September - Steam Exchange Pale Ale

Reblogged from Little Cookbook:

Hey guys, did you know it’s September? (I mean obviously you do, I don't think you live under a rock. Unless you do and you are rocking WiFi; in which case sorry) September for me holds the promise of the uni semester break and the continual growing warmth of spring. However for Nick it holds much more than that. This is the first in a series of ‘Beer of the Month’ on which Nick and I will showcase a South Australian beer.

Read more… 477 more words

As you might have seen, Beer'd is still largely inactive. I figure I owe you some sort of an explanation. I originally started this blog because my day job didn't lend me an outlet to write passionately. It was a time when I was feeling particularly jaded by modern-day working life, and Beer'd provided a nice release. Some of you even enjoyed it too! Since March this year however, I've been working in a job that I love, and what's more in a position that allows me to write creatively and passionately every single day! So, a little selfishly I guess, the idea of Beer'd became a little redundant. But that doesn't mean I won't do some extra-curricular activites when the opportunity comes around, and I was honoured to be asked to write this post for the very lovely Adelaide food blog Little Cook Book. Who knows, it may even have just reignited my beer blogging fire. Enjoy!

Ducking out, ducking in

Hey you crazy craft beer loving fiend you!

I’ve been on somewhat of a hiatus, and it just occurred to me that I forgot to inform you.

I’ve just been taking a break from life in general, which includes this blog.

But now that I’m awakening from my Summer slumber you can expect some new innovations and remodelling on Beer’d that will make it even better for 2012.

Hang in there! And please enjoy this photo of my ducks.

California

Sorry it probably seems like I’ve been slack again.

And while I have been in general life, in terms of this blog there honestly hasn’t been tons to report on.

And as much as I’d like to make posts as frequent as possible, I also want to make sure I’m not just writing garbage for the sake of writing.

But I have been making some plans for later in the year, and I need your help…

My girlfriend and I are planning a visit to the United States, and for me, obviously beer has to be a significant part of this holiday.

So the first stretch will be LA to San Francisco, and then San Francisco to Portland. We’ll leave Oregon for a separate post, but along this route in California, which breweries do I need to visit?

While I admire American craft brewing sincerely, Adelaide only gets a small (but quality) selection of their beers, so it’s very much remained a love from afar.

So please share your knowledge! I want to know where I should go not only in terms of great beers, but also the atmosphere and experience of the breweries and brewpubs.

So far my current must-sees are…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weekly Beer Specials – 12/01

Since the holiday period passed and the large chains remembered they actually don’t love us, good specials have been slim pickings here in Adelaide.

Until last Friday that is, when I caught word of this most excellent bargain through my reliable source.

I subsequently verified via purchase on Saturday, but initially I held off reporting it because I assumed it would end almost immediately.

That is, until I passed Parade Cellars at Norwood again yesterday and saw the glorious sign was still in place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes that’s correct, straight from New Zealand, the sensational Mac’s Hop Rocker Pilsener at the stupid price of $39.90.

I can only assume this will end when their stock runs out, so get in quick.

You Valewit

I can’t tell if the McLaren Vale lads have named this with a sense of humour or not?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But no it’s so excellent to see them continuing to produce more beer, keep up the good work you crazy Valewits.

Oh yeah I think there’s some news in this somewhere; South Australia’s McLaren Vale Brewing Company are perhaps about to launch a Belgian Wheat Beer?

Just an inkling.

Endeavour’d

So my house got broken into on Saturday, how lovely!

It not only ruined my night out, scared my housemate half to death and resulted in the loss of my Henry Rollins tickets, but also the theft of my iPhone which contained the lovely photos I was intending to use for this post.

However in all we were extremely fortunately; firstly we’re all safe, secondly he didn’t touch any of our laptops, and thirdly he didn’t go in the cellar.

But only hours prior to these goings on, I was sipping on the brews that Endeavour Beer were kind enough the send me to review.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would love to rave about these beers because of how gracious the New South Welsh brewery have been in being the first to send me samples to review, but unfortunately both the 2011 Pale Ale and 2011 Amber Ale were difficult to get truly excited about.

