Wednesday, June 30, 2010
New Beers!
Check out the extended list of European arrivals and glassware and some brief notes on our new Aussie craft beers below.
AUSSIE CRAFT BEER
Our range of quality Australian beer was bolstered last week with new arrivals from Holgate, Bright Brewery, Red Duck, Old Coast Road and Little Creatures. We haven’t given much information about the breweries themselves, suffice to say they are amongst Australia’s best. Each brews beer of consistent quality, clearly differentiating their products from other mainstream fair.
The new beers include:
Holgate
Beelzebub’s Jewels
It is fantastic to see Australian breweries pushing the boundaries with beers such as Beelzebub’s Jewels. This limited edition 750ml triple-fermented, barrel-aged and wax sealed barley wine is a true work of art. Brewed to 12.5% ABV, the beer’s bold and assertive character is accentuated by aging in a French oak barrel still carrying a trace of Pinot Noir, and a judicious application of barrel-hops. Something special.
Temptress Chocolate Porter
This fantastic beer picked up a gold medal at the 2010 Australian International Beer Awards. It is a tempting twist on the classic robust porter, brewed with over 300 kg of malt and infused with a dash of rich Dutch cocoa and whole vanilla beans. Luscious chocolate, coffee, and caramel flavors are balanced by a hint of vanilla and a body of 6% alcohol.
Pilsner
The best selling beer at Holgate’s Brewhouse, this pilsner is true to the Czech style – light straw in colour, with a clean malt profile and the characteristic grassy/floral hop flavours and aromas of Czech Saaz hops. Like all good pilsners, this beer is crisp and refreshing – the perfect foil for a hard earned thirst.
ESB
Another gold medal winner at this year’s AIBAs, Holgate’s ESB is named after the classic English “bitter” style. This Pale Ale is copper-red in colour and is big on hops - both bittering and aroma. A special blend of crystal and roast malts contribute to a light roast/nutty flavour that balances the bitterness.
Mount Macedon Ale
This distinctive modern Pale Ale was inspired by the Kolsch pale ales of Cologne, but adapted by brewer Paul Holgate, utilising a London ale yeast and generous additions of zesty American aroma hops. Mt Macedon Ale has a honey/red colour and moderate bitterness, making it an easy drinking ale with a nice floral hop kick.
Red Duck Brewery
Amber Ale
A great session beer, with hints of caramel and toffee rounding out a strong malt profile. As with all good English ales, this beer will benefit from a slightly warmer serving temperature (around 12C).
Bengal IPA
Red Duck Bengal IPA is a beer that pays homage to the original British IPAs. A modern touch comes from Centennial and Cascade hop aromas. The bitterness is moderate for this style, around 55-60 IBUs. At 7% Alc/vol, this is a really drinkable IPA.
Porter
Red Duck Porter is not as black as a stout, similar, but with more body and a greater complexity mainly due to the array of different specialty malts, including roast barley. Absent is any burnt, bitter flavours – instead you’ll find hints of dark chocolate, toffee, molasses, treacle and liquorice.
Overland Bright Ale
Inspired by the rugged beauty of the Overland Track; pristine, refreshing and all natural. An American style pale ale, made from malt barley and wheat, American ale yeast and mostly Cascade hops. Brilliantly clear, fresh aromatics, easy, clean drinking with a crisp dry finish.
Bright Brewery
Lager
Bright Lager features grain that’s grown on a farm just down the road, and hops from their local Alpine Valleys. A well balanced, clean and refreshing pilsner.
Razorback Witbier
This Belgian-style wit is brewed using unmalted triticale wheat grown nearby in the Ovens Valley, at the base of Mount Buffalo. It has a light refreshing flavour with hints of coriander.
Fainters Dubbel
The Fainters Dubbel is a Belgian abbey-style Brune beer, rich in malt flavours accentuated with raisins and spicy cloves. At 8.5% alcohol treat it with reverence, lest it smite you down.
Little Creatures
Single Batch Brown Ale
Following on from the India Pale Ale earlier in the year, Little Creatures have released a unique and interesting Brown Ale. The focus is on Australian hops, in particular Tasmanian Hallertau and Cascade, Topaz and Galaxy, which have been added in four additions in the brewing process – early and late kettle, whirlpool and hopback. The result – a beer with a fantastic hop aroma combined with a punchy bitterness. There is plenty of malt in the back to balance out the hops including pale ale, munich, crystal, rye and roast malt.
