Let England Shake

So this time around we decided to hit somewhere that was relatively new with some very unique beers. A little piece of England in the heart of Sydney - The King St Brewhouse in Darling Harbour. The Brewhouse is down the end of King St wharf and literally a stone's throw away from the water, nestled neatly in a line of restaurants and trendy bars in one of Sydney's biggest tourist strips.

With three distinctive English style brews on tap, the Brewhouse was definitely a place Karl and I wanted to check out. In fact the last time I was here it was a James Squire brewery and I can tell you now a lot has changed. When we walked in we were surprised by how busy it was, the bar was literally packed and I was curious to see if the house brews lived up to my expectation.

With two bars and a great supporting cast of craft and "staple" beers this was going to be fun. In addition to the three house brews the Brewhouse is also tapping the Illawarra Rust Amber Ale, Porter and Pumpkin Ale and the Two Birds Golden Ale. Other options included Little Creatures Pale Ale, White Rabbit (both white and dark ale), a plethora of the Bluetongue brewery beers (which we shall revisit at a later date), Grolsch and Peroni. This was going to be quite a session.

Time to cut to the chase, pints are $9.50 and happy hour is Monday to Thursday from 5-6 and non-house pints are $5. Due to the amount of beers available we decided to review the house beers, the Two Birds Golden Ale and the Illawarra brews.

Wood Duck Cream Ale

Karl: Dan, this is the beer I talk about the most, suggest to everyone, and bring everyone to the King St Brewhouse for. For me this is their signature beer, a cheeky little number that you will not regret trying - most people struggle to get past this beer, it's that good. I love the fact this is tapped off nitrogen, adding to the flavour. This beer is a very sessional beer, so over to you Dan before I bore everyone with my diatribe.


Dan: Just watching this being poured made me want to cry. This golden, luscious and creamy ale takes a while to settle but it is well worth it. One of the finest beers I've had in a long time and a real eye opener for lovers of fine ales. Where the hell did this come from?


Olde English Duck

Dan: This was going to be a tough act to follow. The Olde English Duck is a classic English Bitter which despite it's dark colour, goes down remarkably smoothly and is a fantastic session beer. If it was served at room temperature this would be ideal but hey, you can't always get what you want. What was your take on this one Karl?

Karl:Well Dan I have to say I'm loving the fact that the Cream Ale and the Olde English Duck are both tapped off nitrogen - there is nothing like having to wait for your beer to settle before you have to drink it... almost as good as a hand pump.This is a great example of an English Ale and you're right Dan if it was a bit warmer it would be even better... I'd like to see this on a hand pump but in saying that this is a great beer, not at all heavy, even with it's malty flavours.What did you say Dan...? It's my shout?

Dan: Damn straight it is.


Fat Jack Stout


Karl: I was amazed by this stout. Most stouts are generally like having a meal while drinking, but this one was so light I could quite easily drink a lot of it... and guess what..? it's on nitrogen as well. Dan, I am seriously loving the nitrogen beers and to be honest I think this is even better than a Guinness. This is by far the best stout I have drunk this year and to quote Dan "If in doubt, have a stout". Were you as impressed as I was?


Dan: I agree Karl, this stout was impressive and the Fat Jack is nowhere near as heavy as a Guiness. Another English classic in my book - smooth, creamy, and in my opinion - fantastic. Stouts are really underrated here and this is the kind of brew I would heartily recommend to anyone and is drinkable all year round, a very, very good beer.

Illawarra Rust Amber Ale

Dan: I have been extremely pleased with every beer from the Illawarra Brewing Co. and the Rust Amber Ale is no exception. A robust Irish Red Ale with a strong malty flavour which also has a spicy kick to it, I would have no problem in knocking back multiples of these, what say you Karl?

Karl: Dan you're right, ever since trying the Wit at the Union all the beers we've tried from Illawarra have been fantastic. This an amazing example of an Irish Red and it reminds me of a similar Red from the Bridge Road Brewing Co. and I have to say this is as good. The Rust Amber Ale is all about the malts and for me that is a winner.


Illawarra Porter

Dan: Another gem in the Illawarra crown, their Porter is a strong bodied brew with hefty malty undertones. I have to say though if I had a few of these I would be off my stool, but this is an excellent Porter which is definitely worth a try.

Karl: What can I say..... Illawarra are still yet to fail. This is a brilliant Porter. I could really drink a lot of these, but I think you're right Dan I would be falling off my stool. With the caramel and malt aftertaste this Porter is not in the least heavy, making this an easy beer to drink all year round. Your choice Dan, what's next?

