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| Sydney: 27th May, Saturday |
Preface
Such a shame that the Sydney festival was only for one day. With that, it put more difficulty on yours truly (who had the flu) to attempt all the beers that were available.
Some 146 craft beers were on tap (with 300+ total across the event), and with so little time to try them all it was a case of trying the ones I found to be interesting.
How did I do that? Well, to cut a real long story short I broke it down to 100 beers to begin with. You know, crossing off the styles of beer I'm not too fond of. I then knuckled it down to 9 paddies (each paddles consisting of x5 85 ml tasters). That was tricky simply for the fact that there were plenty of beers that I wanted to try (but couldn't).
Thankfully, I decided to wander around with my good mate to all the brewery stands and try some of their beers.
This list is based on the possible 9 paddles (45 tasters) and copious amounts of brewery stand beers that were had.
I hope you the my list for Sydney GABS 2017.
Enjoy.
dann
Some 146 craft beers were on tap (with 300+ total across the event), and with so little time to try them all it was a case of trying the ones I found to be interesting.
How did I do that? Well, to cut a real long story short I broke it down to 100 beers to begin with. You know, crossing off the styles of beer I'm not too fond of. I then knuckled it down to 9 paddies (each paddles consisting of x5 85 ml tasters). That was tricky simply for the fact that there were plenty of beers that I wanted to try (but couldn't).
Thankfully, I decided to wander around with my good mate to all the brewery stands and try some of their beers.
This list is based on the possible 9 paddles (45 tasters) and copious amounts of brewery stand beers that were had.
I hope you the my list for Sydney GABS 2017.
Enjoy.
dann
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Being part of such a magnificent festival makes you feel happy to be alive. From independent breweries, craft breweries, local brewers and international brewers, the awesomeness of 300+ beers at your finger tips is enough for a grown man to weep with joy.
As I weep, this blog allows me to give you the opportunity to view my favourite beers. Sure, it's not a definitive list but it is a list which I'd like you to sit back, relax and enjoy.
If you ever get the opportunity to try any of these, please do so. Although there a plethora of beers that I didn't try, just remember that the Independent Beer Association is the true winner here.
Pirate Life are a fairly new brewery in the Australian craft beer scene. But seriously, don't let that fool you. They have a phenomenal range, with one in particular being their flagship beer: IIPA.
Do yourself a huge favour: get off your butt, go to your local pub and see if they have this beauty on tap. Definitely in your 'top 100 beers to try before you die' list. Score: 8/10.
Head Brewer, James Harvey has done a great job at this tricky combination of flavours and textures. All up, something different from the average beer. Score: 8/10.
Instead of the number 13 being unlucky, it was extremely lucky on this occasion. My Belgian IPA had all the hallmarks of being a very special beer indeed.
The flavour, texture and pure goodness of Belgian beer flavour was quite apparent. It clearly stood out from all other beers, which was something of a surprise to me.
For me, this Belgian beauty wasn't in the picture but I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was and thankful I tried it. Score: 8/10.
Still, it's not often you come across a beauty like this. The Australia Beer Company has managed to age this IPL extraordinarily well. The cherry flavour magnificently blends in with this style of beer. Hats off to you! Score: 8/10.
Once again I've travelled to many places around the USA and tried hundreds of different craft beers. This ranks as one of the best. Clearly a top 20 beer in any category.
Its very smashable, has lots of fruit flavour, is quite subtle on the palette and has the hoppy balance which only few brewers can master.
If you don't try this beer on tap in the near future, you're dumber than the movie: Dumb and Dumber. Score: 8.5/10.
Without a doubt we're looking a new fan favourite. Give this beer time to cross Sydney and our neighbouring shores (should we all be so lucky) and you'll see it soar like an eagle, winning its way to freedom. Superb job, Akasha. Score: 9/10.
You must try it and get James Harvey to brew it again. Outstanding. Score: 9.5/10.
If you ever get the opportunity to try any of these, please do so. Although there a plethora of beers that I didn't try, just remember that the Independent Beer Association is the true winner here.
Get yourself off the couch, into your local store and look out for some exciting beers. You will not be disappointed.
Now let's focus on my top 7 list for GABS 2017:
Cheers,
dann
#7: Pirate Life: Stout
It's the beer gift that keeps on giving. I had the Pirate Life Stout a while back at the Royal Albert Hotel here in Sydney. What a fucking beer it was!
