Short break

Well the last time it took me over 2 weeks to post, the blog went on brief hiatus, and that's what's happening again now.

Last time it was due to an overwhelming cider addiction that took a good 4 months or so to get out of my system. This time it's something far more gay... I'm shedding my winter coat. And with winter coat shed comes carb cutting time and what's the one thing that just SLAUGHTERS you when it comes to expanding a gut? Oh yeah, beer. Of course the one thing I derive an amazing amount of pleasure from was going to be bad for me, it always is.

But, just like last time, that doesn't mean this little phase will last long. It just is what it is right now. Here I am, sucking on vodka, soda and lime every day, missing all my delicious wheat beers and pales, while you bastards enjoy them in front of me. Well I'll be back in the game soon again, my friends, don't you worry about that.

Did I mention I'm going to a microbrew fest next week?

Call me a fucking pussy or whatever you want, but I have been and am currently on a no-beer diet. Hey man, every now and then, you do look down at that beer gut and the pride you feel 99% of the time about it just isn't there. And by isn't there, I mean the pride, not the gut. The gut is ALL there. And I have spent years working on my beer gut, it's not something I take lightly. Also it's not that I'm not drinking, it's just not carb-overloaded beer. But don't worry, come microbrew tasting time next week, I'll be back in the game. Call it a situational crisis beer detox.

The one thing I do want to talk about ahead of a report on the microbrew fest - October 20, motherfucker! - is the Endeavour samples I got sent. New microbrewery based in NSW producing two products - a Pale and an Amber. Now note, any positive comments I have to say about these brews I say without any bias which is difficult when you get beer samples delivered to your door... shit man, if Cooper's sent me Pale ale through the mail I'm sure I could be turned back... well, maybe... well probably not. But there would be drinking involved.

So yes, I'm happy to report that both the Pale and Amber were fucking delicious. Both super smooth - the pale more about the honey, the amber more about the banana. But both with a great balance of flavours and just exceptional all round. I like my smooth ales and these both put a giant tick in that particular box. The only criticism is that they need different labels to distinguish between the pale and the amber. Drunk folk wouldn't be able to tell the difference - I confused a bayonet and screw light globe the other day, ended up with the wrong one, very upsetting. Aside from that, can't recommend this brewery highly enough, good work folks - more about them here - www.endeavourbeer.com

So the next blog will be later next week post-microbrew fest times, and the balls of a hangover I'll no doubt be suffering.

Enough with the freakin' wheat beers already? Nah.

Not long ago I was virtually a spokesperson for Cooper's Pale Ale (SA) - these days the thought of it and that all too familiar sediment makes me die a little inside. Particularly when walking into a pub and seeing no other options - though I can deal with it (to a point) if it's on tap, especially if I've been drinking (a lot) beforehand (did I mention a lot?).

To go from that to being so full on and passionate at present with (mostly Belgian and German) wheat beers is kinda strange, since the difference between that incredibly average pale and a rich, smooth wheat beer are worlds apart. But that's what's called growing up apparently... or some cliched crap like that.

So a rundown of some great wheat beers tried of late, and one atrocity;

Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse Dunkel (GER) - I bought this from Dan Murphy's which is a bit of a ballsy move since, aside from your obvious Chimay and Duvel brands, the Dan Murphy's selection is generally rarely any good. You wouldn't expect anything less given their imported beer selection contains some absolutely horrible stuff. I'm sorry, Stella Artois fans, but what the fuck. Stella Artois is a disgrace, an embarrassment to the greatness in beer that Belgium has to offer. Most popular Belgian beer? Get fucked. We all know popularity and quality are rarely used in the same sentence. Anyway, I really liked the way they brought out the banana flavour in this. It was present but without being over-powering - perfect. Whereas tasting banana and then bitter hops is just wrong in my opinion. Which is where....

3 Ravens Rye (VIC) fails. Here, they take their bland White product, kick up the banana and bitterness, and create a variation of their original product which is certainly more interesting but not any more pleasant. 3 Ravens need to stay the hell away from any more wheat beer attempts - 2 from 2 fails. I'm sick of hating on them when I had so much love to give not long ago.

Weihenstephaner Vitus and Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbeir Dunkel (Belgium) - OH HELL DAMN MOTHER FUCKING YES...... TESTIFY! Weihenstephan, you have roped me in even after that very average initial meeting with the Hefe. Now I believe in you.

The Edelweiss Weissbier (GER) in the above image will be tried this week.

Oh yeah and the La Fin Du Monde (CAN) box lasted all of four seconds. Who am I kidding, it was never going to last for long. Shared with mates on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Melbourne last weekend. Whilst ridiculously drunk. But still enjoyed and appreciated thoroughly.

Next blog I'll talk about the Endeavour Brewery (NSW) samples I received last week. And I'm very happy to report that both the Pale and Amber were fucking great. But more soon.

PS. Forget to mention in that "one off" Bloody Mary post - use Holbrooks worcestershire over Lea & Perrins. Far better experience.