Illawarra Pumpkin Ale

Dan: The current Illawarra Seasonal beer is the Pumpkin Ale and I had a sneaky sample of this a couple of months ago at the beer festival. I've only had a few pumpkin beers over the years but this one is a standout and it is the cinnamon which sets this apart from the rest. I know that pumpkin ales are inherently an American phenomenon but it is good to see an Australian craft brewery trying their hand here.

Karl: That's right Dan we did have one of these at the Australian Beer Festival. You know what...? I thought it was great then and I still think it's great now. The Illawarra Pumpkin Ale is one of the best seasonal beers I've had this year and the cinnamon aftertaste really sets this beer off and makes this a very drinkable beer.


Two Birds Golden Ale


Karl: Dan the more we do this, the more I like it when we get to meet the brewers. After attending the Sydney launch of Two Birds Golden Ale at Harts Pub I have been a huge fan of this Golden Ale. The light and refreshing, with a slight hoppy, aftertaste makes this one of the best beers for summer. How do you rate this one Dan?

Dan: This is a perfect summer pint Karl and I would definitely recommend having at least one of these at the brewhouse before you start on the house brews. I enjoyed several of these at the launch and I would like to see this on more taps around Sydney, an extremely enjoyable Golden Ale which can be drunk in copious amounts at any time of the year.

Our afternoon (read: day) at the Brewhouse reminded me of England. The beers alone transported me back to a beautiful spring day in a small country pub, simultaneously enjoying the serenity of nature and a pint of bitter in a leafy beer-garden. So, we are talking about Darling Harbour in near peak tourist season but you get the picture right? All of the beers Karl and I had here were fantastic and we couldn't think of a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Good drinking

King St Brewhouse

22 The Promenade
King St Wharf 

https://twitter.com/ourshout2011

Goin' Out West

Our next adventure takes us out west to a beer oasis situated on the outskirts of one of Sydney's largest markets. Arriving at Flemington we were greeted immediately by the massive sprawl of the market. There were crates of fruit and vegetables being ferried around in all directions, it was like venturing into a labyrinth of food, spices and beautiful aromas. Dan and I navigated our way through the market until we found Paddy's Brewery and we needed to quench our thirst.

We entered the pub to a hive of activity, there was obviously a party going on. We were going to join in, but it seemed the average age of the party goers was 50 plus...telling old man jokes...we may be old, but we're not that old. Heading straight to the bar we noticed the open plan brewery next to the bistro, then there were the lingerie waitresses.....

The Paddy's beers on tap were the Pilsner, Pale Ale, Porter and Wheat Beer and the seasonal beer was a Dunkel. I was wondering why Dan wanted to shout first and then discovered that Schooners were $3.50, as there was a happy hour on (normally they are $4.40). However for regular happy hours (Mon-Fri 3pm-6pm) the beers are $3.

Here is a rundown on the beers and we also spoke to Paddy's Head Brewer, Sam Clayman (see interview below).

Pilsner

Karl: After the hot walk through the markets we had a real thirst up so we started with a Pilsner to quench a man sized thirst (can anyone hear the beer ads in the background?). Initially I would never have guessed this was a Pilsner, with a pale colour, soft floral aroma and slightly hoppy aftertaste this is a great summer beer weighing in at 4.5%. Did this quench your big thirst Dan?

Dan: It sure did, but for me this tasted more like a lager than a Pilsner, maybe the cloudiness threw me a little. However I really liked the crisp finish on the palate and I definitely would look forward to one of these at the end of a hard day's work.


Wheat Beer

Karl: After our chat with Sam we moved on to the Wheat Beer and I have to say we should have started with this one - I could drink this all day long. Served with a slice of lemon there was a really refreshing flavour to this. Your thoughts Dan?

Dan: Damn straight Karl, this for me was a good take on a German Kristallweizen and you don't see a lot of these types of beers on tap in Sydney. The lemon was a nice touch and again a great beer for summer - cleanses the palate quickly and not too heavy on the stomach. The alcohol content on this one is 4.7%.


Paddy's Pale Ale

Dan: As you know we have a standout beer every blog and this time it is the Paddy's Pale Ale. Beautiful malt flavours combined with a subtle bitterness makes this one a winner in my books and is easily one of the best American Pale Ales I have had on tap recently. If Paddy's sold Growlers I would have no hesitation in taking one of these home. What is your take on the Pale Ale Karl?

Karl: Well Dan I'm sure Sam would have filled a Growler for you if you brought one along. I have to agree this is an excellent beer and not too overpowering at 4.6%. Pale Ale seems to be the most popular beer at the moment and I too would put this one up there as one of the best we've drunk lately.

