale 330ml $7.00 – Essentially an English mild, light on abv but full on flavor. Rich malt without the heaviness & a touch of hop character to balance.
Mike’s Limited Release Organic IPA 750ml $29.00 – Many have been raving about this for a while now but don’t be fooled by the organic tag, this is a big, ballsy IPA!
Moo Brew Pilsner 330ml $5.00 – A few years since this offering has been available on the mainland. More traditional in style than most, with floral & earthy hop character.

FROM ITALY
Cittavecchia Karnera 375ml $10.50 – Italian craft beer tends to be quite underrated, with this robust stout showing great balance & elegance.

FROM UK
Orkney Dark Island Reserve 750ml $45.00 – One of my fav beers, strong ale aged in Dalmore whisky casks for 3 months. Amazing balance & complexity.
Orkney Dark Island 500ml $9.00 – Dark, rich & a deep complexity that belies its 4.5%abv package.
Orkney Dragonhead Stout 500ml $9.00 – Another great example of restraint, with a balanced & complex stout coming in at 4%abv.
Orkney Red MacGregor 500ml $9.00 – Traditional malt focused bitter of 4%abv.
Orkney Skullsplitter 330ml $7.00 – The benchmark for the scotch ale/wee heavy style, rich caramel/toffee malt, a touch of roast with dark fruit & spice, classic!
Meantime IPA 750ml $22.00 – Its back! This amazing IPA with its rich malt, floral/fruity hop aroma & robust earthy bitterness. Easy to see why this is much loved.
Meantime London Porter 750ml $22.00 – Sits in the shadows of their IPA somewhat but an equally amazing brew, rich caramel & chocolate fudge & some dark roast to balance.
Meantime Chocolate 330ml $8.00 – What's not to like here? Rich & dark with chocolate in spades.
Traquair Jacobite Ale 330ml $11.00 – Another of my all time favs. Rich, malty strong ale uniquely spiced with coriander seeds, attributing a delightful sweet spice character.

FROM USA
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale 330ml $7.50 – Much like all Sierra Nevada offerings this possesses amazing malt & hop balance, tilting ever so slightly towards a robust hop profile.

FILLING FOR GROWLERS
MOUNTAIN GOAT FANCY PANTS
Over the years this gem hasn’t tended to travel too far from the brewery & given our proximity to Goat HQ, the same applies once more. Essentially an American inspired amber ale, rich caramel & toffee malt with copious amounts of new world hops added to the boil, so expect a vibrant fruity hop aroma with robust bitterness on the finish. A decent amount of weight on the palate, providing us with a nice cool weather hop fix but easy drinking enough to make a growler full a delight to drink! The keg will be tapped on Friday & once gone, its gone. If you don’t already have a growler, bottles are $15 each, while a fill of Mountain Goat Fancy Pants is $25.
UP NEXT WEEK: BRIDGE RD DOG’S BREAKFAST

SLOW(BEER) WEDNESDAY SPECIALS!
If you know anything about us, you would be aware that our pricing is always very sharp, if not the best in the country. But that’s not to say that we should rest on our laurels & maintain the same old prices. On Wednesdays we will have a variety of deals on offer that will change as stock dictates. Hopefully giving you a chance to try those amazing beers, that ordinarily may be a tad out of your price range or even just the opportunity to pick up a great deal on your favorite craft beers. So swing by on Wednesdays to take full advantage. *DEALS ONLY RUN IN STORE ON WEDNESDAYS & CHANGE AS STOCK DICTATES. NO FURTHER DISCOUNT ON THESE ITEMS.

OUR GOOD BEER WEEK TASTINGS ARE NOW SOLD OUT!

SLOWBEER NEWS - ARRIVALS, GROWLERS & TASTINGS

Its nice to be back to normal trading off the back of an extra long break, with plenty of exciting new releases hitting the shelves, plus the usual delicious growler offerings & upcoming tasting info.

NEW RELEASES & FRESH STOCKS
FROM AUSTRALIA
Bridge Rd The Harvest 330ml $5.50 – After powering through a number of kegs a few weeks ago, its great to be graced with bottles of this tantalizingly hoppy brew!
Hargreaves Hill AD Abbey Dubbel 750ml $21.00 – First time this release has seen bottles, a Belgian strong dark ale with rich & complex dark fruit & yeast spice
Holgate Beelzebb’s Jewels 750ml $65.00 – Having tweaked the recipe a touch, this 12.5%abv pinot noir barrel aged Belgian quadruple is back!
Kooinda Karaka Rasberry Wibtier 750ml $25.00 – Infatuated with the Belgian witbier style, this version is uniquely brewed with locally sourced karaka berries & raspberries
Red Hill Hop Harvest Ale 330ml $5.50 – One of my favs & essentially an English special bitter, rich caramel toffee malt with floral & spicy fresh hop character

