Canberra Brewers

Kölsch Bier in Cologne

By Stuart Whytcross

When in Germany, time must be put aside to visit Dortmund, Düsseldorf and Cologne, all of which are literally next door to each other. These cities are steeped in a proud brewing tradition, and when it comes to beer, they are as passionate as anyone.

The rivalry between Cologne and Düsseldorf is fierce and goes back hundreds of years. There are no road signs in either direction that will tell you how to get from one city to another, and apparently asking for a Kölsch bier in Düsseldorf, or an Alt bier in Cologne is enough to have you immediately escorted from the premises.

Debacle's Czech Beer Degustation

By Patrick Baggoley

Debacle in Braddon is keen to become known as a high-quality beer destination and at the forefront of this noble aim are its beer degustation nights.

The Czech Beer Degustation on March 4 was Debacle’s third in what hopefully becomes a long tradition. While I didn’t attend the first, a German night, I was lucky enough to attend the Belgian night and based on that alone I’ll be doing whatever I can to make it to more.

The Czech night cost $85 per person which included five courses and five matching beers. And we’re talking decent serves of both.

The Thirsty Crow

By Stephen Norrie

On ANZAC day weekend this year, my wife and I were in the Hunter region for a wedding. We decided to stop in at the Potters Brewery in Nulkaba, for the Sunday night, for a spot of two-up and a look around the brewery.

Craig Wealands, one of the brewers at Potters, showed me around and also kindly shared some samples of Potters beers, including their Kolsch, Pale Ale and their excellent Porter.

It turns out that Craig is soon moving back to his home town of Wagga Wagga, to open the towns first craft brewery, The Thirsty Crow, at 31 Kincaid St. The Brewery has just received its 500 litre brewery and the development application has been approved, with the doors to open around July this year.

The Thirsty Crow’s line up will include a Red Light Ale, Kolsch, American Pale Ale, an ESB, Robust Porter, Batlow Apple Cider, a Hefeweizen (which I was lucky enough to sample) and some seasonals. You can follow the progress of the Thirsty Crow on Facebook.

Sydney bus trip

By Tom Dixon, Social Secretary

G’day brewers. Well the 2010 events calendar is quickly filling, with the Wig and Pen Brew Day set for 5 June and the Sydney Bus trip departing on 15 May. The Bus trip is sure to be popular with Rob Freshwater of Malt Shovel Brewery kindly offering to take us through their macro-brewery in Camperdown. Following the tour, I’m hoping to write-off all that we’ve learnt with a comprehensive pub-crawl of Sydney’s finest including; Lord Nelson, James Squire Brew House, The Australian, Harts Pub, Belgians, Redoak, Macquarie and The Local Taphouse.

Other upcoming events include the Presidents Brew Day in late April/early May, where Darryl plans to pop someone’s All Grain cherry. We’re also working towards a Zeirholz brew day, so keep an eye out on the Social Scene forum.