Dunkel

Dan: This is currently the seasonal beer on tap but that will change very shortly when Sam starts tapping his Ginger Beer. Even though it was a really hot day (we were drinking this one outside for some reason) the Dunkel still stood up. Sweet caramel textures were in abundance here but I couldn't have more than two of these in the one sitting (alcohol content is 4.7%).

Karl: I think Craig (our Ginger Beer fanatic) will be hanging out for the Ginger Beer to be tapped. The Dunkel is an interesting take on a German classic, with it's malty fragrance and a toffee finish I couldn't drink too many either. I really would like to try this again on a cold winter's day rather than on a scorcher.

Chocolate Porter 

Karl: Well Dan I thought this was a solid finisher. If you haven't worked it out yet we both love dark beers...okay so we like all beer but we really enjoy a good Porter. In my opinion this is one for all Porter lovers, with a smooth chocolate finish and a malty aroma, I had to have another one - even on a hot day this does not disappoint. So Dan are you up for another beer?

Dan: Of course I am. I'm no stranger to Porters and this was a perfect choice to end our session. The chocolate flavours reminded me of Young's Double Chocolate Stout and at 4.8% this Porter was right on the money for me. So if you are going to the bar Karl I'll have another one!


We also managed to have a quick chat with Sam, the Head Brewer at Paddy's and quizzed him about beer and brewing.

Ourshout: How long have you been interested in brewing?

Sam: I've been brewing since 2006. We did a couple of kit beers, moved on to mini mashes for a month or three, then onto the all grain and never looked back. I've been brewing for Paddy's for three months, barely enough to fill the five taps they've given me so far!

Ourshout: What do you think of the current craft brewing scene in Australia?

Sam: The Australian craft scene is really exciting at the moment. Having been in California for a major period of craft-brewing growth in the 90's and 00's, I can see awesome similarities in the grass roots, consumer-awareness based increase in interest in good brews. Australia is definitely on its way towards being a place where you walk out of a pub that does not offer a single craft beer on tap.

Ourshout: Where do you see the Australian craft scene in five years?

Sam: In five years, I would hope to see the demand for craft beers still ahead of production, which would pave the way for more microbrewers to get a start and stay in the business. I would also hope to see it being a united industry rather than a fractionalized one. There is always more to learn in terms of process or business, and I would like to see craft brewing continue to be treated that way by all involved on both the production and consumption side. In any case, I definitely see it being very strong for a long time coming.

Ourshout: What is your favourite style of beer to brew?

Sam: For me, a complex malty beer is the most fun to make. You have to understand all the malts you're using and what they'll offer to the beer as a group. Using upwards of four malts is the only way to go for Irish reds, porters, Scottish ales of all strengths, and even an English bitter can have a nicely complex backbone. German styles with that soft, bready mouthfeel are another favourite of mine to make. Additions like fruits, wood or spices also meld better with a malty beer, and that is something I've always liked to do with my beers. Hopping the hell out of something is fun too, but for me it can be a little bit one-dimensional.

Ourshout: Any new beers in the pipeline at Paddy's?

Sam: The Ginger Beer has already been brewed to round out the six summer taps. Three taps will be rotating through the year, and I'm thinking of doing a Scottish 60/- (around 5%), perhaps with some rum-soaked raisins for texture. A Californian Common and/or an English mild bitter will be available to keep a balance of malty and hoppy beers on tap. A Baltic Porter is probably the biggest thing I'll make for the winter, at around 6%, with some berries and oak to round it out.  It'll be made soon to give it a good few months to mellow out, so future trips out to the pub could be accompanied with a maturing cask sampler!

Ourshout: We will have to take you up on that offer. Thank you for your time Sam.

Walking back through Paddy's we noticed the buzzing sound of the TAB TVs, the humming of the ceiling fans and the classic 80's hits piping out of the video jukebox, it really reminded us of a typical country pub....like the ones we grew up drinking in. The main difference being truly great beer and Paddy's has this in spades.



See you at the bar.


Paddy's Brewery
268 Parramatta Road
Flemington

Follow @ourshout2011

The Boatman's Call

So this time we're off to investigate a unique brewery in Manly and we chose the best day possible - the sun was shining, the ferry was packed with beach goers, tourists and screaming children. We were excited as kids in a candy store at the prospect of good beer.

The 4 Pines Brewery in Manly has been operating for 3 years now, and like most good breweries has a bar attached to it and a plethora of beers to choose from. You could literally bathe in the atmosphere as soon as you walk in, with suntanned locals sipping pilsners at the timber tables outside and tourists at the bar getting the lowdown on the beers from the friendly bar staff we knew this was somewhere special. There was a message board beside the bar featuring news articles about 4 Pines and right next to that behind a glass wall was the brewery itself.

