Had the Stockade Family Around for Beers

What better day is there than Easter Saturday to get stuck into a bunch of beers from a brewery you've never had a beer from before? Well the stars have aligned because Stockade Brew Co were kind enough to send me a four pack of their core range of beers to try (thanks Melissa).

I've not heard much about Stockade Brewing Co until quite recently. I've seen them pop up on Instagram a fair bit lately which they are quite active, but they don't have a presence in bottle shops in Brisbane yet. I'm always keen to try new beers and that's what I'm doing.

Peachy Keen Peach Gose

First cab of the rank is the Peachy Keen Peach Gose. Gose is one of those styles that I haven't had much exposure to but one that seems perfectly suited to warm weather. Today is once again a typical early-Autumn day in Brisbane (meaning stupidly humid and warm) so this is going down perfectly. Lots of peach flavour on the nose and palate, with a strong sour notes that cut right through the peach. Not very hoppy, leaves a peach juice aftertaste which is wholly enjoyable. Great start.

The Sesh Golden Session Ale

Most session type beers I've had in the past are hoppy, but The Sesh is different. Massive amount of malt complexity going on, with a sweet caramel flavour all the way through. Not overly bitter at first but as the sweet malt flavour disappears I'm left with a refreshing bitterness. I'm truly surprised how much I enjoy this beer, it's delicious.

Duel Hoppy Lager

The Duel Hoppy Larger is brewed with Vienna malt and Ella hops. Both kind of fighting each other to be the dominant flavour. I guess that's where the name "Duel" comes from. It's really interesting as I can taste the two flavours inter-playing with each other. Lagers aren't my favourite style but with the extra hoppiness it's going down very nicely.

Chop Shop Pale Ale

Last but not least is the Chop Shop Pale Ale. A hoppy American style pale ale brewed with Fuggles and Cascade Hops. Big hop flavours punctuated with pine, citrus and tropical fruits. A bit of sweetness that then transitions to a slight bitterness. Very moreish.

Packaging is great, each bottle has eye catching artwork as well as information about the beers (hops, malts, IBU's, food pairings etc). It's a small thing but is appreciated.

I've had a great little session with these Stockade Brew Co beers. I hope to see them in bottle shops up here in Brisbane sometime soon. I've also seen they do an Oak-Aged series of beers, how good does that sound!

Thanks for reading, and as always, drink well.
-BeerFoodBrisbane

Favourite New (to me) Beer - February 2016

February has come and gone. Another great month with plenty of truly exceptional beers to enjoy. There were however, three new beers that I was lucky enough to enjoy that stood out for me (all Aussies this month too).

Favourite new beer for the month though, was the Keller Door IIPA from 4 Pines Brewing Company.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BB4cF5HwtEx/

That's some wicked artwork on the bottle, but the contents of said bottle deserved it. Big bitter and hop flavours with a balanced malt backbone and tons of citrus and tropical fruits. I'm a fan of the Keller Door series of beers from 4 Pines but this is by far my favourite of the range. Hopefully we get to see this again next year. Please???

Another thing I wanted to mention too, there is so much popularity around 4 Pines and their Keller Door beers. Their core range is great, but all these limited release beers they do really gets the social media beers nerds excited. I love it!

A couple of special mentions (which were both enjoyed at The Mill last week).

Mornington Peninsula Brewery - The Beast. I might have gone into the Beast with the preconceived notion that I was going to enjoy it as the regular RIS from MP is great, so it's no surprise to see it in this blog post. The Beast has everything the regular RIS has but turned up to 11.

Boatrocker Brewing Company - Braeside Crown Cola. Probably the biggest surprise beer this month. I was expecting something sickly sweet and not that enjoyable but that wasn't the case at all. Smooth, bit of booze, hints of coconut, lovely warming feeling. So good I went back for a couple more.

March is going to be awesome for the Brisbane craft beer scene as it's Brewsvegas time! Lots of great events coming up. If you see my ugly face out and about come say hello.

Thanks for reading, and as always, drink well.

-BeerFoodBrisbane