Don’t get me wrong they’re both very satisfactory, the 2011 Amber Ale has a gorgeous warmth with comforting biscuit and chocolate tones, but both really lacked a sharpness and bitterness that particularly appeals to my palette.

Without a greater hop profile these beers feel muted; an excellent flavour foundation that is ready to be unleashed, but is instead stuck trying to take off with the handbreak on.

Also I’m not sure I totally subscribe to the idea of beer being brewed in ‘vintages’ as is done with wine, but that’s a discussion for another day.

A huge, huge thank you to Endeavour for being spectacular lads and sending four of their beers to the Beer’d cellar.

And a huge, huge fuck you to the wanker that decided our house looked like an easy target.

Jealous?

When I was a kid I used to always wonder why we would get my Grandpa wine for every present-giving occasion.

I would feel bad that we always got him the same thing, and would ask if we could try something else.

And even when my parents would explain that wine was something he liked, it still seemed very lazy on our part, and sad that he always got the same gift.

It might be the same way my close relatives feel now when I tell them to buy me beer for these occasions.

But they graciously oblige, and so Christmas 2011 brought a particularly bountiful loot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From my girlfriend I received a European flavoured assortment (above) featuring a Jennings Sneck Lifter (England), a Brasserie De Saint-Sylvestre 3 Monts (France) and a Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet (Belgium).

Fucking yum!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst the assortment from my Mum (above) managed to span a large portion of the globe and a swag of styles, and look just as delicious.

It incorporates a Distillerie De Genièvre Claeyssens La Wambrechies (France), a Lobethal Bierhaus Red Truck Porter (South Australia), a Grupo Cervezas Alhambra Reserva 1925 (Spain), an Endeavour 2011 Amber Ale (New South Wales), a Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat NV Duvel (Belgium) and a St Ambroise Oatmeal Stout (Canada).

Seriously, what can you say to all of this? Just thank you, and so much love.

A large portion of all of these I know very little about, so if you have some wise words or experiences to share feel free to drop me a comment. Likewise there’s a good chance some of these names have gotten lost in translation, so please let me know of any inaccuracies too.

Importantly too, you can get all of this goodness right here in Adelaide through various outlets.

RIP Wellington Cellars

This has been apparent for a little while, but I finally found the occasion to confirm it this week.

Wellington Cellars, the humble but excellent bottle shop perched on the Southern corner of Adelaide’s prettiest square, has been shut down.

Well I think it has at least, what do you make of this note?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One thing’s for sure, the shop certainly isn’t operating, which is a mighty shame because it had a small but excellent range of craft beers from across the globe.

In particular their selection of American and New Zealand brews was quite the treat, and before Dan Murphy’s got hold of Sierra Nevada they were one of the only locations you could pick up the Californian delight in Adelaide.

I’ve got particularly fond memories of making the trip across the dark square on a winter’s night whilst taking care of my cousin’s North Adelaide apartment, and picking up a Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA and a Hitachino Nest Sweet Stout to toast a nothing Friday night.

Whether you return or not, thanks for the hard work and good times Wellington Cellars.

Two Thousand and Twelve

You may have noticed the world of Beer’d has been a little bit quiet over the past few weeks.

Sorry about that.

It seems to be another symptom of my general lack productive motivation (even though I love doing this), and I’ve also been without internet and drinking horrible festival-beer for the last week or so.

But 2012 seems like as clichéd a time as any to get my act together!

And with the swag of craft beer I received for Christmas, my recent trip to Lorne and Melbourne, and whisperings of a brand new Adelaide microbrewery, you better believe there’s plenty of goodness coming this week.

Vale McLaren Vale Founders

News yesterday broke that McLaren Vale Brewing Company co-founders Adam Trippe-Smith and David Prescott will be stepping down at the end of 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

No reason has yet been given for the departures, merely a press release selling how successful the McLaren Vale Brewing brand has apparently become.

With the most recent news, plus the announcement that the company will FINALLY commence brewing in South Australia rather than New South Wales, 2012 will be a definitive year for the Vale Ale producers.

Preparing to take over at the helm of the brewing company are current employees Josh Stuart and Michael Hanton, plus another yet-to-be-named member.

Also, let it be known that I have recognised how awkward the title to this post is. The initial Vale is meant in the Latin sense of farewell.