When we reached the bar Dan and I were both a little surprised by the number of brews 4 Pines had to offer - 8 craft beers (5 house beers and 3 specialties) and 1 cider, this was going to be a long day! The house beers on offer were Hefeweizen, Kolsch, Pale Ale, Extra Special Bitter (ESB), and a Stout. The three specialty taps were German Pilz, Dunkelweisen, and a Porter. They also have a great take away service in the form of "growlers", essentially a 2 litre jug of tap beer you can take with you!

We also noticed a handpump behind the bar, but unfortunately it was out of action for the day.

There was a slight debate about whether a tasting rack ($15.00 a rack consisting of the 5 house beers) was in order, or whether we could/would drink pints (all pints were $9.50 and halves $6.50)... we chose the pints... with a little help from our friends.

Let's get to it.

 Hefeweizen

Dan: We have had a few different Hefeweizen's lately and this is definitely one I would order more than once. It has the texture and cloudiness of a typical Hef but a little lighter than the others I've had. I would put this up there with the Burleigh Hef that was on tap at Harts, pleasantly surprised and drinkable in warmer weather. How did you rate this one Karl?

 Karl: I think the true test for this Hefeweizen was my brother. He is a connoisseur of Hefeweizen's and he loved this one. I attend to agree with him (it's not often I agree with my brother). This Hef has a lovely pale colour with a soft floral aroma and finishes with a slightly complex fruity flavour. At 5.2% ABV this is easily drinkable on a cold winters or a hot summers day. So what are your thoughts on the Kolsch?



Kolsch

Dan: One thing is for sure, the 4 Pines Kolsch has been popping up at a couple of pubs and bars around Sydney so that can only be a good thing. Is it a lager or is it an ale though? Who cares at the end of the day, if this is on tap at my local I would drink it.

Karl: I was a little surprised by the Kolsch to be honest. Being a cross between a lager and an ale I wasn't sure what to expect and if this is a beer to go by I have to say I like it. For anyone out there trying to work out how to get your mainstream beer drinkers away from their favourites, this is the one. Also at 4.7% they probably won't get unruly doing it.



Pale Ale

Dan: Ah hello old friend, where have you been all this time? This is a classic Pale Ale which has a lot going for it. Whilst it is not too hoppy (which makes a nice change) the Pale has an extremely pleasant aroma and an aftertaste which makes you want to keep coming back for more. Quite frankly Karl this is one of the best Pale Ales I've had on tap (takes Karl's Growler and heads straight to the bar).

Karl: I have to agree. When I first got the hoppy aroma from this beer I was thinking this was going to be an intense Pale Ale, but not the case. The mild hoppiness really endears this beer to be drunk in large quantities and with a moderate ABV of 5.1% this can be done. This one is definitely "back of the net".

 
Extra Special Bitter

Karl: Okay Dan this is my cheeky little number. As you know I LOVE English Bitters and this is a perfect example of an ESB. With a mild hoppy aroma and its malty undertones I really didn't want to have to move to another beer... I feel a growler coming on Dan!

Dan: As one person summed this beer up "It is like licking rust off a corrugated iron roof". But in a good way of course. The 4 Pines ESB is a classic bitter with lovely caramel undertones, a nice body and a perfect finish making it my standout favourite. It is a shame the handpump ran out of this when we got there, but I heard they may be replenishing it soon! A classic English Bitter and the strongest of the bunch at 5.6%.



Stout

Dan: The 4 Pines "Space" Stout is a wonderful, velvety and creamy invention. This Growler friendly Stout goes down really well and would be a  perfect finisher for a drinking session. At 5.1% it is not too heavy and real stout fans are going to enjoy this one.

Karl: Come on Dan, who doesn't like a Stout... well not many people, but I think this one could change their minds. This Stout has all the chocolate and caramel flavours you would expect, without the heaviness. I think everyone should try this one.

Dan: Well you know the saying Karl "If in doubt have a Stout". Oh, it is called the Space Stout as it is the first beer to be served on a zero gravity flight. For more information click here.

Specialty #1 - German Pilz

Karl: On such a hot day this light and thirst quenching German Pilz hits the spot. A soft hoppy aroma and refreshing taste makes this a great summer beer. With an ABV of 5.3% you can definitely knock back a few of these. Were you as thirsty as I was Dan?

Dan: Sitting out on the 4 Pines balcony appreciating the sunny vista with one of these in my hand is how this is meant to be drunk. This is a robust session pilsner and on a nice day I could easily have a lot more of these, but unfortunately we had a job to do here.