FROM UK
Brewdog Abstrakt AB:05 375ml $37.00 – Next release in the series, a Belgian style imperial stout brewed with toasted coconut & cacao
Brewdog IPA is Dead Mixed 4pk $30.00 – A masterstroke & brilliant learning tool for the hop lover, with all 4 single hop ipas being exceptionally unique
Brewdog IPA is Dead Bramling X 330ml $8.50 – UK variety, floral nose with resiny bitterness
Brewdog IPA is Dead Sorachi Ace 330ml $8.50 – Amazing Japanese variety, lemon on the nose with citrus rind bitterness
Brewdog IPA is Dead Nelson Sauvin 330ml $8.50 – Kiwi variety, over tropical fruit & grassy bitterness
Brewdog IPA is Dead Citra 330ml $8.50 – Relatively new but popular US variety, grapefruit nose with piney bitterness
Brewdog Punk IPA Can 330ml $5.00 – Yep, in cans! Put all those negative thoughts aside & just enjoy this deliciously fresh & hoppy brew

FILLING FOR GROWLERS
BRIDGE RD BREWERS THE HARVEST ALE
Shrouded in secretary is this annual fresh hop harvest brew. Apparently the hops used are from the local Rostrevor Garden, varieties: unknown! Brewer Ben tells us that it has changed quite a bit from previous versions, with the hopping suitably more robust. Essentially a pale ale base, with copious amounts of new world hop varieties used for a vibrant fruity aroma & robust bitterness on the finish.
*If you don’t already have a growler, bottles are $15 each, while a fill of Bridge Rd Harvest is $25.

SLOW(BEER) WEDNESDAY SPECIALS!
If you know anything about us, you would be aware that our pricing is always very sharp, if not the best in the country. But that’s not to say that we should rest on our laurels & maintain the same old prices. On Wednesdays we will have a variety of deals on offer that will change as stock dictates. Hopefully giving you a chance to try those amazing beers, that ordinarily may be a tad out of your price range or even just the opportunity to pick up a great deal on your favorite craft beers. So swing by on Wednesdays to take full advantage. *DEALS ONLY RUN IN STORE ON WEDNESDAYS & CHANGE AS STOCK DICTATES. NO FURTHER DISCOUNT ON THESE ITEMS.

GOOD BEER WEEK TASTINGS – ALMOST FULL, GET IN QUICK!
With the vision & guidance of some notable Melbourne beer loving folk, good beer week (GBW) is a new initiative celebrating all that is great about craft beer. Beer lovers around the city will be treated to an array of events at some of the best local beer venues.

Given the occasion we thought it apt to offer our most comprehensive, ambitious & overall exciting tasting session yet! You will be guided through the vast beer world, looking at offerings from old & new producers of both classic & obscure styles, comparing locally produced examples with those from abroad. Cheeses, dips, pastes & other tasty morsels will also be matched to compliment & contrast, providing a truly universal beer experience!

Slowbeer Presents “AROUND THE (BEER) WORLD IN 18 WAYS”
Old World Classics
Belgian Styles
Dupont Saison & Otway Saison
Trappsite Rochefort 8 & Holgate Double Trouble
German Stlyes
Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen & Bridge Road Brewers Hans Klopek’s Hefeweizen
Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock & 3 Ravens Dark Smoke
English Styles
Timothy Taylor Landlord Ale & Murrays Punch & Judy’s Ale
Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout & Brewboys Ace of Spades Stout

Modern Craft Benchmarks
Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale & Stone & Wood Pacific Ale
New World Pilsner
Emersons Pilsner & Knappstein Lager
Coffee Stout
Amager & Mikkeller Hr Fredriksen Vaesel Brunch & Burleigh Brewing Black Giraffe

THE IMPORTANT BITS:
When: BOTH Wednesday 18th May 7pm & Sunday 22nd May 7pm
Cost: $40 to try ALL beer & food pairings (Over $150 value!)
+ Attendees receive 10% DISCOUNT on any purchase that night
IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND, LET US KNOW WHICH SESSION SO THAT WE CAN CONFIRM NUMBERS ASAP!

SLOWBEER NEWS - ARRIVALS, GROWLERS & TASTINGS

Pretty disrupted week this one but no doubt a great opportunity for us all to get stuck into some cracking beers. As you are no doubt aware, Friday & Sunday are Easter public holidays & as such we will be closed those days, so be sure to get your extra long weekend beery goodness organized in time!

EASTER SELECTIONS
Holgate Temptress 330ml $5.00 - A perennial fav among many, brewed with Dutch cocoa & vanilla, its inclusion is a must!
Steam Exchange Truffles 330ml $5.50 – Highly excitable out of the bottle but still tastes delish, fortified with bourbon, this dark ale tastes like choc truffles
Emersons Taieri George 500ml $12.00 – Hot cross buns in liquid form, a Belgian strong dark ale spiced with orange, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg...the list goes on!
Mikkeller Fra Til 750ml $32.00 – In actual fact an xmas beer, however given this porter is spiced with orange & coriander, it seemed a more than worthy inclusion
RCH Ale Mary 500ml $8.00 – Another xmas beer that is brewed with orange & ginger, so the rich dark fruit malt notes & spice is reminiscent of hot cross buns
Jagiello Magnus Chocolate 330ml $4.50 – Uber sweet but winning a lot of people over, overt choc fudge with sweetness in spades, why not? Its Easter right?
Jagiello Magnus Original 330ml $4.50 – Somewhat more restrained as far as the choc goes but still plenty of caramel fudge sweetness with a touch of choc

FILLING FOR GROWLERS
HOLGATE EMPRESS MOCHA PORTER
Have been sitting on this one for a little while & thought now was as good a time as any to unleash it! Having bee been hotly anticipated since its debut at the Taphouse GABS a couple of months ago, since then it has popped up on tap at a few other venues across the city & they response continues to be overwhelmingly positive. Essentially a suped up version of the above mentioned temptress, the addition of coffee to the already present coco & vanilla, gives you a tasty mocha overload. Be sure to share this one, unless of course you are a glutton for punishment as it weighs in at a deliciously dangerous 10% abv! KEG WILL BE TAPPED ON SATURDAY but get in quick as this one will be gone in no time!
*If you don’t already have a growler, bottles are $15 each, while a fill of Holgate Empress is $35.

