International Beer Shop Blog

New European Arrivals

2011-06-28T19:20:00.001-07:00

A huge shipment from Europe just arrived, including stock of the following:

Holland
Alfa Edel-Pils 500ml
Wieckse Witte 300ml
De Prael Andre 330ml
De Prael Willy 330ml
De Prael Mary 330ml
Ij Paas (Easter Beer) 330ml
Christoffel Blonde 330ml
Gulpener Korenwolf 330ml
De Molen Donde & Bliksem 330ml
De Molen Piek & Ballen 750ml
De Molen Mout & Mocca 2 750ml
De Molen Bloed Zweet & Tranen 750ml
De Molen Rook & Vuur 750ml
De Molen Hel & Verdoemenis 330ml & 750ml

Belgium
Witterkerke Rose 250ml
La Chouffe 330ml
Mc Chouffe 330ml
Rochefort 10 330ml
Achel Blonde 330ml
Achel Brune 330ml
Sloeber 330ml
Bellevue Kriek 300ml
Westmalle Dubbel 750ml
De Koninck 1833 300ml
Rodenbach 250ml
Rodenbach Grand Cru 330ml
Rodenbach Vintage 2007 750ml
De Dolle Oerbier 330ml
Kfasteel Cuvee du Chateau 750ml
Poperings Hommelbier 250ml
Jupiler 250ml
Affligem Tripel 330ml
Affligem Blonde 330ml
Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van de Keizer Blue 750ml
Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van de Keizer Red 750ml
Gouden Carolus Paasbier (Easter Beer) 750ml
Witkap Stimulo 330ml
Boon Kriek 250ml
Boon Framboise 250ml
Liefmans Goudenband 375ml
Liefmans Fruitbeer 250ml
Brugse Zot Blonde 330ml
Leffe Blonde 300ml
Leffe Brune 300ml
Leffe Tripel 300ml
Leffe Radieuse 330ml
Chimay Blue 330ml & 750ml
Chimay Red 330ml & 750ml
Chimay White 330ml & 750ml
Duvel 330ml & 750ml
Tripel Karmeliet 330ml
Bush Amber 250ml
Maredsous Tripel 330ml
Vixen Imperial IPA 330ml
Vixen Ale 330ml
Vixen Porter 330ml

Germany
Andechs Hell 500ml
Andechs Doppelbock 500ml
Andechs Hefeweisse 500ml
H.PSchorr Animator 500ml

Scotland
Fraoch Heather Ale 500ml
Midnight Sun 500ml
Kelpie Seaweed Ale 500ml

Italy
Amarcord Volpina 500ml
Amarcord Grandisca 500ml
Amarcord Midona 500ml
Amarcord Tabachera 500ml

Glassware
Duvel
Tripel Karmeliet
Rochefort
La Chouffe
Delirium Tremens
Gulden Draak
Westmalle
Oerbier
Leffe
Hoegaarden
Aventinus
Chimay
De Ranke

