How to Grand Prix

One of my recent holidays was to Melbourne for my first Grand Prix, when I got there I realised I didn’t know that much about it…

I knew what the F1 racing cars were about, fast machines from across the world that compete for trophies, I’ve seen the V8 Supercars time and time again, but I had no idea what I was in for.

It turns out Australia have one driver in the competition, Daniel Ricciardo, his team being Red Bull Racing gave me another reason to want to support him. 

This is how you celebrate a win!

You can’t have a big event without beer, the Grand Prix was sponsored by Heineken who made sure the bars were always stocked with cans for the race hungry crowds.

I thought the V8 Super Cars were fast, they can go around Albert Park (the race track in Melbourne) in about two minutes. The Formula 1 cars do it in one minute twenty seconds. 

Race fans swarm an F1 car that stopped on the track

When you go to the Grand Prix you have to do a ‘shoey’, something Ricciardo didn’t invent but brought back into the spotlight. I didn’t have a sweaty racing shoe to drink out of, but I bought some boot shaped stubby holders to use instead. 

Doing a Shoey!

While meeting many amazing people from around the country, I avoided sunburn, dehydration and almost exhaustion and still managed to have a good time... my feet hurt for days afterwards...

Staying hydrated is key...

Ricciardo came fourth overall, it turns out an Australian driver hasn’t won in Australia for quite some time, asking around it sounds like Lewis Hamilton doesn’t have much of a following… sorry if you are a Lewis Hamilton fan… 

I found this on eBay

Did you watch the Grand Prix and do a shoey?

Cheers,

Dave

Hop Nation Jedi Juice Neipa

Well, it feels like I’ve been to a galaxy far, far away and have just returned.

It has been a while between posts but I don’t want to keep any secrets from you.

A couple of years ago I discovered that an Australian craft beer company made a Star Wars themed beer along the lines of Imperial something with a stormtrooper on the can, it was all sold out by the time I found it, I was determined to strike next time something like that surfaced.

The moment a local craft beer stockist advertised Hop Nation’s Jedi Juice I was quick to get some. 

This beer will make you feel like a Jedi!

An image of Princess Leia on the can holding a blaster on a green background makes it obvious what theme it is…

… I have to admit, I didn’t realise the significance of the green backdrop until after I posted the picture to the Facebook page. It’s an outline of Yoda’s head.

If you get the chance to find and drink this beer and you are a Star Wars fan then well done, this limited release is an amazing piece of art, it was made for a festival in 2017 and made again due to popular demand. 

Darth Vader approves of this

This is the beer’s profile directly from Hop Nation’s website.

“Hazy, juicy and with a citrusy hop aroma – finishing off with intense flavour and a great mouthfeel. Featuring Riwaka, Nelson Sauvin, Citra and Mosaic hops – this beer will bring out the Jedi in everyone. Unified and unfiltered, the Jedi Juice pours quite hazy in the glass with a bright orange colour.”

Weighing in at 7.1% this was a pleasure to drink.

Hop Nation still has a link to order it by emailing them at info@hopnation.com.au.

Cheers,

Dave