SLOW(BEER) WEDNESDAY SPECIALS!
If you know anything about us, you would be aware that our pricing is always very sharp, if not the best in the country. But that’s not to say that we should rest on our laurels & maintain the same old prices. On Wednesdays we will have a variety of deals on offer that will change as stock dictates. Hopefully giving you a chance to try those amazing beers, that ordinarily may be a tad out of your price range or even just the opportunity to pick up a great deal on your favorite craft beers. So swing by on Wednesdays to take full advantage. *DEALS ONLY RUN IN STORE ON WEDNESDAYS & CHANGE AS STOCK DICTATES. NO FURTHER DISCOUNT ON THESE ITEMS.

JAPAN AID TASTING – NEXT WEEK!
No doubt everyone is aware of the terrible situation being faced by the people of Japan. However, what some don’t know is that they have a burgeoning craft beer industry. So we thought it appropriate to raise awareness of the many great brews from the land of the rising sun & also take the opportunity to raise some money for a good cause!

BEERS ON TASTING INCLUDE:
Hitachino White Ale – Belgian style wheat beer, brewed with orange, coriander, cinnamon & nutmeg
Hitachino Red Rice Ale – Unique ale brewed with red rice, for a slightly sweet-sour palate & clean finish
Hitachino Japanese Classic Ale – English IPA to my tastes & excellent one at that. Aged in cedar casks, complimenting herbally hop character
Hitachino XH – Belgian style dark ale, aged in shochu (distilled sake) casks
Hitachino Espresso Stout – Amazingly robust coffee stout with truckloads of bittersweet roasted malt & coffee notes
Baird Single Take Session Ale – Light but delicious ale brewed with Belgian yeast & US hops
Baird Carpenters Mikan Ale – Pale malt, wheat & sugars used as well as native mikan fruit with US hops complimenting the citrus notes
Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA – Brilliantly robust US style IPA, coming in at close to 100IBU
Baird Angry Boy Brown Ale – US inspired with some lightly roasted malts bringing a caramel nut character with robust hop bitterness
Baird Dark Sky Imperial Stout – Insanely robust with masses of molasses, choc fudge & licorice

THE IMPORTANT BITS:
When: Wednesday 27th April 7pm
Cost: $30 to try ALL beers, with proceeds being donated to Red Cross Tsunami Appeal
+ Attendees receive 10% DISCOUNT on any purchase that night
IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND, PLEASE LET US KNOW SO THAT WE CAN CONFIRM NUMBERS ASAP!

GOOD BEER WEEK TASTINGS – ALMOST FULL, GET IN QUICK!
With the vision & guidance of some notable Melbourne beer loving folk, good beer week (GBW) is a new initiative celebrating all that is great about craft beer. Beer lovers around the city will be treated to an array of events at some of the best local beer venues.

Given the occasion we thought it apt to offer our most comprehensive, ambitious & overall exciting tasting session yet! You will be guided through the vast beer world, looking at offerings from old & new producers of both classic & obscure styles, comparing locally produced examples with those from abroad. Cheeses, dips, pastes & other tasty morsels will also be matched to compliment & contrast, providing a truly universal beer experience!

Slowbeer Presents “AROUND THE (BEER) WORLD IN 18 WAYS”
Old World Classics
Belgian Styles
Dupont Saison & Otway Saison
Trappsite Rochefort 8 & Holgate Double Trouble
German Stlyes
Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen & Bridge Road Brewers Hans Klopek’s Hefeweizen
Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock & 3 Ravens Dark Smoke
English Styles
Timothy Taylor Landlord Ale & Murrays Punch & Judy’s Ale
Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout & Brewboys Ace of Spades Stout

Modern Craft Benchmarks
Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale & Stone & Wood Pacific Ale
New World Pilsner
Emersons Pilsner & Knappstein Lager
Coffee Stout
Amager & Mikkeller Hr Fredriksen Vaesel Brunch & Burleigh Brewing Black Giraffe

THE IMPORTANT BITS:
When: BOTH Wednesday 18th May 7pm & Sunday 22nd May 7pm
Cost: $40 to try ALL beer & food pairings (Over $150 value!)
+ Attendees receive 10% DISCOUNT on any purchase that night
IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND, LET US KNOW WHICH SESSION SO THAT WE CAN CONFIRM NUMBERS ASAP!

SLOWBEER NEWS - ARRIVALS, GROWLERS & TASTINGS

Plenty of interesting new stock this week with positions still available for both of our upcoming tasting nights but be sure to get in quick! Also, the arrival of an excellent offering for growlers, Full details below.

EASTER TRADING
As you are all no doubt aware, next Friday & Sunday are Easter public holidays & as such we will be closed those days, while being open on the Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday as usual for all your Easter beery needs!

