Upon starting my workday, I really shouldn’t be scanning beer blogs. Unfortunately, the disturbingly nocturnal Phil Cook seems to always post an excellent read just as I am about to begin something productive. Worse, this time it’s motivated me to bloggery with its libertarian-enraging opening paragraph talking about regulation and […]
I’ve been taking a break from blogging, and indeed writing in general lately. I don’t really know why. I’ve just struggled to find something that hasn’t already been said, and usually more eloquently than I could say it. I’m not averse to some deceased equine beating, I just think that […]
Christmas eh? I love it. I love it for the same reasons PC loves it. People are nice to each other because they want to be. Commercialism is embraced instead of vilified. And possibly best of all, ’tis the season to be jolly! Yep, that means beer for me, although […]
A lot has happened lately. Myself and Phil Murray have accidentally launched a contract brewery, SOBA‘s long running radler trademark dispute is awaiting judgement, and I’ve become enamoured of the delights of Melbourne during Good Beer Week. This blog update is about none of those things! Instead, I’m throwing in […]
Evangelistic brother / Should be banging a tambourine Go wash your hands and fingers / Until your mind is clean Now, it might be more than a little naff to begin a blog post by quoting Tears for Fears, but I caught a snatch of Mr Pessimist the other day, […]
Oh no, not again. Look, I want so badly to write something positive about DB. I’ve said time and time again that I don’t care who makes good beer, so long as it IS good beer. I’d heard exciting things about Single Source – a beer from DB that talked […]
As the organiser for this year’s SOBA National Homebrewing Competition, I’ve now seen every aspect of NZ’s premier homebrewing competition from the other side. I have to say, I have a newfound respect for all the previous years judges, stewards, and organisers. Something that’s always intrigued me, as an entrant, […]
DB are the champion brewer of NZ for 2010. It’s official. You’re all waiting for my long and angry rant now, aren’t you? Go on, admit it. It’s OK, if you’d been around when I heard the news (as several good friends were – apologies to Jamie, Phil, Kieran, Graeme […]
One of the most refreshing aspects about craft beer for me is the lack of … there’s no polite way to say it … marketing bullshit. I’ve never heard a craft brewer claim their beer was “brewed 33% longer”, or any such ludicrous statement. I’ve always taken it as a […]
Last night, I had the pleasure of being “the beer team” in a beer versus wine food matching debate/experience at House in Hamilton. I had the greater pleasure of winning that debate, despite an excellent (and extremely gracious) battle with “the wine team” – Dan Thursby from Hamilton Wine Company. […]