BEERS DUE 26/05/11 - 05/06/11

2011-05-25T23:31:00.000-07:00

DUE SOON

USA

North Coast Red Seal

North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner

North Coast Old 38 Stout

North Coast Old Rasputin Imperial Stout

North Coast Pranqster

North Coast Brother Thelonius

North Coast Le Merle

North Coast Old Stock

Acme Californian Pale Ale

Acme Californian IPA

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA

Sierra Nevada Porter

Sierra Nevada Stout

Sierra Nevada Kellerweis

Sierra Nevada Summerfest

New Zealand

8 Wired iStout

8 Wired Big Smoke

8 Wired Tall Poppy

8 Wired Hopwired IPA

Emerson's Taieri George 2011

Emerson's Pilsner

Epic Mayhem

Epic Pale Ale

Tuatara APA

Yeastie Boys Hud-A-Wa Strong

Yeastie Boys Rex Attitude

Invercargill Sa!son

Norway

Haandbryggeriet Norwegian Wood

Haandbryggeriet Haandbakk

Haandbryggeriet Kreklingol

Haandbryggeriet Dobbel Dose

Haandbryggeriet Fyre & Flamme

Haandbryggeriet Bestefar

Holland

Alfa Pils

Wieckse Witte

De Prael Willy

De Prael Andre

De Prael Mary

La Trappe Isid'Or

La Trappe Quadrupel

Ij Paas

Christoffel Nobel

De Molen Donde & Bliksem

De Molen Piek & Ballen

De Mollen Mout & Mocca

De Mollen Bloed, Zweet & Tranen

De Molen Rook & Vuur

Witterkerke Rose

Belgium

St Bernardus Christmas

La Chouffe

Mc Chouffe

Rochefort 10

Achel Trappist Blonde

Achel Trappist Brune

Sloeber

Bellevue Kriek

Westmalle Dubbel

Westmalle Tripel

De Koninck 1833

Rodenbach

Rodenbach Vintage

Rodenbach Grand Cru

De Dolle Oerbier

Duchesse de Bourgogne

Cuvee des Trolls

Kateel Cuvee du Chateau

Poperings Hommelbier

Jupiler

Affligem Tripel

Afflligem Blond

Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van de Keizer Blue

Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van de Keizer Red

Gouden Carolus Easter Ale

Witkap Stimulo

Boon Kriek

Boon Framboise

Leifmans Goudenband

Leifmans Fruitbier

Leifmans Kriek

Brugse Zot Blonde

Martin's Pale Ale

Gordon's Scotch Ale

Belzebuth

Hoegaarden Grand Cru

Orval

Gulden Draak

Duvel

Maredsous Tripel

Judas

Deus

Palm

Bush Amber

Gouden Carolus Classic

Gouden Carolus Tripel

Kwak

Tripel Karmeliet

Germany

Andechs Hell

Andechs Bergbock Hell

Andechs Doppelbock

Andechs Hefe-Weisse

H.Pschorr Animator

Scotland

Fraoch Heather Ale

Heather Ales Midnight Sun

Heather Ales Kelpie Seaweed

Glassware

Duvel Glass

Tripel Karmeliet Glass

Rochefort Glass

La Chouffe Glass

Delirium Tremens Glass

Gulden Draak Glass

Kwak Glass

Westmalle Glass

Oerbier Glass

Leffe Glass

Chimay Glass

Aventinus Glass

De Ranke Glass

Hoegaarden Glass

NEW ARRIVALS MAY 2011

2011-05-18T22:10:00.000-07:00

USA

Ballast Point Black Marlin Porter

Ballast Point Calico Amber Ale

Ballast Point Yellowtail Pale Ale

New Belgium Ranger IPA

New Belgium Fat Tire

New Belgium Mighty Arrow

New Belgium Trippel

Avery IPA Cans

Avery Ellies Brown Cans

Avery White Rascal Cans

Avery Joes American Pilsner Cans

Stone Ruination Pale Ale 355ml

Stone IPA 355ml and 650ml

Stone Pale Ale 355ml and 650ml

Stone Levitation Ale 355ml

Firestone Walker Double Barrel Ale

Firestone Walker Pale 31

Alesmith Anvil

Bear Republic XP

Mad River Steelhead XP

Green Flash Double Stout

Lost Abbey Devotion
Lost Abbey Red Barn Ale

JAPAN

Baird Dark Sky Imperial Stout
Baird Single Take Session Ale
Baird Kurofune Porter
Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA
Baird Rising Sun Pale Ale
Baird Red Rose Amber Ale

AUSTRALIA

* Mystery Swan Valley Sorachi Ace Saison Cleanskin

Grand Ridge Mirboo Midnight Oak Aged Dark Ale

3 Ravens Double Ale Noir

Kooinda Karaka Raspberry Wit

Bridge Road Bling IPA

Bridge Road The Harvest

Bridge Road Robust Porter

Holgate Mount Macedon Ale

Holgate Temptress Chocolate Porter

Holgate ESB

Holgate Hopinator

Cascade First Harvest

NEW ZEALAND

Harringtons Pig & Whistle

Harringtons Rogue Hop

Harringtons Classy Red

Harringtons Big John

Harringtons Strongman

Harringtons East Indies Lager

Harringtons Ngahere Gold

Hawkes Bay Pilsner

Kingston Cider

Kingston Perry

Mikes Organic Lager

Mikes Organic Ale

Mikes Organic Strawberry Blonde

Mikes Organic Imperial IPA

ENGLAND

Meantime IPA

Meantime London Porter

Meantime London Lager

Meantime London Pale Ale

SCOTLAND

Brewdog Punk IPA CANS (new recipe)

Brewdog IPA is Dead

- Single hop Sorachi Ace / Citra / Bramling Cross / Nelson Sauvin IPAs

Brewdog 5AM Saint

Brewdog 77 Lager

Brewdog Trashy Blonde

Brewdog Abstrakt AB:04

Brewdog & New New Zealand Arrivals

2011-02-10T23:07:00.000-08:00

Our suppliers have certainly hit the ground running in 2011 and we are reaping the rewards with literally dozens of incredible new beers hitting the shelves every week. We’ll need more than one newsletter to cover everything, but in short we’ve received:

- Fresh stock of the entire Brewdog range, including extremely limited stock of Abstrakt 3.0 and 4.0
- Fresh stock of some amazing New Zealand beer including Epic, 8 Wired, Croucher, Emersons, Renaissance and Tuatara
- New beers from 8 Wired and Invercargill Brewing Co
- Portamarillo – a collaboration brew between Epic and America’s famous Dogfish Head Brewery
- Three fantastic new beers from New Zealand’s Yeastie Boys (see below for all new NZ and Brewdog beers)
- Lasko Club - a range of new Slovenian beers
- An alcohol free beer from Budvar Budejovicky
- Two brand new beers brewed by Fullers
- And a huge selection of fantastic Australian craft beer including
o Hargreaves Hill Pale Ale
o Hargreaves Hill ESB
o Mountain Goat Rare Breed Double Hightail Ale
o Little Creatures East Kent Goldings Ale Single Batch
o Kooinda Pale Ale
o Grand Ridge Supershine
o Boatrocker Alpha Queen

As well as new arrivals from Southern Tier, Mikkeller and Gwynt y dDraig.

We are also very pleased to announce the arrival of thirteen new beers from Denmark’s Amager Bryghus. It’s very, very exciting to have these fantastic Scandinavian beers on our shelves right next to Nogne O, Norrebro and Mikkeller! This is the first time that these beers have been available in Australia, and unfortunately quantities are very limited. Some lines are bound to sell out soon, so it is definitely a good idea to check out our Amager range online, or stop by the store soon if you don’t want to miss out. More on these next week!

NEW NEW ZEALAND ARRIVALS

Australian and New Zealand Craft Beer is sitting in a very happy place. New Zealand is brewing some of the best beer in the world. The quality and consistency of New Zealand craft beer is incredible, and we are very lucky to have occasional access to breweries such as Invercargill, Epic, 8 Wired, Emersons, Tuatara, Yeastie Boys and Renaissance. This stock is coming over in superb condition and should be enjoyed as fresh as possible (as in now!).

