Beer Cartel Xmas Advent Calendar 2019

It’s almost that time of year again and I want to share with you how I’ll be counting down to Christmas.

After a fun time, last year, I opted to go with Beer Cartel again this year, main reasons were the price – I got a discount for ordering early – and the fact that each year they change what’s in it.

It looks amazing!

This year’s carton/ calendar has undergone some changes.

It’s cans only.

It’s shorter – so it can fit in the fridge.

It’s 5x5 so it could fit x25 beers.

My carton arrived in pristine condition, I put it away so it was safe until needed.

A couple of days later I receive an email, a text message and see on Facebook that one of the beers has been recalled due to being canned too early… meaning its ABV could be a lot higher or that it could explode at any moment – it needs to be disposed of.

I'm sure it would have tasted amazing - if canned at the right time...

Not only do I not have a beer for Xmas Day now but I now know what it is…

Apparently 4,800 cartons were affected – too many to send a last-minute different beer so through a survey the company has given everyone one of four options about what they want to do.

I have opted to have the beers cost sent to the Rural Fire Service who are going through hell on the mainland.

So now I will be on the hunt for another beer for Xmas day.

But I still have a great way to countdown to one of the best times of the year.

I will be updating what surprises are hiding inside as we go through December.

Cheers,

Dave

Miners Gold Brewery West Street Ale

A new brewery has opened up in my back yard and it looks like they are doing some great things.

Working out of Beaconsfield, known for its mining history, Miners Gold Brewery is still a work in progress as they undergo renovations.

I have yet to visit the brewery but it will happen soon.

Their first beer I have tried is the West Street Ale, a 4.8% Pale Ale with chewy caramel malt and grapefruit bitterness undertones.

The new brewery opened in July this year, they aim to brew beers with ‘character and pair them with food that showcases the incredible fresh produce of the West Tamar region’.

Beers on launch night

It turns out that their head brewer – Stu Grant – is the owner of Ocho Beer, I have mentioned them before for their radical beers and yummy Christmas themed brews. 

Try the West Street Ale and see for yourself why some of the best beers these days are coming out of Tasmania. 

Cheers, 

Dave

Epic Hop Zombie

My spooky end to October was celebrated with a green can with a living dead vibe.

New Zealand Craft Brewer, Epic have brought this edition up from the ground, rotting flesh and all.

"Hops have taken over the world. Permeated the senses of the minions. Hop Zombies now roam the streets. Lupulin ichor oozing from ravaged legions. Gorging, gouging, masticating. Salivating over insane hop flavours and aromas. The time is nigh. No more festering away in hopless oblivion. Join the Hop Zombie revolution."

As the name suggests this beer was a delight on the senses, or should I say it put my senses into overdrive, like I had walked onto the set of the Walking Dead this beer could raise the dead.

I'm sure Darryl would smash a few of these!

A really good beer for this time of the year at 8.5% (2.2 drinks in a 330ml can) this can cost me just over $10 but it was worth it.

I’ve had a few of Epic’s brews before, this is another good one by them!

Cheers,

Dave