Old Coast Road
Acres of Wheat
A German style Hefeweizen (cloudy wheat beer) from Myalup’s Old Coast Road Brewery – it is fresh, zingy and full of all the assertive flavours you’d expect from any quality German hefe. Prost!
ATTN: MELBOURNE BEER LOVERS
Twisted Tastes have been paving the way for beer tasting and appreciation nights in Melbourne. They are currently gauging interest for a beer appreciation night, or even beer and food matched degustation dinner amongst international beer shop members living in Melbourne.
TT currently have a venue which can accommodate around 30 members, for monthly tastings of between 6-8 seasonal beers.
Interested parties can email Sally for more information @ info@twistedtastes.com.au
ATTN: PERTH BEER LOVERS
Perth beer lovers needn’t feel left out. Our very own beer appreciation group, BEERTaster, will be holding their next tasting in the last week of July. For more information email Anthony, at beertasters@hotmail.com
NEW ARRIVALS
Our list of new arrivals, arranged by country, and loosely organized by brewery. Please email or phone us if you have any questions.
BELGIUM:
Beer
Style
Hoegaarden Grand Cru 330ml
Belgian Strong Ale
Hoegaarden Forbidden Fruit 330ml
Belgian Strong Dark Ale
La Chouffe 330ml and 750ml
Belgian Strong Ale
Mc Chouffe 330ml and 750ml
Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Houblon Chouffe 750ml
Belgian IPA
Big Chouffe 1.5L
Belgian Strong Ale
Orval
Belgian Wild Ale
Westmalle Dubbel 330ml and 750ml
Belgian Brune
Westmalle Tripel 330ml and 750ml
Abbey Triple
Rochefort 6 330ml
Belgian Brune
Rochefort 8 330ml
Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Rochefort 10 330ml
Quadruple
Achel Blonde 330ml
Abbey Triple
Adriaen Brouwer Finest Dark Gold Ale 750ml
Belgian Strong Ale
Belle-Vue Kriek 300ml
Kriek
Gulden Draak 330ml and 750ml
Dark Triple
De Koninck 1833 300ml
Belgian Ale
Kwak 330ml
Belgian Strong Ale
Rodenbach 250ml
Flemish Red Ale
Rodenbach Grand Cru 330ml
Flemish Red Ale
Rodenbach Vintage 2007 750ml
Flemish Red Ale
De Dolle Arabier 330ml
Belgian Strong Ale
Leffe 9 Blue Foil 330ml
Belgian Strong Ale
Chimay Red 750ml
Belgian Brune
Chimay White 330ml
Abbey Triple
Bush Amber 250ml
Quadruple
Bush Blonde 250ml
Belgian Strong Ale
Bush Prestige 750ml
Quadruple
Palm Speciale 300ml and 750ml
Belgian Ale
Palm Green Alcohol Free 300ml
Belgian Ale A/F
Kasteel Rouge Kriek 330ml
Kriek
Kapittel Prior 330ml
Belgian Strong Ale
Kapittel Dubbel 330ml
Belgian Brune
Kapittel ABT 330ml
Abbey Triple
Poperings Hommelbier 750ml
Belgian IPA
Slaapmutske Blond 330ml
Belgian Blonde
Slaapmutske Bruin 330ml
Belgian Brune
Slaapmutske Christmas 330ml
Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Delirium Nocturnum 330ml
Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Jupiler 250ml
Pilsner
Tripel Karmeliet 330ml
Abbey Triple
Deus 750ml
Brut
Affligem Blond 330ml
Belgian Strong Ale
Gouden Carlous Classic 330ml
Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Couden Carolus Tripel 330ml
Abbey Triple
Gouden Carlus Hopsinjoor 330ml
Belgian IPA
Boon Gueze 375ml
Gueuze Lambic