We have just received a small amount from each of the aforementioned breweries, including one or two brand new beers to the IBS. To understand why we’re so excited, check out our list of the best NZ and Australian beers released by ratebeer.com a week ago, then check out our list of new arrivals below: http://www.ratebeer.com/RateBeerBest/table_2011.asp?title=Best+Beers+of+Australia+and+New+Zealand+2011&file=australia_beer_2011.csv

Big congratulations to all the breweries mentioned by ratebeer, in particular 8 Wired who we feel thoroughly deserves every accolade coming their way!

New New Zealand arrivals include:

- 8 Wired HopWired IPA – rated the best Australian / NZ beer by ratebeer 2011, due next week
- 8 Wired ReWired Brown Ale
- 8 Wired Big Smoke Porter
- Emerson’s Pilsner
- Emerson’s IPA
- Emerson’s Bookbinder Bitter
- Emerson’s London Porter
- Epic Pale Ale
- Epic Lager
- Epic Armageddon (ratebeer’s 2nd best Australian / NZ beer 2011)
- Epic Mayhem
- Tuatara APA Limited Edition
- Tuatara Ardennes
- Croucher Pilsner
- Croucher Pale Ale

Not to mention the following brand new NZ beers:

Epic / Dogfish Head Portamarillo
We love collaboration beers! This brew is a combination of all the brewing experience of Epic (NZ) with the might of the US brewing heavyweight Dogfish Head. What they created is fantastic - an Imperial Porter-ish ale fermented with Brazilian Rapadura sugar and a host of unique New Zealand ingredients. New Zealand tamarillos (sweet, fruity tree tomatoes) were smoked over Pohutakawa wood before being added to the boil. The smoked tamarillos lend an ethereal fruity, roasty depth to the one-off beer.

8 Wired Tall Poppy India Red Ale
Like the fantastic 8 Wired Hopwired IPA – which by the way we (like ratebeer) truly believe that everyone should try at least once – Tall Poppy is a heavily hopped US inspired ale. A greater proportion of specialty malts complements the intense, sharp and fruity hoppiness with a complex caramel malt structure. Bold and balanced, this is a stunning beer.

Yeastie Boys Pot Kettle Black
Cascadian Dark Ale (Black IPA) is a relatively recent revelation - a beer hopped like an IPA but brewed with a proportion of dark, roasted malt to give the colour and some of the flavour of a porter. Yeastie Boy’s further twist this emerging style by using even more ‘dark beer’ malts than is usual, giving luscious chocolate and coffee flavours. They also use New Zealand grown hops which add sauvignon blanc fruitiness to the beer. Sounds interesting? It is, and it comes together so well that PKB won champion porter and champion stout at the 2009 BrewNZ awards (the only beer to ever win two trophys), and was awarded the inaugural People’s Choice champion at the NZ Brewer’s Guild “Beervana” festival.

Yeastie Boys PKB Remix 2010
Since winning two trophies in 2009, Yeastie Boys celebrate Pot Kettle Black by ‘remixing and remastering’ a single batch of PKB each year. PKB Remix 2010 is a ‘US Mix’ – a touch stronger than its usual ABV, and brewed with several generous doses of US Cascade hops at the Invercargill Brewery. An intensely floral and hoppy beer, and one to try while you have the chance.

Yeastie Boys His Majesty
Another Yeastie Boys vintage release, this year’s model uses a base of English malt to provide a deep red hue, and rich biscuity base. A hefty combination of UK and US hops gives firm bitterness, and intense flavour to this ‘English Strong Ale’. A wonderful craft beer.

Invercargill Boysenbeery
A kind of hybrid Belgium-style kriek and Belgium wit, but with a NZ twist. A tart and refreshing witbier base is brewed with 15% by volume of boysenberries, lending full flavour and strong colour. It’s all berry upfront, with hints of spice and orange from the Belgian yeast, before a refreshingly tart finish.

BREWDOG

Brewdog certainly has no shortage of attitude. Their extroverted and subversive marketing has raised a few eyebrows over the past few years, as has their groundbreaking and excessive brews. This no holds barred attitude could so easily have been all smoke and mirrors, but there is absolutely no bluffing about anything Brewdog does. Their beers not only match the talk but often even exceed expectations as well. Check out this hilarious video to see what we mean: http://www.brewdog.com/blog-article/341

Brewdog’s latest project is the Abstrakt brand – a series of small batch beers only brewed and released once. Not brewed to any existing beer style, the Abstrakt beers are all boundary pushing and wholly individual brews, coming bottle numbered and known only by their release code. We have just received a limited quantity of Abstrakt 3.0 and 4.0.

Abstrakt 3.0 is a 10.5% ABV Imperial Fruit Beer aged for over 2 years in whisky casks with raspberries and strawberries.

4.0 is a 15% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with generous additions of coffee, cacao, naga chillies (the hottest in the world) and champagne yeast.

That said, it isn’t just extreme beers. Brewdog complement these limited releases with a core range of sessionable yet interesting modern beers. We’ve just received fresh stock of the entire range, which includes:

- 77 Lager (New World Pilsner)
- Trashy Blonde (American Pale Ale)
- Punk IPA (US IPA)
- 5AM Saint (American Amber Ale)
- Hardcore IPA (Imperial IPA)

As well as limited amounts of the seasonal releases:

- Dogma – a strong ale, brewed with guarana, Californian poppy, kola nut and Scottish heather honey

- Paradox Smokehead Imperial Stout – Imperial stout aged in barrels from the Smokehead Distillery, giving a not-so-subtle mix of atlantic smoke, peat and oak adding to the rich, roasted, toffee fullness of the Imperial Stout

More information on all of these beers is up on our website.

