Favourite New (to me) Beer - September 2016

Every time I sit down and go through Untappd, looking at the new beers I've been lucky enough to try I get reminded of how good the craft beer scene is in Brisbane. Literally a day doesn't go by where there isn't something happening. And event here, a new beer launch there, tap take overs, new bars opening, good beer is everywhere in Brisbane and it's just getting better.

Favourite new beer of the month for September 2016 for me was Boatrocker's Coffee Ramjet. I've seen this pop up on social media a lot and to be lucky enough to find a bottle up here was very exciting. Lots of dark chocolate and roasty flavours, with big coffee and whiskey notes towards the end. Thick mouthfeel made this a joy to sit and sip.

Oskar Blues - Ten Fidy was also an excellent beer. I've seen this one a lot on social media too, When I learned Oskar Blues beers were coming to Australia I knew I had to find them, and this one did not disappoint. I also learned it's called Ten Fidy because it's 10.5% alcohol, haha.

Brewtal Brewers - Double Kick is a local Brisbane beer. Everything I've had from Brewtal Brewers is smashing and the Double Kick was the same. Hoppy, bitter, piney, it was everything you'd expect from a double IPA.

Brouhaha Brewery - Finger Lime IPA, had this on tap at Beer InCider this year and it was delicious. The sweet tart flavour of the finger lime mixed perfectly with their smashing IPA. The good thing about Brouhaha is that they nearly always have a fruit IPA available, To me, fruit and IPA work so well.

Well that's about it for September. October is going to be an awesome month with a ton of great events coming up. Can't wait.

Cheers,
David (BeerFoodBrisbane)

Oktoberfest at Newstead Brewing Co

Newstead Brewing Co is one of my favourite breweries. With a great core range of beers, small batch beers always on tap and selection of guest taps you can always find something nice to drink. So when I learned that they were doing an Oktoberfest event this year I just had to be there.

And just like everything Newstead does, it did not disappoint.

Gotta love that take home stein glass.

Starting with the beer, there were two beers brewed by Newstead specifically for Oktoberfest. Kaiser Sauer is a mouth puckering sour ale, and Kaiser Schwein a very smoky and rich rauchbier with interesting flavours all the way through. I tried these beers first and second, which was probably not the wisest decision but I wanted to give them a go before the days festivities took the best of my taste-buds (and sensibilities).

 

They also put a couple of  Weihenstephaner beers on tap, the Pils and the Hefe that always go down a treat. As well as Croft Brewing Co's Quick Draw which is a smoked helles that I hadn't had before. The Newstead rauchbier was intense with the smoky flavours while the helles was much more subtle (but equally as tasty).

As far as food went, we ate like kings and there is absolutely no chance that anyone would have left hungry. From the bread and pretzels on the table when we got there, to the continuous amounts of meat and sides that kept coming out. Highlights for me were the selection of sausages (that cheese kransky was amazing), and the pork schnitzel.

Musical entertainment was provided by these fellows who did a great job in getting the crowed into the Oktoberfest spirit. There were chicken dances, horn blowing contests, and a whole lot of fun.

Tickets were just over $80 and that included all the food that came out, four refills of the stein glass, the live entertainment and you got to take the glass home at the end of the day too. It's great when you can go out to an event and not have to worry about money. There should be more events like that.

I sit here feeling a little tender but all in all Oktoberfest at Newstead Brewing Co was an great day and one I'd recommend to anyone. The beers were excellent, the food was awesome, the place was alive and everyone was having an amazing time. 

Thank you for reading, and as always, drink good beer.

Cheers,

David (BeerFoodBrisbane)