Specialty #2 - Dunkelweisen

Karl: That's right Dan there is work to be done, so I moved to the Dunkelweisen. This is an unusual Dunkel in the respect that it's not a heavy beer. With light chocolate and caramel undertones this beer has a great flavour which can be enjoyed all year round.

Dan: The specialty Dunkelweisen goes down too smoothly in my opinion and it comes across as more of a dark lager. Karl is right about the chocolate undertones and one of the stand outs of the bunch, with an ABV of 4.7%.


Specialty #3 - Porter

Dan: Onto the porter then. As you know I like Porters. I really like them. Just by smelling this beer I knew what I was in for. Smokey flavours straight off the top, almost in the style of a German Rauchbier (but with less smokey pork) and an aftertaste that lingers briefly on the palette. A winter warmer but not a summer slinger. What say you Karl?

Karl: You're right Dan, my first smell of this Porter reminded me of an open fire. Then when it came to the taste, I was blown away. The smokiness, although intense, really sets this beer off. I can definitely see myself drinking a few of these next winter, especially on a cold day... if only it snowed in Sydney. The ABV on this is 4.2%, so perfect in front of an open fire.

After a thorough tasting of the beers we were keen to investigate the Growler option. Growlers have been around for quite some time and they are a great way of taking home your favourite beers straight from the tap. The 4 Pines charge $15.00 for a custom Growler (which is reusable) and $20.00 for each refill, considering you get nearly 2 litres of beer this is a really good deal and something which more pubs and bars should consider. Just remember to clean the Growler before you take it back or they wont fill it. Karl opted for a Growler of the ESB and I had a feeling it wasn't going to last long......

Drifting back slowly on the ferry towards Circular Quay, we reflected on our day of drinking at the 4 Pines. We met some really cool locals, drank Space beer, had some fantastic food and found a bar that sells Growlers, does it get any better than this?......

Until next time.

4 Pines Brewing Company
29/43-45 East Esplanade, Manly
For updates from the 4 Pines (and beer in general) join their beer club - click here. 

Follow @ourshout2011

Union City Blue

The local pub. The last bastion of humanity, a place to relax with friends, have a laugh and most importantly drink good beer. But what is it about these pubs that make you want to keep coming back? We are about to find out.

So this time around Karl and myself ventured to Newtown to pay a visit to The Union Hotel on the south end of King St. Around this area restaurants and shops come and go, people move in and then they move out but one thing that hasn't changed is The Union. Ok, so we are not telling the whole truth - the place has been massively renovated - a bistro added, a beer garden area created and a second bar fitted out the back (with the same beers on tap), but apart from that nothing else has changed....except the beer. A real beer makeover has occurred as of  late with 9 craft beers on tap (and one cider), a whole fridge full of interesting brews and a well stocked bottleshop. The usual suspects are available on tap too (to keep some of their locals happy), but we are not here for that.

The atmosphere of the Union is that of a real local with an old "Tooths" beer sign right beside the bar, pool tables, a decent jukebox and long tables where you can perch on a stool and hang out with friends.  At the front bar the craft beer tap prices are on a blackboard so there are no nasty surprises when you get there. Two other boards display the bottled beers for sale and they have an extensive choice, ranging from the Lord Nelson brews to Murrays and a few decent Swedish ciders. Another nice touch we noticed was the "Coming Soon" sign on the bar. We really think more pubs should do this, especially since craft beer is starting to take off now, plus it gives you a good reason to go back to the pub! In case you are interested the 2 upcoming beers are the St Peter's brewery Killagh Stout and the McLaren Vale IPA.

Let's start talking about the beers. With 9 of them to go through and no taster/paddle options available it was time to pull on our drinking boots and get down to some serious research. The blackboard listed the Illawarra Draught on tap but it is in fact the Illawarra Wit.  Here is the craft beer list and all of the prices are for schooners (some of them do come in fancy glasses though!). Oh and for the record we did these reviews over 2 sessions as we wanted to remember what they tasted like.

          Stone & Wood Pacific Ale - Stone & Wood Brewing Co. (Byron Bay NSW)
 

Karl: Dan, I think this is going to be the hardest beer we have ever had to review. Voted #1 in the Critics Choice Australia Best Beer book, that's right it is the Stone & Wood Pacific Ale. So as not to offend do we paraphrase or even plagiarize the book? I know, I know that just would not be sporting....so I'll give it a go. For me this ale is perfect for hot summer days and is definitely not a winter beer. In saying that though, the Pacific Ale is a great beer, it's lovely fruity aroma and hops flavour combine to produce a refreshing taste with a dry finish, hence why I love it in summer.With an alcohol content of 4.5% and a price of $6 you can certainly enjoy a few of these in the hotter months.