NEW ARRIVALS & FRESH STOCKS
FROM AUS & NZ
3 Ravens Double Ale Noir 750ml $21.00 – Blend of 2 vintages of smoke beer, first aged in Pinot noir barrels for 10 months, while the second 6 weeks.
Doss Blockos Pale Lager 330ml $3.50 – Style over substance? Presentation is certainly unique, the beer not so much, light & easy drinking
Little Creatures Single Batch Marzen 568ml $6.00 – A bit of a departure from previous single batches being a rich malty lager
Murrays Angry Man Brown Ale 330ml $7.00 – US inspired brown ale, caramel nut malt with a touch of roast & robust hop bitterness
Steam Exchange Truffles 330ml $5.50 – Fortified with bourbon, sounds odd but tastes like yummy choc rum balls!
Croucher Pilsner 500ml $9.50 – A potential challenger to Emersons Pils in the best new world pilsner battle, brilliant!
Emersons Taieri George 500ml $12.00 – Amazing annual release, Belgian style spiced strong dark ale. Liquid hot cross buns!

FROM DENMARK
Beer Here Morke 500ml $14.00 – Pumpernickel Porter disappeared very quickly last time but we managed to score the last stock in Oz!
Mikkeller Viktoria 750ml $43.00 – Exceptionally rich porter, caramel & choc fudge sweetness with robust dark roasted malt

FROM JAPAN
Baird Single Take Session Ale 360ml $7.50 – Light but delicious ale brewed with Belgian yeast & US hops
Baird Rising Sun Pale Ale 360ml $8.00 – US style, light honey malt with aromatic & robust hop character
Baird Carpenters Mikan Ale 633ml $17.00 – Brewed with native mikan fruit & US hops complimenting the citrus notes
Baird Teikoku IPA 360ml $8.50 – Part English, part US IPA, rich caramel malt with aromatic hop nose & bitterness
Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA 360ml $9.00 – Brilliantly robust US style IPA, coming in at close to 100IBU
Baird Angry Boy Brown Ale 360ml $8.50 – US inspired, lightly roasted malts bringing a caramel nut character with robust hop bitterness
Baird Dark Sky Imperial Stout 633ml $18.00 – Insanely robust with masses of molasses, choc fudge & licorice

FROM UK
Crouch Vale Brewers Gold 500ml $8.00 – Classic English pale, light malt, floral hope aroma & a nice cleansing bitterness
Hopdaemon Skirmshander 500ml $8.00 – English IPA, caramel & toffee malt with floral hop aroma & elevated bitterness on the finish
Hogsback OTT 500ml $8.00 - Winter warmer style, rich malt with sweet dark fruit & a touch of roast
RCH Old Slug Porter 500ml $7.00 – Traditional style porter, rich chocolate, coffee as well as some dark fruit notes
RCH Ale Mary 500ml $7.50 – Winter warmer, strong ale brewed with ginger, cloves, cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg & pimento, yum!
Traquair Jacobite Ale 330ml $11.00 – Amazing brew & one of my all time favs, brewed to 18th Century recipe, rich dark malt with dark fruit notes & spiced with coriander.

FILLING FOR GROWLERS
BRIDGE RD BREWERS THE HARVEST ALE
Shrouded in secretary is this annual fresh hop harvest brew. Apparently the hops used are from the local Rostrevor Garden, varieties: unknown! Brewer Ben tells us that it has changed quite a bit from previous versions, with the hopping suitably more robust. Essentially a pale ale base, with copious amounts of new world hop varieties used for a vibrant fruity aroma & robust bitterness on the finish.
*If you don’t already have a growler, bottles are $15 each, while a fill of Bridge Rd Harvest is $25.

SLOW(BEER) WEDNESDAY SPECIALS!
If you know anything about us, you would be aware that our pricing is always very sharp, if not the best in the country. But that’s not to say that we should rest on our laurels & maintain the same old prices. On Wednesdays we will have a variety of deals on offer that will change as stock dictates. Hopefully giving you a chance to try those amazing beers, that ordinarily may be a tad out of your price range or even just the opportunity to pick up a great deal on your favorite craft beers. So swing by on Wednesdays to take advantage of the great deals. *DEALS ONLY RUN IN STORE ON WEDNESDAYS & CHANGE AS STOCK DICTATES. NO FURTHER DISCOUNT ON THESE ITEMS.

JAPAN AID TASTING
No doubt everyone is aware of the terrible situation being faced by the people of Japan. However, what some don’t know is that they have a burgeoning craft beer industry. So we thought it appropriate to raise awareness of the many great brews from the land of the rising sun & also take the opportunity to raise some money for a good cause!

BEERS ON TASTING INCLUDE:
Hitachino White Ale – Belgian style wheat beer, brewed with orange, coriander, cinnamon & nutmeg
Hitachino Red Rice Ale – Unique ale brewed with red rice, for a slightly sweet-sour palate & clean finish
Hitachino Japanese Classic Ale – English IPA to my tastes & excellent one at that. Aged in cedar casks, complimenting herbally hop character
Hitachino XH – Belgian style dark ale, aged in shochu (distilled sake) casks
Hitachino Espresso Stout – Amazingly robust coffee stout with truckloads of bittersweet roasted malt & coffee notes
Baird Single Take Session Ale – Light but delicious ale brewed with Belgian yeast & US hops
Baird Carpenters Mikan Ale – Pale malt, wheat & sugars used as well as native mikan fruit with US hops complimenting the citrus notes
Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA – Brilliantly robust US style IPA, coming in at close to 100IBU
Baird Angry Boy Brown Ale – US inspired with some lightly roasted malts bringing a caramel nut character with robust hop bitterness
Baird Dark Sky Imperial Stout – Insanely robust with masses of molasses, choc fudge & licorice

THE IMPORTANT BITS:
When: Wednesday 27th April 7pm
Cost: $30 to try ALL beers, with proceeds being donated to Red Cross Tsunami Appeal
+ Attendees receive 10% DISCOUNT on any purchase that night
IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND, PLEASE LET US KNOW SO THAT WE CAN CONFIRM NUMBERS ASAP!