2011-01-13T00:18:00.000-08:00

Stacks of fantastic new beer due to arrive in January, including:

Scotland
Brewdog Bashah Reserve Imperial
Brewdog Bashah Reserve Highland
Brewdog Smokehead Paradox
Brewdog Abstrakt AB:03
Brewdog Abstrakt AB:04
Brewdog Dogma
(NB: Brewdog stock very limited)

14 different lines from Denmark's Amager Bryghus including:
Summer Fusion
IPA
Rugporter
3.Akt
Julebryg 2010
Fru Frederiksen
Hr. Frederiksen
Imperial Stout
Hr. Frederiksen Portvinslagret
Galanthus Nivalis
Citra Weiss
Black Nitro
Hr. Frederiksen Vaesel Brunch
Christianshavn Pale Ale

NZ
8 Wired Rewired Brown
8 Wired Tall Poppy American Amber Ale
Epic / Dogfish Head Portamarillo
Emersons Bookbinder Bitter
Croucher Pilsner
Yeastie Boys His Majesty
Yeastie Boys Pot Kettle Black
Yeastie Boys Pot Kettle Black Remix 2010
Invercargill Boysen Beery

Australia
Boatrocker Alpha Queen
Grand Ridge Supershien
Kooinda Pale Ale
Three Troupers Pale Ale
Three Troupers Amber Ale
Hargreaves Hill Pale Ale
Hargreaves Hill ESB
Hargreaves Hill Stout

+ loads more!!

NEW YEAR, NEW BEER

2011-01-13T00:16:00.000-08:00

First of all from everyone at the International Beer Shop, a belated but resounding Happy New Year!!! Thank you for all of your support in 2010, it was another fantastic year for craft beer in Australia with literally hundreds of groundbreaking releases and new arrivals. So cheers to all of our members and our best wishes for 2011.

There has been heaps of new beer arriving over the past two weeks. We’ll focus on the top Aussie craft beer this newsletter, including arrivals from Murrays, Moo Brew, Red Duck and Nail. Check out all the information on the breweries and beers below.

Other top beer/cider which arrived includes:

Gwynt Y Ddraig Orchard Gold Cider
Gwynt Y Ddraig Black Dragon Cider
Gwynt Y Ddraig Vintage 06
(fantastic funky, scrumpy welsh cider)

Rogue Santa’s Private Reserve
Rogue Yellow Snow
Rogue Mogul Madness
Rogue Dead Guy Ale
Rogue Dry Hopped Red
Rogue Brutal IPA
Rogue American Amber Ale
Rogue Juniper Pale Ale

Renaissance Discovery APA
Renaissance Paradox Blonde
Renaissance Perfection Pale Ale

Southern Tier 2XIPA
Southern Tier Creme Brulee
Southern Tier Pale Ale
Southern Tier IPA

Epic Armageddon IPA

Emersons Pilsner
Emersons IPA

Tuatara APA (limited release)

8 Wired Hopwired IPA
8 Wired Big Smoke

Meantime IPA 750ml
St Peters IPA
St Peters Autumn Strong Ale

And plenty more on the way!

SPECIALS

We have some great specials to kick 2011 off with a bang! (Just) out of code stock of two phenomenal summer quenchers, both reduced below cost price:

Weihenstephaner Kristall: $65 / CTN (20 x 500ml bottles)
BB: 22/12/10

Stassen Pear: $12 / 4PK or $60 CTN (24 x 330ml bottles) + a free hat
BB: Dec 10

MURRAY’S

Back in spring our first Murray’s shipment in almost 3 years took only a few short weeks to sell out. Hardly surprising given the outstanding quality and reputation of these ‘ales with attitude’. We’re very pleased to have just received an even bigger shipment of Murray’s entire core range.

Current stock is super fresh and tasting incredible. At the risk of repeating ourselves (the brewery was profiled only a few newsletters back) check out information on all the returning Murray’s beers here: http://www.internationalbeershop.com.au/beer_news.asp?topic_id=&article_id=202

Brand new however is limited stock of the just released Anniversary Ale No.5. December 2010's Anniversary Ale marks the first major change in the base recipe since the inaugural batch.

Brewed in collaboration with original head brewer Graeme Mahy, the AA5 is still a wheat and barleywine at heart and still oak aged. It is darker, with the addition of chocolate malt and roast barley to give the beer a solid bite and even more complex malt character, with flavours of coffee and caramel. The hop profile has also changed significantly with extra additions throughout the brew and a new blend of Green Bullet, Pacifica, Motueka and NZ Cascade used.
The result is a beautiful dark ruby hued beer with aggressive hop aroma and flavour and a more assertive bitterness than previous batches. Classic American oak character comes through in the flavour and aroma further adding to the complexity of the brew.
More than any previous year, this year's batch is designed to age. While it is amazing now, given time the hop aromas and flavours will recede and the malt character will become even rounder and more vinous. Stock is limited.

We also have a few very limited bottles of Murray’s Anniversary Ale No.3, the batch inoculated with wild yeast. These wild ‘bugs’ give tart characteristics and rustic barnyard aromas and flavours. Get in quick if you’d like one of these museum bottles – they will not last long!

MOO BREW

15 minutes north west of Hobart, in the heart of Moorilla Estate you’ll find one of Australia’s most modern and highly regarded craft breweries – Moo Brew. Producing a core range of only 4 beers, Moo Brew has won numerous awards and medals for their brews and John Kelly designed labels. All come highly recommended, particularly when they are this fresh! From Moo Brew we have:

Pale Ale
A modern American style Pale Ale, fusing pungent floral and citrus aromas with a complex malt palette and refreshing late bitterness. Like all good Pale Ales, this perfectly treads the line between complexity and drinkability, and is undoubtedly one of our favourite Aussie brewed Pales.