Boon Framboise 375ml
Framboise Lambic
Boon Gueze Marriage Parfait 375ml
Gueuze Lambic
Liefmans Fruit Beer 250ml
Fruit Beer
Liefmans Kriek 375ml
Kriek
Brugse Zot Blond 330ml
Belgian Blonde
Brugse Zot Dubbel 330ml
Belgian Brune
Martin’s Pale Ale 330ml
Belgian Pale Ale
Gordon’s Scotch Ale 330ml
Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Mongozo Mango 330ml
Fruit Beer
Mongozo Banana 330ml
Fruit Beer
Augustijn Blonde 330ml
Belgian Blonde
HOLLAND:
Budels Capujicn 300ml
Belgian Brune
Budels Malt Alcohol Free 300ml
Lager A/F
Grolsch Pils 1.5L
Pilsner
La Trappe Isid’or 750ml
Golden Ale
Ij Wit 330ml
Imperial Wit
Christoffel Blond 330ml
Imperial Pilsner
Christoffel Robertus 330ml
Vienna Lager
Christoffel Nobel 330ml
IPA
Schelde Zeezuiper 330ml
Abbey Triple
Schelde Lamme Goedzak 330ml
Belgian Strong Ale
Schelde Oester Stout 330ml
Belgian Imperial Stout
Schelde Kerstbier 330ml
Christmas Beer
Gulpener Korenwolf 330ml
Witbier
De Molen Pilz 330ml
Kellerbier
De Molen Bloed Zweet & Tranen 330ml
Imperial Smoked Stout
De Molen Molenbier 330ml and 750ml
Strong English Ale
De Molen Bommen & Granaten 330ml and 750ml
Barley Wine
De Molen Hel & Verdomenis 330ml and 750ml
Imperial Stout
De Molen Jong & Onbedeorven 750ml
Weizenbock
De Molen Amarillo 330ml and 750ml
IPA
De Molen Vuur & Vlam 330ml and 750ml
IPA
De Molen Saaz Hop Burst 750ml
IPA
De Molen Tsarina Esra 180ml
Imperial Porter
De Molen Hemel & Aarde 180ml
Imperial Smoked Stout
De Molen 666 Oak Aged 750ml
Oak Aged Imperial Stout
GERMANY / OTHER:
H.Pschorr Kellerbier 500ml
Kellerbier
H.Pschorr Sternweisse 500ml
Hefeweizen
H.Pschorr Hefeweisse 500ml
Hefeweizen
H.Pschorr Munchner Gold 500ml
Munich Lager
Einbecker Mai-ur-bock 330ml
Maibock
Einbecker Urbock Dunkel 330ml
Urbock
Schnitzer Brau Gluten Free 330ml
Gluten Free Lager
Warsteiner Alcohol Free 330ml
Alcohol Free Lager
Bitburger Alcohol Free 330ml
Alcohol Free Lager
OTHER:
Guinness Special Extra Stout 330ml (Ireland)
Extra Stout
Fraoch 20th Anniversary Ale 750ml (Scotland)
Traditional Ale
Belzebuth 13% 250ml (France)
Belgian Strong Ale
GLASSWARE:
Duvel 330ml
Duvel 3L
Tripel Karmeliet 330ml
Kwak with Stand 330ml
Gouden Carlous 330ml
Belle-Vue 330ml
Jupiler 330ml
Delirium Tremens 330ml
Sunner Kolsch 200ml
Riegeler 200ml
Anchor 300ml
Aventinus 500ml
Boon Faro 300ml
Boon Kriek 300ml
De Dolle Oerbier 330ml
Gouden Draak 330ml
Rogue 440ml
Hoegaarden Forbidden Fruit 330ml
Orval 330ml
Chimay 330ml
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Clearance specials as of 27/6/10
St Peter's Best Bitter $6.99 singles/ $23.99 four-pack/ $61.99 carton(12)
Best Before 14/9/10
St Peter's Old Style Porter $6.99 singles/ $23.99 four-pack/ $61.99 carton(12)
BB: 1/7/10
St Peter's IPA $4.50 singles/ $14.99 four-pack/ $44.99 carton (12)
BB: 1/7/10
Young's Double Chocolate Stout Cans $4.50 singles/ $14.99 four-pack/ $79.99 carton(24)
BB: 24/7/10
Saranac Pale Ale $17.99 six-pack/ $61.99 carton(24)
BB: 1/8/10
Courage Director's $24.99 8-pack/ $39.99 carton (16)
BB: 1/5/10
Riegeler Pilsner $13.99 6-pack + a glass/ $44.99 carton(24) + 2 glasses!