GOOD BEER WEEK TASTINGS
With the vision & guidance of some notable Melbourne beer loving folk, good beer week (GBW) is a new initiative celebrating all that is great about craft beer. Beer lovers around the city will be treated to an array of events at some of the best local beer venues.

Given the occasion we thought it apt to offer our most comprehensive, ambitious & overall exciting tasting session yet! You will be guided through the vast beer world, looking at offerings from old & new producers of both classic & obscure styles, comparing locally produced examples with those from abroad. Cheeses, dips, pastes & other tasty morsels will also be matched to compliment & contrast, providing a truly universal beer experience!

Slowbeer Presents “AROUND THE (BEER) WORLD IN 18 WAYS”
Old World Classics
Belgian Styles
Dupont Saison & Otway Saison
Trappsite Rochefort 8 & Holgate Double Trouble
German Stlyes
Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen & Bridge Road Brewers Hans Klopek’s Hefeweizen
Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock & 3 Ravens Dark Smoke
English Styles
Timothy Taylor Landlord Ale & Murrays Punch & Judy’s Ale
Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout & Brewboys Ace of Spades Stout

Modern Craft Benchmarks
Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale & Stone & Wood Pacific Ale
New World Pilsner
Emersons Pilsner & Knappstein Lager
Coffee Stout
Amager & Mikkeller Hr Fredriksen Vaesel Brunch & Burleigh Brewing Black Giraffe

THE IMPORTANT BITS:
When: BOTH Wednesday 18th May 7pm & Sunday 22nd May 7pm
Cost: $40 to try ALL beer & food pairings (Over $150 value!)
+ Attendees receive 10% DISCOUNT on any purchase that night
IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND, LET US KNOW WHICH SESSION SO THAT WE CAN CONFIRM NUMBERS ASAP!

SLOWBEER SPECIALS & TASTINGS

Once again, quite a bit to get through this week, with a new initiative, as well as plenty of tastings in the works & of course the usual arrival of some fresh stocks from some of the worlds greatest craft breweries.

SLOW(BEER) WEDNESDAY SPECIALS!
If you know anything about us, you would be aware that our pricing is always very sharp, if not the best in the country. But that’s not to say that we should rest on our laurels & maintain the same old prices. So on Wednesdays we will have a variety of deals on offer that will change as stock dictates. Hopefully giving you a chance to try those amazing beers, that ordinarily may be a tad out of your price range or even just the opportunity to pick up a great deal on your favorite craft beers.

BULK BUYS
Murrays Icon2IPA 4pk $20.00 (normally $25)
Murrays Icon2IPA Cube $70 (normally $93)
Murrays Grand Cru 4pk (normally $25)
Murrays Grand Cru Cube $70 (normally $93)

DEADLY DISCOUNTS
Mikkeller 15% OFF any in range
De Molen 15% OFF any in range
Durham 15% OFF any in range
Les Trois Mousquetaires 15% OFF any in range

DOUBLE DEALS
Unibroue Terrible 750ml 2 FOR $35 (normally $23.00 each)
Unibroue Maudite 750ml 2 FOR $25 (normally $17.50 each)
Unibroue La Fin Du Monde 750ml 2 FOR $25 (normally $17.50 each)
Phoenix Beer 2 FOR $10 (Normally $5.50 each)
*DEALS ONLY RUN IN STORE ON WEDNESDAYS & CHANGE AS STOCK DICTATES.
*NO FURTHER DISCOUNT ON THESE ITEMS.

JAGIELLO TASTING TOMORROW
After a bit of miscommunication, I can confirm that the Jagiello tasting will indeed be this week & not last week, as previously advertised.
We just recently received a shipment of some exceptionally morish Polish beers, all very much in the bock mould (think rich, malty lager). To get people acquainted with the range, we will have them all on FREE tasting this TOMORROW, FRIDAY 8TH APRIL 5-7pm. I have a feeling they will be polarizing beers given their overall malty, sweet profile but certainly enjoyable nonetheless, dessert beers if you will. So swing by for a chat & a taste to see what you think.

Maguns Original 330ml – Original & the best? Rich, dark & malty with overt caramel, chocolate fudge & lingering sweet finish
Magnus Chocolate 330ml – Similar to above however, with dominating chocolate fudge sweetness & a touch of drier cocoa
Magnus Cherry 330ml – Apparently very popular in Poland, rich cherry sweetness reminiscent of black forest cake, simple but tasty
Magnus Honey 330ml – The lightest of the lot, however still maintains a sweet, honey flavor on the palate

JAPAN AID TASTING
No doubt everyone is aware of the terrible situation being faced by the people of Japan. However, what some don’t know is that they have a burgeoning craft beer industry. So we thought it appropriate to raise awareness of the many great brews from the land of the rising sun & also take the opportunity to raise some money for a good cause!