Dan: The Pacific Ale has a very distinctive flavour and yes you are right, this is a perfect beer for summer. The aroma is almost floral in nature, which I'm putting down to the hops they use and is probably one of the reasons why the critics ranked this so highly. This is an interesting craft beer but I would definitely recommend trying the Stone & Wood Lager from the bottled list also.

       Nut Brown Ale - Holgate Brewhouse (Woodend VIC)

Karl: Okay Dan I have to say it, I can't hold back anymore. This cheeky little number is my favourite beer at the moment ever since I first tried it at Harts.As you know I am a massive Nut Brown Ale fan and this stacks up to any I have tried. The full malt flavour makes this a sensational session beer - I seriously could/can drink this all night long. The alcohol content is 6.3% and at $8.30 it is the most expensive beer on the menu, but it is certainly worth every drop!

Dan: To put it simply the Holgate Nut Brown Ale is great and I would advise anyone who likes their beers strong and malty to check this one out while it is still on tap. The roasted nut/coffee/caramel aromas are off the charts and it is a pure delight to drink, even the bar staff could not stop talking about it. I know Karl is a huge Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale fan and the Holgate ranks right up there.

        

          Murray's Angry Man Pale Ale - Murray's Brewing Co. (Port Stephens NSW)

Karl: I have to say with alcohol making so many people hot under the collar, it is fitting for Murrays to release a beer by the name of Angry Man. Rebranded from the Nirvana Pale Ale,the Angry Man sure packs a punch. This full bodied hoppy beer is not for weaklings so expect to jump in the ring and do battle with this one. If you like the hops you will be able to take on the Angry Man and enjoy every drop and with the alcohol content weighing in at 6.5% and at $5.80 a schooner, it doesn't pack a punch to the wallet. Does this beer make you an angry man Dan?

Dan: You know me Karl I'm always angry, but good beer usually cheers me up. Do I like this beer? Yes I do. Would I drink a lot of these? I would say 2 or 3 seems about right. The Angry Man has a lot of hops in it, so it is not for the fainthearted but if you are curious about hoppy craft beers this is definitely worth trying.

          Wit - Illawarra Brewing Co. (Wollongong NSW)

Dan: The Illawarra Brewing Co.have not been around that long but they know how to make one mean witiber. This is instantly likeable (i.e. heavily drinkable) with a beautiful citrus aroma and a typical white beer hazy complexion that makes you want to keep coming back for more. I'm not exactly sure what type of hops are in this but there is a certain bitter sweetness I can't put my finger on. What are your thoughts Karl?

Karl: I tell you what Dan with the "Wit" being the first beer I've tasted from the Illawarra Brewing Co., I think our relationship can only get better! This is one of the best wheat beers I have ever drunk, maybe even better than most of the German and Belgium beers I've had. The Wit has a perfect balance of fruit and a sour taste that makes this a very drinkable beer all year round. I have to stop talking about this one otherwise I will go on and on. With an alcohol content of 5 % and a price of $6.20, drink as many as you can  until it's no longer on tap!

        Vale Ale - Mclaren Vale Co. (Mclaren Vale SA)

Dan:  Mclaren Vale Ale was our next beer of choice and judging by the amount of signage around the pub, it has to be popular.This particular beer was The Local Taphouse People's Choice winner last year in their "Hottest One Hundred Craft Beer Poll". The Vale Ale comes across as an American Pale Ale but without the hoppy flavours so I'm not too sure where to place this one. It is pleasant and drinkable but a bit too mild for my taste, where do you stand with this beer Karl?

Karl: I have to say this beer confuses me too. There are none of the characteristics I would expect from an American Pale Ale. However, the mild (slightly malty) flavour makes this a great introduction to the world of craft beer in my opinion. I definitely think this is one of those rare beers that presents better from the bottle and I could easily knock a few stubbies of this back at a summer BBQ. The alcohol content on the Vale Ale is 4.5% and costs $5.90.

        Vale DRK - Mclaren Vale Co. (Mclaren Vale SA)

Karl: I kind of feel sorry for this beer being on tap with the Holgate Nut Brown Ale, as it is not heavily hopped and the Holgate quite frankly overshadows it. The Vale Dark Lager has soft caramel and toffee undertones making this a beer that would appeal to everyone. Dan, I would be interested to hear your comments on this as I know you appreciate your dark lagers as well.

Dan: Although the tap says Vale DRK, I'm calling it Vale Dark Lager too (so there!). At $5.90 a schooner and an alcohol content of 4.5% this easy going Dark Lager is a good gateway craft beer. Neither overly malty or hoppy, it goes down very well but a porter it isn't - this is definitely a lager that can be enjoyed all year round. I would most certainly have one of these over the Vale Ale if given the chance.