Kosciusko Pale Ale $15.99 6-pack/ $27.99 carton(12)
BB: 6/8/10
Gauloise Ambree 750ml $8.99 singles/ $23.99 3-pack
BB: 3/8/10
Andechs Dunkel Weiss $5.90 singles/ $20.00 4-pack/ $87.00 carton(20)
BB: 23/6/10
Castello $37.99 carton(24)
BB: 04/10
Windhoek $42.99 carton(24)
BB: 04/10
Primator $19.99 Mixed 4-pack
Sunner Bio-Colonia or Hefe $14.99 4-pack
St Benoit Blonde+Brune $15.99 4-pack/ $84.99 carton(24)
Friday, June 25, 2010
Huge new shipment!
New beer is here! And new glassware! We have just received a huge shipment of new beer and glassware from Europe. In fact, we can happily say we've never had this much premium, quality beer in the store at any one time. We have way too much beer to fit in one newsletter (our attempt stalled at over five pages), stay tuned for Part II in the next few days!
Over 130 beers are new, many are Australian firsts, and many haven't been in stock for years. Also back in, stacks of Belgian beer glasses - all the favourites such as Kwak Coachman Glasses (with stand), Duvel, Triple Karmeliet, Gulden Draak, Hoegaarden Grand Cru and Forbidden Fruit and Gouden Carolus. We also have fresh stock of all of these beers. Our next newsletter will have a complete list of new arrivals - it is a lengthy read indeed!
Although it is hard to pick a favourite, we'd have to say that we are most excited by the arrival of a incredible range of innovative and delicious beers from Dutch master brewer De Molen. Check out the brewery profile just below.
Not forgetting fantastic Australian craft beer, we have also just received new batches of Victoria's best, including the fabulous Holgate Temptress Chocolate Porter (Gold Medal at the 2010 Australian International Beer Awards) and the very limited Beezlebub's Jewels.
More great Australian new arrivals come from Bright Brewery, Nail Brewing and Red Duck. We'll have more information in our next newsletter, or check out our website for details.
Other than what is mentioned above, some particular highlights of our new shipment/s include:
NEW ARRIVALS
Chouffe Houblon Dobbelen IPA Tripel
Rodenbach Vintage 2007
Bush Prestige Barrel Aged
Fraoch 20th Anniversary Barrel Aged
Brewdog Paradox Springbank Imperial Stout
Marten's Pale Ale
La Trappe Isid'Or
Gordon's Scotch Ale
Liefmans Blended Fruitbier
Slaapmutske Christmas Bier
FAVOURITES BACK IN
Schnitzer Brau (Gluten Free German Lager)
Belle Vue Kriek
Jupiler
Hoegaarden Grand Cru & Forbidden Fruit
Guinness Special Export Stout
Palm
De Koninck 1833
Gulpener Korenwolf
Our website should have brief descriptions and pricing - let us know if it doesn't!
DE MOLEN
De Molen's reputation is literally second to none amongst European brewers. Earlier this year ratebeer.com, one of the world's biggest databases and resources for all things beer, rated De Molen as Europe's best brewery (eg better than Mikkeller, Nogne O and Westvleteren, a hefty feat indeed). Like many of the world's most impressive breweries, De Molen was started by a passionate homebrewer out of a garage. De Molen's range and reputation have grown steadily over the last few years, although the brewery hasn't - De Molen's 500L capacity brewery is certainly one of the smallest we deal with!
From De Molen, we have received a great selection of stouts, porters, smoked beers and hop bombs - all of which come in individually numbered bottles of incredibly limited release. These fantastic beers will not last long. We've almost sold out of Black Damnation - a 13% ABV blend of De Molen's Hel & Verdoemenis Imperial Stout and De Struis Black Albert Belgian Imperial Stout, and the others in the range will follow soon. Other than Black Damnation, descriptions of our current De Molen beers are included below (nb: notes shamelessly poached from De Molen's website as we haven't had a chance to write descriptors for these great beers yet):
Bloed, Zweet & Tranen - "Blood, Sweat &Tears (Bruichladdich Version)"
An Imperial Smoked Stout born from a mistake during the brewing process, it's a unique combination of smoked Bruichladdich malts and smoked malts from Bamberg. It's sweet and bitter with a mix of fruit, coffee and chocolate. And - of course - an even more dominant smoke flavour.