It reminded me how good stout beer can be; light-medium-bodied mouthfeel, roasted notes coupled with hints of chocolate and a soft 'feel' to the beer.
I've travelled to may parts of the USA over many years, this certainly has to be in my all-time top 10 of stouts.
Do yourself a huge favour: get off your butt, go to your local pub and see if they have this beauty on tap. Definitely in your 'top 100 beers to try before you die' list. Score: 8/10.
#6: Yulli's Brews: 'Gilbert' Pinot Grigio Wild Ale
Bloody hells bells! Sorry for any AC/DC pun there, but this deserves very high marks.
What drew me to this beer, I hear you ask? Well, it was an off-centre, 'how do you do?' swimsuit edition-style beer that was totally and utterly different from the rest of the pack.
Yulli's Brews has come up with a Sour beer that incorporates grapes, and what an amazing combination of flavours and textures it was.
Its ability to be more than one thing is very tricky to pull off. Over the years I've had numerous craft beers that consistently fail. Normally these things turn out more ugly than Ugly Dave Grey! This, however, nails it perfectly.
#5: B.Effect Brewing Co (NZ): Blazing hops
Pure serendipity. This actually wasn't on my initial paddle list. An 'empty keg' some 40 minutes into GABS Sydney 2017 meant that I had #14 instead of #13.
Instead of the number 13 being unlucky, it was extremely lucky on this occasion. My Belgian IPA had all the hallmarks of being a very special beer indeed.
The flavour, texture and pure goodness of Belgian beer flavour was quite apparent. It clearly stood out from all other beers, which was something of a surprise to me.
Its description is very simple, and ingredients not too complicated. The Belgian yeast used was certainly the catalyst in this great tasting beer. Somehow everything that it had to offer was nothing short of remarkable.
#4: Australian Beer Co: Nitro Cherry IPL
Surely you can't be serious? I am serious, and don't call me Shirley. I'm that serious that this has hit #4 on my list. It's about as amazing as me getting a date with Jennifer Love-Hewitt.
An India Pale Lager that's been aged for three years in wine barrels with a bunch of cherries. Does it sound tempting to you? It sure as hell did for me!
A breath-taking beer that was blended superbly. My reaction? YUM-FUCKING-O! I just loved this combination. Barrel-aged beers are becoming an art form. Done well, they are worth their weight in gold. Done poorly, let the chooks drink it or use it to water the plants in your garden.
#3: Yulli's Brews: Amanda Mandarin IPA
Oh man. Oh boy. Major drool. Straight away this beer was a winner. The aroma, the texture, the flavour, the combination of all of these things into one fantastic beer: Amanda Mandarin IPA by Yulli's Brews.
This beer says what it is: an IPA with Mandarin. A very simple yet sublime beer that beats its competitors hands down.
Its very smashable, has lots of fruit flavour, is quite subtle on the palette and has the hoppy balance which only few brewers can master.
If you don't try this beer on tap in the near future, you're dumber than the movie: Dumb and Dumber. Score: 8.5/10.
#2: Akasha Brewing: Lupulin Fog
Is this the new look and taste of IIPA here in Australia? If it is, Akasha Brewing has fucking nailed it solidly to the wall and thrown away the goddamn hammer.
What can I say other than 'fuck me silly!' I'd never even tried anything like it in all my travels. This IIPA smacks of total and utter dominance.
The fog-like nature of this beer should not put you off, rather capture your imagination and carry you to a world like no other. It's fruity flavour, insane alcohol percentage and it's so, so easy-natured drinkability makes this beer a pure standout for GABS 2017.
#1: Yulli's Brews: David's Davidson Plum Sour
Only two words describe this beer: absolutely stunning.
Be damn fucking inspired if you're a brewer. Be really inspired. I was gobsmacked at every single point of angle from this Plum Sour beer.
Again, Yulli's Brews comes up trumps. What makes this so awesome is the balanace between every single ingredient; malt, hops, yeast attenuation, sourness and plums.
I'd never think that my tastebuds would love this beer so much, but they did. It's so drinkable that it isn't funny.
A cold day, a warm day or just plain any old day, this plum sour beer meets all beer drinking criteria.