BEERS ON TASTING INCLUDE:
Hitachino White Ale – Belgian style wheat beer, brewed with orange, coriander, cinnamon & nutmeg
Hitachino Red Rice Ale – Unique ale brewed with red rice, for a slightly sweet-sour palate & clean finish
Hitachino Japanese Classic Ale – English IPA to my tastes & excellent one at that. Aged in cedar casks, complimenting herbally hop character
Hitachino XH – Belgian style dark ale, aged in shochu (distilled sake) casks
Hitachino Espresso Stout – Amazingly robust coffee stout with truckloads of bittersweet roasted malt & coffee notes
Baird Single Take Session Ale – Light but delicious ale brewed with Belgian yeast & US hops
Baird Carpenters Mikan Ale – Pale malt, wheat & sugars used as well as native mikan fruit with US hops complimenting the citrus notes
Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA – Brilliantly robust US style IPA, coming in at close to 100IBU
Baird Angry Boy Brown Ale – US inspired with some lightly roasted malts bringing a caramel nut character with robust hop bitterness
Baird Dark Sky Imperial Stout – Insanely robust with masses of molasses, choc fudge & licorice

THE IMPORTANT BITS:
When: Wednesday 27th April 7pm
Cost: $30 to try ALL beers, with proceeds being donated to Red Cross
+ Attendees receive 10% DISCOUNT on any purchase that night
IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND, PLEASE LET US KNOW SO THAT WE CAN CONFIRM NUMBERS ASAP!

GOOD BEER WEEK TASTINGS
With the vision & guidance of some notable Melbourne beer loving folk, good beer week (GBW) is a new initiative celebrating all that is great about craft beer. Beer lovers around the city will be treated to an array of events at some of the best local beer venues.

Given the occasion we thought it apt to offer our most comprehensive, ambitious & overall exciting tasting session yet! You will be guided through the vast beer world, looking at offerings from old & new producers of both classic & obscure styles, comparing locally produced examples with those from abroad. Cheeses, dips, pastes & other tasty morsels will also be matched to compliment & contrast, providing a truly universal beer experience!

Slowbeer Presents “AROUND THE (BEER) WORLD IN 18 WAYS”
Old World Classics
Belgian Styles
Dupont Saison & Otway Saison
Trappsite Rochefort 8 & Holgate Double Trouble
German Stlyes
Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen & Bridge Road Brewers Hans Klopek’s Hefeweizen
Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock & 3 Ravens Dark Smoke
English Styles
Timothy Taylor Landlord Ale & Murrays Punch & Judy’s Ale
Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout & Brewboys Ace of Spades Stout

Modern Craft Benchmarks
Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale & Stone & Wood Pacific Ale
New World Pilsner
Emersons Pilsner & Knappstein Lager
Coffee Stout
Amager & Mikkeller Hr Fredriksen Vaesel Brunch & Burleigh Brewing Black Giraffe

THE IMPORTANT BITS:
When: BOTH Wednesday 18th May 7pm & Sunday 22nd May 7pm
Cost: $40 to try ALL beer & food pairings (Over $150 value!)
+ Attendees receive 10% DISCOUNT on any purchase that night
IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND, LET US KNOW WHICH SESSION SO THAT WE CAN CONFIRM NUMBERS ASAP!

NOW FILLING ON GROWLERS
HAAND IPA (NOR)
Having promised the arrival of some kegs from our new Norwegian friends last week, its only natural that we follow through. Much like the rest of the range, this IPA isn’t your normal hopfeast. It is brewed with wild hops that grow near the brewery, variety unknown...at least to everyone but the brewers. Expect some rich caramel malt to provide a base with which the vibrant hop aroma & robust bitterness can shine.
*If you don’t already have a growler, bottles are $15 each, while a fill of Haand IPA is $35

SLOWBEER'S NEWS, REVIEWS & ARRIVALS

Plenty to get through this week with tastings, growlers & the usual influx of exciting new stock hitting the shelves from breweries local & abroad. The arrival of the Haand range of beers from Norway is no doubt a welcome addition to our ever growing Scandi craft range, with a few kegs in the mix as well. We have also put the finishing touches on our Good Beer Week offerings & a tasting this Friday evening, see below for full details.

FEATURE BREWERY
HAAND BRYGGERIET (NORWAY)
A truly unique brewery, treading perhaps a more traditional route than most Scandi brewers, utilizing a wild house yeast & some interesting ingredients, in a throwback to ancient brewing practices.

