While Mike was there, the beer gods smiled on him. The Tasmanian Microbrew Fest was taking place. Yes, craft brewing has even reached Tasmania. Ever watchful for things beery, Mike packed his tucker bag, got over to the festival, and took some pictures.
Over to you, Mike.
Tasmanian Micro Brews
by Mike Horton
My normal stance at Israeli beer festivals is
shooting photographs over Doug Greener’s shoulder. Before spending the month of
September in Tasmania where my sister lives, I suggested to Doug that I prepare
a short illustrated article on what I could find there.
As luck would have it, the Tasmanian Microbrew Fest was held the first weekend I was there in a large warehouse hard by the Aurora Australis, the ship that makes trips to Antarctica and which is painted bright orange.
As luck would have it, the Tasmanian Microbrew Fest was held the first weekend I was there in a large warehouse hard by the Aurora Australis, the ship that makes trips to Antarctica and which is painted bright orange.
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| The good ship Aurora Australis (far left) is docked beside the Tasmania Microbrew venue. |
Just inside the entrance was Dan McWilliams of the Taverner's Tasmanian Boutique Brewery, who
uses wonderful Tasmanian honey in his ales and porter. It was still wintry
outside but I was left with the impression that these would be perfect on a
warm summer evening.
Stephen Brooks goes under the name of Captain
Bligh's, and his Colonial Ale had a rich coffee flavor.
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| www.captainblighs.com.au/ |
The Kick Snare Brewing guys prepare their own malt
and were generous with their samples which were excellent. I took a few bottles
back but my brother-in-law felt that the pale ale lacked flavor.
A 16-minute drive outside Hobart brings you to
the Margate train where the Devils Brewery is housed in one of the
carriages. Their Coffee Stout uses the train on its label although the original
engine does not have a cow-catcher. The Tasmanian devil appears on the
other labels. Having tasted their beers at the festival, I desisted from
re-sampling the beers.
If one looks past the Margate train, Bruny
Island lies not far out to sea. At the festival, the Bruny Island Beer Co. only had their Farm Ale to
taste. Their cheese company established by Nick Haddow (not the guy in the photo below) is well known in Australia.
Brendan Parnell of the Hobart Brewing Co. also presented a single beer which gave a smoky after-taste that has an apple core dryness. Tasmania is well
known for its apples so it is only natural that they should be used in beer.
On my last day in Tasmania, a friend took me up to Mount Fields
and above the snowline. On the way we travelled along the Derwent River, one of
the large hop growing areas, passing hop fields although it was too early for
the plants to sprout.
Modern hop drying methods are being introduced so many of the old
oast houses have been incorporated into hotels.
Wow! Did Mike bring back souvenirs to taste?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, no.
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