Hefeweizen
Inspired by the classic Bavarian wheat beers, Moo Brew’s Hefe balances a clean, bready malt character with spicy yeast phenols of banana, clove and vanilla. A wonderful example of one of the world’s classic styles.

Dark Ale
Like the Pale Ale, this is a floral and citrus hop driven ale, however a proportion of dark roasted malt adds caramel and chocolate flavours. The result is a textured and balanced ale, which like the Pale Ale is drinkable yet full of flavour. This style is rapidly gaining popularity in the US where it is known as American Brown Ale.

RED DUCK

Victoria’s fantastic Red Duck Brewery finished 2010 off in style – releasing three seasonal one-off batches within one week! Only 500L of each beer was brewed so stock is limited and won’t last long!

White Garden
The story of two old-world wheat beers. The specialty of Berlin, Berliner Weisse is an artisanal German style, a pale wheat beer soured during fermentation by lactobacillus. Brewed with a hefty dose of unmalted wheat, BW are tart, refreshing and rarely available outside of Northern Germany.

Belgian witbiers are similarly historic and rustic ales. Rather than relying on lactic sourness to balance the soft, bready malt character, traditional Belgian yeast strains give spicy and citrus flavours to the beer.

White Garden is an homage to both classic styles. The beer begins with a classic old-world wit/BW grain bill, but rather than using fermentation and yeast to add flavour, Red Duck adds a hefty dose of Raspberry & Rhubarb jam. The sugars are stripped out during fermentation, resulting in a soft pink ale; cloudy, flavoursome and slightly tart. Very refreshing, and highly recommended for summer.

Burton Strong Bitter
Red Duck’s tribute to the famous English style. The water is first adjusted to match the infamous Burton-on-Trent profile. The hardness of Burton’s water lends a mineral quality to their beers, accentuating the bitterness for which the local beers are so well known.

Although Burton was the birthplace of the IPA, this beer takes inspiration from the original Burton Pale Ales, with relatively low carbonation, and great balance between herbal hops and toasty malts.

Red Admiral
Red Duck’s Christmas offering, a rich festive ale inspired by the traditional Suffolk strong ales. Deep red, with rich malt character evocative of rich plum pudding, a deft hand of Glacier hop is noticeable in the aroma. Glacier is a new American hop, with low co-humulones and alpha acids – which in this case means lots of flavour with relatively low bitterness.

Like many top festive ales, the rich character of Red Admiral will age superbly, as it becomes more vinous and complex.

We also still have a few bottles left of Red Duck Loch Ness – a 6.7% ABV whisky barrel aged scotch ale.

NAIL STOUT

A beer that needs no introduction, we have finally received more stock of the multi-gold medal winning Nail Stout. This rich and luxurious oatmeal stout never lasts long so get in quick to avoid disappointment.

Cheers
The International Beer Shop Team

Beers Due Before Christmas

2010-12-14T01:03:00.000-08:00

Heaps of beer still on the way, including:

Murrays Anniversary Ale #5
Murrays Wild Thing Imperial Stout (last stock in Australia!)
Murrays Icon IPA
Murrays Grand Cru
Murrays Whale Ale
Murrays Nirvana Pale
Murrays Dark Knight
Murrays Punch & Judy
Gwynt Y Ddraig Orchard Gold Cider
Gwynt Y Ddraig Black Dragon Cider
Gwynt Y Ddraig Vintage 06
Meantime IPA 750ml
Renaissance Discovery APA
Renaissance Paradox Blonde
Renaissance Perfection Pale Ale
Southern Tier 2XIPA
Southern Tier Creme Brulee
Southern Tier Gemini
Southern Tier Oak Aged Unearthly
Southern Tier Pale Ale
Southern Tier IPA
Epic Armageddon
Emersons Pilsner
Emersons IPA
Emersons Bookbinder
Tuatara APA
8 Wired Hopwired IPA
8 Wired Big Smoke
8 Wired Rewired Brown Ale
Red Duck Burton Bitter
Red Duck Red Admiral
Red Duck White Garden
St Peters IPA
St Peters Autumn

Many in limited quantities - preordering is advised if you don't want to miss out.

Here's wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy and safe new year!!

Cheers

New Beers!!

2010-11-23T23:53:00.000-08:00

New beers arriving by November 26 (hopefully) include:

Adriaen Broewer Dark Gold
Alba Scot's Pine
Alfa Bock
Alfa Pils
Andechs Bergbock Hell
Andechs Doppelbock
Belle Vue Kriek
Boon Frambois
Boon Gueuze
Boon Gueuze Marriage Parfait
Boon Kriek
Bourgogne Des Flanders
Chimay Glasses
Chouffe Bok
Chouffe Houblon (330ml & 750ml)
Chouffe N'ice Christmas Beer
De Dolle Arabier
De Dolle Dulle Teve
De Molen Engels
De Molen Hemel & Aarde
De Molen Pilz
De Molen Vuur & Vlam
De Ranke Guldenberg (330ml & 750ml)
De Ranke Kriek 750ml
De Ranke XX Bitter (330ml & 750ml)
Delirium Guillotine
Delirium Guillotine Glasses
Delirium Nocturnum
Delirium Noel
Deus
Duchesse De Bourgogne
Ebulum Elderberry
Einbecker Urbock Dunkel
Ename Blonde
Ename Dubbel
Ename Tripel
Gordons Finest Gold
Gordons Scotch Ale
Gouden Carolus Van de Keizer Blue 750ml
Grimbergen Dubbel
Grimbergen Tripel
Grolshc Herfstbock
Grozet Gooseberry
Gulden Draak (330ml & 750ml)
Gulpener Herfstbock
Gulpener Korenwolf
Gulpener Sjoes
Heineken Tarwebok
Hoegaarden Forbidden Fruit
Hoegaarden Grand Cru
Jupiler
Kasteel Dubbel
Kasteel Gift Pack
Kasteel Tripel
Kateel Rouge
Kwak
Kwak Gift Packs
La Chouffe (330ml & 750ml)
La Chouffe 1.5L
Leffe 9
Leffe Blonde (330ml & 750ml)
Leffe Brune
Leffe Glasses
Lindeboom Oud Bruin
Lucifer
Maredsous Blonde
Maredsous Brune
Maredsous Tripel
Mongozo Banana
Mongozo Coconut
Mort Subite Gueuze
Orval Glasses
Peoperings Hommelbier Glasses
Piraat Blonde
Rochefort 10
Rochefort 6
Rochefort 8
Rodenbach
Rodenbach Grand Cru
Rodenbach Vintage
St Louis Kriek
Tripel Karmeliet
Tripel Karmeliet Gift Packs
Tripel Karmeliet Glasses
Val Dieu Grand Cru 750ml
Westmalle Dubbel (330ml & 750ml)
Westmalle Gift Packs
Westmalle Glasses
Westmalle Tripel (330ml & 750ml)
Wieckse Witte
Witkap Dubbel
Witkap Stimulo
Witterkerke Rose

New Beers

2010-11-17T00:47:00.001-08:00

Super busy past two weeks with heaps of brand new beers instore, including:

Brewdog
Brewdog 5AM Saint
Brewdog 77 Lager
Brewdog Punk IPA
Brewdog Trashy Blonde
Brewdog Zeitgeist
Brewdog Chaos Theory
Brewdog / Mikkeller I Hardcore You
Brewdog Abstrakt 2 (18% ABV American Red Ale)

Rogue
Rogue XS IIPA 207ml
Rogue XS McRogue 207ml
Rogue John John Rum Barrel Aged Hazlenut Ale
Rogue Chatoe Creek Cherry Ale
Rogue Brutal IPA
Rogue Shakespeare Stout
Rogue Hazelnut Nectar

Anderson Valley
Anderson Valley High Rollers Wheat
Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout
Anderson Valley Hop Ottin IPA
Anderson Valley Boont Amber
Andeson Valley Imperial IPA

Misc
Shepherd Neame Goldings
Adnams Gunhill
Adnams Spindrift
Adnams Tally Ho
St Bernardus Christmas
Manneken Pilsner
Excalibur
Greene King Strong Suffolk
Belhaven Wee Heavy
Belhaven Scottish Stout
Bootleg Moses ESB (Limited Release)

Denmark
Fano Vestkyst IPA
Norrebro New York Lager
Norrebro Globe Ale
Norrebro Bombay Pale Ale
Norrebro Pacific Summer Ale
Norrebro North Bridge Extreme
Norrebro Little Korkny Ale (2 bottles only)

New Zealand
Croucher Pale Ale
Croucher Pilsner
Emersons Bookbinder Bitter
Emersons Dunkelweisse
Emersons Old 95
Emersons London Porter
Epic Pale Ale
Epic Mayhem
Epic Lager
Tuatara Helles
Tuatara Ardennes
8 Wired Hopwired
8 Wired Rewired
8 Wired Big Smoke
Speights Summit

Clearance Sale II + New Aussie Arrivals

2010-11-04T00:52:00.000-07:00

If you like beer now is a great time to visit the International Beer Shop. Our sale is running strong, and with just over a week left we’ve almost doubled the list of seriously reduced beer. We don’t have nearly enough storage/shelf space for the top new beers which have arrived - nevermind those due to arrive before Christmas! Rather than build another shed we’re reducing stock by having a massive sale until November 14. In addition to the sale stock listed in last weeks newsletter, check out all the new specials below.

We’re clearing room for include a stack of great Aussie craft beer from breweries such as Jamieson, Red Hill, Coldstream, Bridge Roads, Gage Roads, Redoak, 3 Ravens and the recently rebuilt Hargreaves Hill. We’ve also just received a huge shipment of Scottish punk-brews from Brewdog and British stalwarts Adnams. All new arrivals (and some brief summaries) are listed below the sales specials.

Before we get into it, a big thank you to everybody who voted for us in Beer & Brewer Magazine’s ‘Best Beer Venue’ competition - we’ve made the shortlist for WA. Overall winners are announced next week, so we’re crossing our fingers for good news!

NEW SALE SPECIALS

Weihenstephaner Hefe and Kristall – further reduced, now $74.99 / CTN (20)

Feral Hophog - $49.99 / CTN (16) or $14.99 / 4PK

Rebel – Lager, Pilsner and Dark Lager reduced to $2 / 500ml bottle (stock is close to code)

Desperados - $89.99 / CTN (24) or $24.99 / 6PK

Duvel Groen - $4.99 ea

Het Kapittel – Dubbel, Prior or ABT all $4.99 ea. Great Belgian ales usually $8.20 ea!

Christoffel Blonde and Robertus - $5.99 ea / $21.99 4PK. If you haven’t tried these before, check them out online. Fantastic beers, really interesting and unique.

Christoffel Nobel - $6.99 ea / $26.99 4PK (was $11.00 ea / $37.99 4PK). Pioneering Imperial Pilsner, a truly remarkable beer and definite staff favourite.