Pale Ale 500ml $10.00 – Traditional English style pale ale, some richer malts with late kettle hopping for an aromatic but easy drinking profile
Dobbel Dose IPA 500ml $12.00 – Robust IPA brewed with copious amounts of European hops, as apposed to the usual US varieties
Hesjeol 500ml $10.00 – Farmhouse style, brewed with barley, oat, rye & wild house yeast, floral hop aroma & refreshing fruity & spicy hop finish
Haandbic 500ml $12.00 – Inspired by Belgian lambics, brewed using wild house yeast for a unique funky, tangy fruit sourness
Good Force 500ml $12.00 – Sister of the brewery’s famed dark force, this version is a 10% abv pale wheat beer brewed with chamomile flowers
Royk Uten Ild 500ml $12.00 – Brewed with wheat, Bamberg smoked malt & interestingly US Amarillo hops
Norwegian Wood 500ml $11.00 – Recreation of traditional Norse beer, brewed with smoked malt, juniper twigs & berries
Farewell Ale 500ml $11.00 - Rich dark ale brewed with wild house yeast for a fruity & spicy character
+ A limited amount of Haand Glassware

NEW RELEASES
FROM AUSTRALIA
3 Ravens Uber Blonde Sticke Alt 500ml $9.00 – Amped up version of their regular golden ale, which is a German style altbier hailing from dusseldorf
2 Brothers Grizz American Amber Ale 330ml $6.00 – Nice fruity hop aroma with rich caramel & toffee malt on the palate
2 Brothers The Chief Oktoberfest/Marzen $6.00 – Malty, rich with honey & caramel notes but a clean lager finish
Mountain Goat Thorny Goat BIPA 650ml $10.00 – Collab with Thornbridge of UK, dark malt, a touch of roast & big new world hop character

JAGIELLO TASTING THIS WEEK
We just recently received a shipment of some exceptionally morish Polish beers, all very much in the bock mould (think rich, malty lager). To get people acquainted with the range, we will have them all on FREE tasting this FRIDAY 1ST APRIL 5-7pm. I have a feeling they will be polarizing beers given their overall malty, sweet profile but certainly enjoyable nonetheless, dessert beers if you will. So swing by for a chat & a taste to see what you think.

Maguns Original 330ml – Original & the best? Rich, dark & malty with overt caramel, chocolate fudge & lingering sweet finish
Magnus Chocolate 330ml – Similar to above however, with dominating chocolate fudge sweetness & a touch of drier cocoa
Magnus Cherry 330ml – Apparently very popular in Poland, rich cherry sweetness reminiscent of black forest cake, simple but tasty
Magnus Honey 330ml – The lightest of the lot, however still maintains a sweet, honey flavor on the palate

Good Beer Week Tastings
With the vision & guidance of some notable Melbourne beer loving folk, good beer week (GBW) is a new initiative celebrating all that is great about craft beer. Beer lovers around the city will be treated to an array of events at some of the best local beer venues.

Given the occasion we thought it apt to offer our most comprehensive, ambitious & overall exciting tasting session yet! You will be guided through the vast beer world, looking at offerings from old & new producers of both classic & obscure styles, comparing locally produced examples with those from abroad. Cheeses, dips, pastes & other tasty morsels will also be matched to compliment & contrast, providing a truly universal beer experience!

Slowbeer Presents “AROUND THE (BEER) WORLD IN 18 WAYS”
Old World Classics
Belgian Styles

• Dupont Saison & Otway Saison
• Trappsite Rochefort 8 & Holgate Double Trouble
  

German Stlyes

• Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen & Bridge Road Brewers Hans Klopek’s Hefeweizen
• Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock & 3 Ravens Dark Smoke
  

English Styles

• Timothy Taylor Landlord Ale & Murrays Punch & Judy’s Ale
• Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout & Brewboys Ace of Spades Stout
  

Modern Craft Benchmarks
Pale Ale

• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale & Stone & Wood Pacific Ale
  

New World Pilsner

• Emersons Pilsner & Knappstein Lager
  

Coffee Stout

• Amager & Mikkeller Hr Fredriksen Vaesel Brunch & Burleigh Brewing Black Giraffe
  

The Finer Details:
When: BOTH Wednesday 18th May 7pm & Sunday 22nd May 7pm
Cost: $40 to try ALL beer & food pairings (Over $150 value!)
+ Attendees receive 10% DISCOUNT on any purchase that night
IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND, LET US KNOW WHICH SESSION SO THAT WE CAN CONFIRM NUMBERS ASAP!

NOW FILLING ON GROWLERS
BREWDOG 5AM SAINT
Proving very popular last time around, this amazingly robust yet drinkable Brewdog offering keeps many a palate pleased. Styled as an American Amber/Red Ale, it has that unmistakable US hop aroma of citrus & pine, while the malt profile of the style provides some richer caramel & toffee notes on the mid-palate. The finish is unmistakably Brewdog with a robust hop bitterness on the finish. Delightfully drinkable but enough pop for the hop heads!
*If you don’t already have a growler, bottles are $15 each, while a fill of Brewdog 5AM Saint is $25

SLOWBEER'S XMAS NEWS, REVIEWS & ARRIVALS!

Getting in earlier than usual, as we are gearing up for a big few weeks in the lead up to Christmas! Our festive tasting sessions are almost completely full, so get in quick if you are still keen. Additionally, the shelves are chock-full of brilliant beers, a few of my favorites being featured below. Lastly, we will be extending our trading days the next 2 weeks leading up to the big day. Starting Tues 14th we will be open every day until Christmas for all your beery needs!