Hemel & Aarde - "Heaven &Earth"
An Imperial Stout made with the most heavily peated malt in the world from the Bruichladdich distillery. Almost pitch black and opaque, small head. Furiously peated aroma, hiding the malt, licorice and dark chocolate somewhat. Very full bodied, thick mouthfeel, like fluid bread. Dark chocolate, loads of peat, lapsang souchong tea, chocolate cake, culminating in an almost endless aftertaste that also has licorice.
Hel & Verdoemenis - "Hell & Damnation"
An Imperial Russian Stout brewed with brown malts, an English traditional specialty malt, this beer has won prizes at festivals across Europe from Sweden to Italy. It's big (10% ABV), black, roasted and complex. We are convinced that not trying this ale will be a mortal sin to your taste buds and beer experience.
Hel & Verdoemenis Barrel Aged 666
Hel & Verdoemenis aged on oak chips which have been soaked in cognac. A truly unique and amazing experience.
Mikkel & Menno Weizenbock
A collaboration brew between Mikkeller and De Molen; a hoppy, malty and flavoursome Weizenbock.
Rasputin
De Molen's first Imperial Russian Stout is named after probably the most famous Russian of the Romanov court. According to De Molen's own imaginary set of events, Rasputin was personally responsible for the fact that during the rule of Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra this style was born. So this is why they have dedicated this beer to Rasputin. It's brewed only once or twice each year in a limited edition.
Tsarina Esra
Imperial Porter is a relatively new style that arose simultaneously in both Europe and North America. In fact it's a stronger version of the Baltic Porters that were brewed in England for export to the Baltic countries. And Baltic Porters are in fact stronger than the regular English Porter. To put it in short: it's more of more. But they cannot be compared to their brothers the Imperial Stouts. They certainly have the same malty character but the heavy roasted malt is absent.
Porter 1914
Brewed to an original English recipe dating back to 1914, which Ron Patterson found in an abandoned English building.
Amarillo
An Imperial IPA that got its name from the American hop used in the brewing process. Amarillo is a powerful hop in aroma, flavour and bitterness. But of course we used other hops as well creating a beautiful combination. Not a beer to drink as a session beer but one to enjoy and savour.
Saaz Hopburst
This unique IPA brewed with only Saaz, the European noble hop traditionally used to flavour delicate German and Czech pilsners.
Vuur & Vlam
A northwest US style IPA, full of hop flavour but with a generous malt balance.
Molenbier - "Mill Beer"
One of De Molen's first recipes, and a beer they are still proud of. Molenbier is 9.2% ABV strong and flavourful English Ale. Well hopped, like most of their beers, in both aroma and flavour.
Jong & Onbedorven - "Young &Unspoiled"
Like a lamb frisks in a spring meadow, brewer's too are inspired by the love season. Rather than creating a Maibock (a traditional spring beer), De Molen instead brewed this seasonal Weizenbock. Fruit, flowers and fresh grass can be found in both aroma and flavour.Bommen & Granaten - "Bombs & Grenandes"
A US style Strong Ale / Barley Wine, which weighs in at a hefty 15% ABV. This dessert beer uses champagne yeast, which affect both flavour and body. There's plenty of fruit-like orange, tangerine and sweet apples. It's powerful and full bodied but still easy going.
Pilz
In the southern part of Germany it's custom to offer an unfiltered pilsner on tap next to the filtered and bottled pilsner. Because its unfiltered, this pilsner will remain lively and the yeast flavours will give you a real feeling of the pure natural product you're drinking. Like most De Molen beers, expect something unusual and full of flavour.
CLEARANCE SALE
We're also planning a really big sale, in the words of one of our suppliers, a MWFMB Sale - or "Make Way For More Beer Sale". The idea is to clear all of our stock which is approaching or has just passed best before date to make room for all of our new arrivals. We'll release more info next newsletter, so stay tuned. We will definitely have some absolute bargains.
That's all from us for now, we'll have the second half of this newsletter out in the next few days. In the meantime, come down to the store to check it all out for yourself!
Cheers
The International Beer Shop Team