        Schwartz Pale Ale - Schwartz Brewery (Sydney NSW)

Karl: For me the Schwartz Brewery has never let me down, all their beers are very drinkable and the Pale Ale is no exception. With a floral aroma that just makes you want to dive into the glass, it is the rich malty flavour that stands out for me and I can see us drinking a few of these over summer.

Dan: Another great beer from the Schwartz Brewery in my opinion. This full bodied, American style Pale Ale has plenty of flavour without punching you in the face with hops and a thick texture so you won't be slamming these back like no tomorrow. At 5% and $5 a throw this is a thoroughly enjoyable session beer which is meant to be sipped slowly and enjoyed by everyone.

        Steam Ale - Mountain Goat Beer (Richmond Victoria)

Dan: By this stage we were ready for the goat and by that I mean Mountain Goat's Organic Steam Ale. Brewed in Richmond, Melbourne this beer is starting to rear it's horns on taps all over Sydney, and I have to say is not too bad. This organic American style ale is the kind of beer you can sit around with friends on a warm summers day and drink by the jugload. It has a crisp taste and is low on the hops so it goes down easy, weighing in at 4.5% alcohol content and at $5.80 a pop.

Karl: The Mountain Goat logo always drags me in, I really love seeing the 2 horns sticking up from the taps. For those of you who are wary of organic beer, you have no need to be with this one. The Steam Ale has a lovely citrus aroma and the wheat malt gives it a nice clean finish.

        Green Star Lager - St. Peters Brewery (St. Peters NSW)

Dan: The St.Peters Brewery is a stone throw away from the Union and has been going strong for just over 10 years now. Sustainability is what the brewery is all about, from how the beer is made to the packaging, but what does it taste like? The Green Star is a robust lager at 5% and after the initial bitterness (which was quite nice), I was keen to keep drinking it. However the decider with this lager is the aftertaste, it was still on my palette 2 beers afterwards. Not so bad I guess if you are drinking the same beer all night but problematic if you wanted to mix things up.  How did you find this one Karl?

Karl: Dan, I have to say I agree. This is definitely a beer that doesn't lend itself readily to playing well with others. This is the first time I've had it from the tap and I have to say was pleasantly surprised. For a lager it is very bitter, which I think is a bit of it's charm. It will set you back $5 a schooner or $5.80 for a 500ml goblet.

With our research (or is it beersearch?) concluded, Karl and I sat back and soaked in the atmosphere of the pub. As we looked around us people were laughing, talking  and smiling, and admist the sound of glasses chinking and the smell of sumputous food being carried from the bistro to the tables realised what it feels like to be a local.

Until next time

p.s. There are a couple of nice surprises in the bottleshop next door, look out for the Mountaingoat Rarebreed for $12 a longneck.

The Union Hotel
576 King Street
Newtown

Hartland

So, Dan came up with a really good idea "lets create a blog about beer" and where else to tell me... that's right in a bar. Wild horses wouldn't have been able to stop me from being a part of a blog purely about beer. We just want this to be about good craft beer, which leads us to the first bar/pub/hotel off the rank... drum roll please... Harts Pub.

Situated in the historic Rocks area we have possibly one of Australia's best kept beer secrets. With an impressive 12 Australian beers on tap at any given time which change very regularly, friendly bar staff, great food (beware of the Rocks Poppers if you are not a spice fan), happy hours and a Harts membership card (read free beer) - you can see why we come here a lot.

Set over 2 levels with a bar on each floor and a cozy beer garden out the back, this is one place where you can settle in for a great session. Membership at Harts is free and whenever you buy drinks or food,10% of the total is kept as credit which you can cash in for anything... well more drinks or food, most likely drinks.....

Now let's get down to business. Harts boasts 4 house beers which are on tap all year round. There are 7 other taps which change very regularly -or when they run out and are always Australian (not necessarily NSW brews) and are always very good. Lastly there is one tap left for Cider. The 4 usual suspects are  "The Butcher","The Governor", "The Boxer"  & "The Hangman" and are brought to you by the Rocks Brewing Co.  All of these beers are $9 a pint and $5 for a half, there is also another size inbetween, a 3/4 perhaps?

As we were trying to be "professional", Dan and I opted for 2 tasting paddles. Each one consists of 4 beers of your choice (100ml) and are $10 a paddle.  Given we're not all that inventive we ordered the 4 Rocks Brewing Co. beers, of which "The Governor" was out - so a bit of switch hitting was in order. We ended up ordering the 3 other house beers in addition to the "Redhead Lager", "Schwartz Pilsner", "Burleigh Hef", "Feral Rye IPA" and the "Hop Hog IPA".