XMAS TRADING
TUE 14/12: 2pm-7pm
WED 15/12: 2pm-7pm
THU 16/12: 12pm-8pm
FRI 17/12: 12pm-8pm
SAT 18/12: 12pm-8pm
SUN 19/12: 2pm-7pm
MON 20/12: 2pm-7pm
TUE 21/12: 2pm-7pm
WED 22/12: 2pm-7pm
THU 23/12: 12pm-8pm
FRI 24/12: 10am-8pm

FEATURE BEERS
Chouffe Houblon IPA Tripel 750ml $17.00
What is the world coming to when a classic Belgian brewery decides to produce their own interpretation of an American interpretation of a Belgian IPA...confused?! Regardless of its origins or rationale, this is a cracker of a beer! As you can imagine it is big in hop bitterness, however as a departure from normal US IPAs, this utilizes more traditional hop varieties, resulting in a big earthy, spicy hop aroma & bitterness. Keeping with the Belgian style, that trademark yeast comes into play, accentuating the earthy, spicy character while adding a touch of citrus fruit. Absolute classic of a beer & perhaps one of my all time favs!

Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van de Keizer Blue 750ml $18.00
Yet another one of my favorite brews, that can be exceptionally hard to get a hold of, purely for the fact that it is only brewed once a year. Describing this as big & rich would be a supreme understatement! Layers of rich caramel & toffee sweetness, with raisins, figs & a lovely fruit spice character on the finish. A meal & dessert beer rolled into one, that could easily rival any tokay or dessert wine. Enjoy it over Christmas or cellar well into the next few years.

NEW ARRIVALS
Red Duck Burton Strong Bitter 330ml $5.50
Its been a few years since we last saw this seasonal brew & it really speaks volumes of the brewery’s stylistic influence & approach. Very much a tribute to the home of pale ales, the water used in the brew is adjusted to match that of burton-on-trent, with a sulfate like mineral tang. Specialty malts are selected as the backbone of the brew, while the bitterness is actually relatively subdued (despite the name). A classic, classy brew indeed.

Red Duck Red Admiral 330ml $6.00
Based on the celtic red ales, this brew is all about the malt. Rich in colour & flavour profile with notes of treacle, as well as plums, raisins & stewed fruits. Interestingly, the use of a relatively new US hop variety (glacier) provides plenty of aroma, however unlike most other US hops, is low in alpha acids (bitterness), which overall serves this beer very well.

Red Duck White Garden 330ml $6.00
Super excited about this one, purely for the fact that it sounds like such an interesting brew. Apparently a hybrid of Belgian Witbier & Berliner Weisse styles with the addition of raspberry & rhubarb! The guys wanted to pay homage to the Berliner Weisse style, however produce an example that is a little more approachable & less sour, hence the Belgian witbier base. However, unlike a witbier, there are no spices or orange peel added, instead raspberry & rhubarb, of which the natural sugars & sweetness, disappear during fermentation. What we are left with is an appealing pinky-white ale, with vibrant fruit aroma & flavour but no sweetness, while there is a lightly tart acidity on the finish to cleanse the palate.

FILLING ON GROWLERS
BREWDOG (SCO) Hardcore Imperial IPA
This one has been hotly anticipated the past few weeks & is being at tapped at seemingly a perfect time. This being a reincarnation of the previous hardcore, having won best Imperial IPA at the Beer World Cup earlier this year. Certainly no mean feat given the stiff competition in that particular category. As you’d expect this brew is brimming with high alpha US hop varieties, namely centennial, columbus & simcoe, both in the boil & to dry hop. Some lighter malts are employed to provide the slightest touch of counter balance, however this one is all about the hops! Big citrus & pine is the order of the day with a robust, bordering on aggressive hop bitterness. You’ve been warned!
Filling from tomorrow & continuing until the keg is dry! $35 for the fill.

Also, given the sheer demand for growler fills & the fact that we currently have no supply of actual growler bottles, we are working on offering temporary 2L PET bottles, enabling everyone to get fills of the tasty beers we offer! Temporary ones will hopefully be about 1 week away but we will keep you posted.

JOLLY CHRISTMAS TASTING – ALMOST FULL, LAST CHANCE!
Something that isn't so heavily practiced here, however breweries the world over, tend to produce some very interesting & festive brews for the period & as such we will have a number of them on offer.

Mikkeller Santa’s Little Helper – This Belgian style strong ale has all the bells & whistles, spiced with orange & coriander.
Delirium Noel – One of the highly elusive brews from this crazy producer, its enjoyable for the bottle/label alone!
St Feuillien Noel – Clearly Xmas beers are a Belgian thing, this abbey example has a touch of sweetness with dark fruit & spice.
St Bernardus Kert – Their regular Abt 12 gets plenty plaudits & this is the Christmas version, yummy pudding in a glass!
Chouffe N’ice – Apparently the wintery little gnome on the label is responsible for this delicious festive brew.
Baladin Noel – Festive brew from this unique & at times peculiar producer. Chocolate & fruit spice goodness in liquid form!
Schloss Eggenberg Samichlaus – This exceedingly rich & malty lager, known as the cognac of beers, weighing in at a hefty 14% abv!
Red Hill Christmas Ale – One of the few local breweries to get into the Christmas spirit, styled as a Belgian strong ale.
Hunter Christmas Beer – Another local hopefully following the trend for dark spiced, festive brews.

When: BOTH Wednesday 15th December 7pm & Sunday 19th December 7pm
Cost: $30.00 to try ALL beers ($160 value!)
+ Attendees receive 10% DISCOUNT on any beer purchase that night
IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND PLEASE LET US KNOW WHICH SESSION, SO THAT WE CAN CONFIRM NUMBERS ASAP!