Slaapmutske Blonde and Bruin - $4.99 ea

And remember that we are offering 10% off any 6 or more mixed beers across the store. Only exception is the already massively reduced sale items. This discount is applied in addition to any members’ discount.

All specials are available instore and online. For web customers, appropriate discounts will be processed at payment.

NEW ARRIVALS

We’ll provide some brief summaries of our new arrivals here, with much more detailed information up on our website www.internationalbeershop.com.au

Australian craft brewing has exploded over the past decade, and is only going from strength to strength. The quality and consistency of our local breweries is something to be very proud of, and very excited about! We’ve just brought a pallet of our favourite Victorian beers across the Nullarbor, the new arrivals include:

Red Hill Weizenbock

Red Hill’s latest seasonal offering is a rich and luxurious Weizenbock, which at 7.9% ABV has amazing complexity and warmth, as well as a surprisingly hoppy finish from the brewery’s home grown hops.

Red Hill Golden Ale

Pale and crisp light bodied ale, fruity with a noble hop aroma and restrained hoppy dryness created by Red Hill’s own Hallertauer & Tettnanger hop flowers.

Red Hill Scotch Ale

It took Red Hill 7 years to perfect the recipe for this burnished copper ale, and the results are stunning. A secret blend of English malts, some roasted to impart flavours of toffee, roasted nuts and caramel, creates a rich, malty, moorish ale, which is perfectly balanced by a deft touch of earthy spiciness, provided by Goldings and Willamette hops.

Jamieson Beast IPA

One of our favourite IPAs - superb balance between chewy and rich fudge-malt characteristics, mouth puckering bitterness andhuge hop aromatics.

Jamieson Raspberry Ale

Jamieson Raspberry Ale has real Raspberries added at the fermenter to give the beer a distinct Raspberry aroma and flavour. Finishes dry and refreshing.

Jamieson Mountain Ale

The Mountain Ale is a modified and improved version of Jamieson’s original Dark Wheat Beer. It has distinct chocolate malt flavour with caramel tones from a distinct grain bill which includes 70% wheat.

Bridge Roads Bling IPA

Bling is a beer with all the bells and whistles. Ruby Red with a strong malt base toped with lashings of hop aromas and bag loads of bitterness.

Bridge Roads Chestnut Pilsner

A unique Australian Pilsner, brewed in Beechworth from Chestnuts grown locally in the Beechworth and Stanley hills. The Chestnut Pilsner also uses Galaxy hops from the Rostrevor Hop Garden in the nearby Ovens Valley. As with any of the worlds best pilsner the most important ingredient is time (lagering), so its a good sign that Chestnut Pils is aged for around 3 months before release.

Bridge Roads B2 Bomber

The Bridge Road crew like to make a statement with their anniversary beers and the 2010 special is no exception. A true melding of styles, the B2 Bomber is a Black Belgian IPA, bringing together darker, roasted malt varieties, a swagful of hops and a Belgian yeast variety in an intriguing mix.

3 Ravens Dark Smoked Beer

3 Ravens Dark is a European smoked dark ale, modelled on an age old Franconian style. Traditional bottle-conditioning naturally carbonates this beer and helps add to its complexity.

3 Ravens 55 American Pale Ale

3 Ravens 55 is an American style Pale Ale, first brewed to celebrate 3 Ravens 5th birthday. Five assertive hops meet a blend of barley, corn, wheat oats and rye. Floral aromatics lead to a structured maltiness and clean finish.

3 Ravens Winter Rye Roggenbier

A one off seasonal release, Roggenbier is a classic German style. Think dunkelweizen, but with malted rye in place of malted wheat. The result is a thick, spicy and fragrant ale.

Coldstream Naked Ale

An English style pale ale, brewed with premium quality English malting barley and the two classic English hops, Fuggles and East Kent Goldings. This traditional ale exhibits a full-bodied maltiness that yields to a gentle bitter finish.

Hargreaves Hill Pale Ale

Destroyed in the Victorian bushfires, Hargreaves Hill rebuilt their brewery from the ground up. This is an English style pale ale, with a toasty biscuit malt character and earthy, spicy hop balance.

Hargreaves Hill Stout

Astout in the “Foreign Extra Stout” style. With a pronounced roast barley character, this dark ale features generous palate weight and considerable length.

Redoak Organic Pale Ale (NSW)

Redoak’s English style Pale Ale is brewed using only certified organic ingredients. A specially chosen strain of London Ale yeast gives a distinctive fruity character with a firm hop bitterness and rich malty flavour.

Redoak Belgian Chocolate Stout (NSW)
Redoak infuse their rich oatmeal stout with Belgian dark chocolate, perfectly balancing the beers coffee and roasted malt flavours with chocolate aromas and flavours.

And from our own backyard, Gage Roads have recently rebranded and released a new and improved IPA - Sleeping Giant IPA - as well as an aromatic and refreshing Pale Ale, Atomic Pale Ale.

From Brewdog we have fresh stock of Riptide Imperial Stout, as well as three new beers – Chaos Theory IPA, Abstrakt 2:0 and a collaboration with Mikkeller - I Hardcore You. More about these next week!

Cheers
The International Beer Shop Team

Clearance Sale

2010-10-27T22:16:00.000-07:00

For the next few weeks well be running a massive Spring Cleaning Clearance Sale. Until 6pm on Sunday November 14th (or until they run out) a great selection of different beers are reduced to clear. This isn’t just an attempt to clear out close to code stock - we have heaps of fresh beer reduced to clear at fantastic prices! Infact it’s fair to say that every beer in the store is on sale, as we’re offering mixed deals across our entire range.