So lets start breaking these down.

The Hangman Pale Ale weighs in at 4.9% and is a perfect introduction to Harts.The malt is the first flavour that comes to mind and although it is an American style Pale Ale the hops are not overpowering so it is easily drinkable. There is also a slight citrus aroma which is quite appealing making the Hangman a solid session beer and one you will often find coming back to time and time again.

Next up is The Boxer Red Ale at 4.1%. In my opinion this is a classic Irish Red Ale, the malt comes through nicely straight off the bat (or is it the paddle?) and there are also some distinctive caramel and toffee flavours in there as well. I could have easily had a few pints of this but in the name of research split my 100ml glass with Karl and tried to contain my resentment. Did I say how much I liked this one?

The Butcher is a well bodied chocolate malty Porter with a silky smooth taste, an ode to dark beers and one I could imagine being slowly slipped whilst reclining in an armchair in front of an open fire on a winter's evening. It comes in at 5.5%, so not too strong and nowhere near as hefty as their stout brethen (which can be hard work on a hot summer's day). 

First non house beer for us was the Burleigh Hef, a decent hefeweizen from the Burleigh Brewing Co. in QLD (and who said the Queenslanders couldn't make a craft beer!). This wheat beer has a lovely citrus finish and a cloudy consistency typical of a hefeweizen. It is great for a couple, but we wouldn't class this as a session beer. For a pint it costs $12.50 and has an alcohol content of 4.9%.

Sydney's Barons Brewing Co. have just released their limited edition Redhead Lager. This cheeky little number has a fantastic fruity aroma with a strong and distinctive caramel flavour with a subtle citrus undertone. Similar to The Boxer this should be enjoyed in copious amounts. At 5% and $9.50 a pint this one is a no brainer.
 
For everyone familiar with the Macquarie Hotel you would know about the Schwartz Brewery. This is a great example of a German Pilsner and has been slowly creeping into pubs all over Sydney. Its pale golden hue is accentuated by its hoppy fragrance and taste. Perfect for a sunny afternoon session this can literally be enjoyed by anyone. It costs $9.60 a pint and has an alcohol content of 5%.

Next up we have the 2 Feral Brewing Co. beers - The Hop Hog IPA and the Feral Rye IPA. The Feral Brewery from W.A. make a diverse number of beers, ranging from Barleywine infused concoctions to Russian Imperial Stouts to good old fashioned Brown Ales. The Hop Hog IPA has plenty of hops (as the name suggests) and was ranked #3 in the Australian Best Beers Critics Choice last year. For people unfamiliar with hoppy beers we would recommend trying this on a paddle first. It's (even hoppier) big brother, the Feral Rye IPA at 7.5% is a perfect nightcap for beer lovers but take it from us you don't want to be hitting this all afternoon, as it really packs a punch! The Hop Hog IPA comes in at 5.8% and both beers are $12.50 a pint.

After the hard work of paddle tasting and note taking we felt a couple of quiet relaxing pints were in order as there were 2 beers on the board we hadn't tried yet - The Holgate Brick Kiln and Bridge Road Brewers Australian Ale, both from Victoria.

The Brick Kiln is a traditional Bavarian dark wheat beer made from imported German malts that leaves a decent bitter aftertaste in your mouth after the first sip. The colour surprised me as I was expecting it to be a lot darker but this is a damn fine Dunkel Weizen! It weighs in at 5.3% and is $12.50 a pint.

Since Dan and I grew up about a 30 min drive from Bridge Road Brewers it's a bit hard to be non-bias about this beer... we will give it a go. Bridge Road never fail to disappoint - and this is no exception. A classic example of an Ale offering a soft floral aroma backed up by a smooth fruity flavour, I could drink this Ale all night long - and at 4.4% it's easily done. A pint will set you back $12.50.

As Dan and I were about to call an end to our session, Harts managed to surprise us with the tapping of a new beer... how could we leave before a quick sample... okay a pint.

John Boston Premium Lager is a beer both Dan and I have enjoyed before. This is a lightly malted full strength lager, with a bitter finish. This was an excellent finisher to our beer tasting bonanza, at 4.9% and from our slightly hazy memory, pints were around $10.

When visiting Harts, make sure you take the time to go upstairs and read some of the quotes on the wall.

As a wise man once said - "Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy".

Until next time.

Harts Pub
Corner Essex and Gloucester Street, The Rocks
Happy Hour is Mon-Fri, 1700-1900 (house beers & members only)
Opening Hours: Mon-Wed 11am-Midnight; Thurs-Sat 11am-1am; Sun 11am-11pm