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

Arc Valley Premium Light

My uncle offers me all kinds of weird and interesting beers when I visit, recently he handed me a new light to try, this one wasn’t bad.

This 2.7% beer from the Netherlands has a distinctive European bite and feel to it, of course it goes down well.

I’ve have another good beer from the country – Heineken – I wonder what else they make?

This beer seems to be all over the market here in Australia, consider it if you are going light some time.

Arc Valley also has a premium, I'll see if I can find it.

Drinking it gives me images of the tulip fields and windmills in the Netherlands.

Cheers,

Dave

Mountain Goat Beers

From Christmas I scored some beers new to me for presents, not having tried Mountain Goat before I was excited to have not one but two of their beers to put in my fridge.

Mountain Goat Summer Ale

In an orange can this bright looking beer is tailored for summer drinking. From their website they claim it has low bitterness but full of fruity, crisp characters. These went down very well over some of the hot days we got for summer in Tasmania.

Mountain Goat Pale Ale

Going from a Summer ale to something completely different this is a hop driven, American inspired Pale Ale, but still has a fruity bite to it. In a bottle, this one was part of a mixed six pack and has made me wonder why it has taken me this long to try Mountain Goat since they have at least two really good brews.

Mountain Goat has been going in Australia since 1997 where two friends wanted to shake up the beer market and create real and flavoursome brews. Based in Richmond, Victoria they also have a brewery bar, I’ll have to add to my list of places to visit.

I’ll hunt around for some more of their brews and happily share them with you.

Cheers,

Dave

MAKE sure you like the Facebook Page “Dave’s Beers of the World” where I update what I get up to and beer related news I hear.

There will also be a new addition with a weekly Facebook update of a stubby holder from my quite large collection, I’ll try and remember where I got it from and what it means to me.

Last Rites: We Have a Forklift Xmas Bright Ale

Just when I thought Christmas was well and truly over I was proven wrong.

On a wander through a Hobart shopping mall I was mysteriously called into the local Cellarbrations Bottleshop, I wasn’t sure at the time why I was called in there but after skimming through the stock I found something…

We Have a Forklift Xmas Bright Ale

The last one in stock, a Tasmanian made Christmas beer that I didn’t even know existed.

Of course, I bought it.

Back in the hotel room after it was chilled enough I cracked the can.

It tasted like Christmas had come back for a few more moments.

At 4.2% it was made from a variety of hops including chinook and centennial.

Information on this beer is scarce so I don’t have much to share.          

Rightfully named you would need a forklift to transport your cartons to the car.

Maybe they will make more this Christmas?

Cheers,

Dave

You'll need one of these!

Beerfest 2018 The Hangover

Another Beerfest is over, this year it went way too quick, so I tried to cram in as much in as I could.

I got a new hat!

Typical of Tasmania the weather didn’t know what it was doing with rain, wind and sun all in one afternoon.

I’ve been trying to work out the best beer, the best cider and the best food, the trouble is there was so many good things so I will share them with you.

The Beers

Morrison Pink Fizz: The Raspberry Sour beer I was talking about was a good drink, it has taken some time for me to like sour beers, this one has given me faith to stick by them.

T-Bone Brewing Watermelon Wheat: This was a surprise, previous watermelon beers haven’t been that good but this one with added watermelon juice was amazing, the beer flavour was complemented by the watermelon and wheat.

Soleil Lychee Infused Beer: Another out there beer this one was true to its name, having a cool, refreshing lychee flavour while still having the bite of a beer.

Goose Island IPA: This multi award winning beer lived up to its name, an amazing mainland drop that I hope can make it down to Tasmanian bottleshops.

The Ciders

Red Brick Road Sweet Fanny: Funny name, great cider, Corey has continued his amazing journey of making new ciders and delivered a new favourite.

Lost Pippin The Randall: This cider has killer pythons fermenting in it, the product has a thick head and a thick consistency, the added taste masks the usual sweet cider flavour, a good idea and a good cider.

Coal Valley Strawberry: A great tasting cider made from Tasmanian fruit, Coal Valley are a must every time they come to a festival.

The Food

TORNADO POTATOES: They’re back! Something small but always good with beer.

Eliza’s Vegan BBQ Crumbed Mushrooms: A light snack that helped absorb the alcohol.

Big Smoke BBQ Beef Brisket Burger and Chips: The second time I’ve had beef brisket, the meat melted in my mouth, it hit the spot, the chips also were some of the best I ever tasted, crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, covered in chipotle aioli I was glad I chose Big Smoke BBQ.

A great start to the year, I am planning to get some more beer events throughout the year, stay tuned.

Cheers,

Dave

Beerfest 2018 Preview

We’re only a couple of days away from Beerfest 2018 in Launceston.

This annual event has become one of my favourite times of the year.

The huge gathering of beer, cider and food is a dream come true, unfortunately it only comes for a short time, my hip pocket is probably glad about that.

Reading news articles and following the social media around the event the biggest thing to know is that the location has changed, no longer around the Boag’s Brewery, Beerfest is now over at Royal Park. It is also only on Saturday, in years past it would start on Friday night giving me a chance to warm up and scope out the best stalls to visit.

I'll be studying this

I’m again looking forward to trying beers from around Tasmania and beyond, Devil’s Brewery from the south have become one of my favourite stalls to visit, this time they have a joint stall with the local Morrison Brewery who are trialling a Raspberry Sour beer.

Last year Boag’s made an exclusive beer for the event, I hope they do that again.

Red Brick Road are fresh from the Taste with a wide range of tasty ciders, they will help in between drinks to keep me going.

Coal Valley Cider is from a pristine remote area on the way to Hobart, I drove through there earlier in the week and saw their orchards that span as far as the eye can see. They always have a wide range of different fruit made into cider.

This cheat day for me is hopefully going to be filled with a lot of food too, Tornado Potatoes are back as well as Burger Junkie who recently opened a store after only being a food van, perfect food for Beerfest.

Make sure you wear sunscreen and drink water to keep at your best on the day.

My team of beer, cider and food enthusiasts will share what we liked the best.

Hope to see you there!

Dave

Visit the official page to see the special brews

https://esk.beerfestivals.com.au/highlight-brews/