For some added incentive, well be running a free tasting of our two favourite Nogne O beers this Friday - Nogne O #100 and Nogne O Andhrimnier Barley Wine. Nogne O was awarded Champion Exhibitor, and Champion Small Brewer at the 2010 Australian International Beer Awards (the world’s second largest beer competition). We absolutely love these two big, bold, incredibly complex Norwegian gems, and are really excited by the prospect of sharing them with our customers! The tasting will kick off at 4:30pm this Friday and run until around 6pm.

The beers on sale include:

- 10% off any mixed 6+ beers: mix and match any six or more different beers and get 10% off!*
Discount applied in addition to any applicable membership discount!

- Weihenstephaner Hefe or Kristall: $79.99 / Case (20)
Save up to $14 ea

- Weihenstephaner Pilsner 330ml: $64.99 / Case (24)
Less than cost price! (Stock coded 25/11/10)

- Belle Vue Kriek 330ml: $6.20 EA / $29.99 6PK / $99.99 Case (24)
Save $19 / case on the already reduced Members’ Price!

- De Molen Jong & Onbedorven 750ml: $19.99 ea
Were $28.99

- De Molen Op & Top 330ml: $5.00 ea
Belgian style IPA

- Monteiths Range: Entire range reduced to $59.99 Case (24)
Were $66.99

- Monteiths Range: Mix and match any 6 for $16.99
Save $7

- Schnitzer Brau Gluten Free Lager: $4.50 EA / $24.99 6PK / $89.99 CTN (24)
Save $20

- Bush Blonde: $4.99 ea
Was $9.50 (Stock passed BB Date)

- Weltenburger Hefeweizen Dunkel: $5.90 EA / $19.99 4PK / $87 CTN (20)
Was $100 / CTN

- Saison 1900: $4.00 EA / $13.99 4PK / $74.99 CTN (24)
Fully imported from Belgium – great value!

- Floreffe Mix and Match: Any 4 x 330ml Floreffe beers, including Saison 1900 for $18.99

- All Schelde Brouwerij beers (Holland) reduced to $4.99 each – Oesterstout, Kerstbier, Lamme Goedzak, De Zeezupier and Kerstbier.
Were $7.80 - $8.20 ea

- Gage Roads Saison 800ml: $9.99 ea
Were $14.99 ea

- Sol Lager: $39.99 / Case (24)
Mexican lager very similar to Corona

- Lindemans Tea Beer: $3.50 EA / $9.99 4PK / $49.99 CTN
Stock passed BB date

- Sunner BioColonia Organic Kolsch: $4.00 ea / $12.99 4PK / $44.99 CTN (20)
Stock passed BB date, reduced by over 40%!

* 10% off mixed 6 offer doesn’t apply to already reduced stock or mix and match deals, must be at least 4 different beers included in the 6 (eg not a 6PK). Membership discount (if any) will be applied before the additional 10% off.

Hopefully see you all this Friday to share the Nogne O!

Feral, Red Duck, 3 Ravens & Specials

2010-09-16T18:24:00.000-07:00

After last week’s massive haul from our friends at Mikkeller and Nogne 0, a few recent arrivals have proved beyond doubt that Australia’s craft brewers are doing more than just keeping up.

FERAL HOP HOG

Beer lovers across Australia have been on the edge of their seats since the news came in that Perth’s famous Feral Brewing was installing a brand new bottling line. Feral are ramping up production in order to bring more of their offbeat, untamed and always delicious brews to the thirsty mouths of more Australians. And we are happy to announce that the wait is over! The first bottled batch of their multi award winning, ultra hoppy Hop Hog IPA has arrived in plentiful supply and is drinking superbly.

Hop Hog is widely considered one of the best American style IPAs brewed here in Australia, and is a superb example of this popular modern style. Weighing in at 5.8% ABV, and brewed with enough hops to satisfy even the craziest of hopheads, you’ll have to watch out for the wicked drinkability of this one. The crew here at The International Beer Shop - and those customers who raced in here early Tuesday to grab one of the first cases - are pleased to report that the transformation from keg to bottle has treated the beer exceptionally well. Expect full on hop flavours of grapefruit, pine needles and citrus, beautifully balanced by an understated malt character, aggressive bitterness and dry finish. Highly recommended.

RED DUCK LOCH NESS

Rural Victoria’s Red Duck Brewery is fast becoming known for their exceptional quality and well styled brews. Fresh instore is Red Duck’s latest limited release beer - again they have not disappointed. One to savour, Loch Ness is an exceptional whisky barrel aged Scotch Ale. At 6.7% ABV, Loch Ness is full of awesome malt complexities, toasty warming flavours like caramel, dark fruits and a hint of chocolate. This malt balance makes Loch Ness an ideal pairing with dark chocolate or caramel desserts, although it is a top choice just to relax with and contemplate while the nights are still cool.

3 RAVENS RAVENATOR BOCK

While we’re on the topic of limited releases, Melbourne brewing institution 3 Ravens have just sent us a very limited amount of their brand new Ravenator Bock. The latest in an impressive series of limited releases from these guys, the Ravenator lives up to the quality and skill that has earned the brewery such a popular following.

Like the Loch Ness, Ravenator is all about malt – rich, robust malt flavours and complexities which warm and satisfy the drinker. A great Aussie spin on the classic German ‘Bock’ (strong dark lager) style.

MEMBERS’ SPECIALS

Porter 19 and Stier Apfelwine have both hit the specials shelf this week; they’re close to code but are still drinking great. These are both at bargain prices so head on in and pick a few up while the specials are on.

Porter 19 is another rich malty offering, this time coming from the Czech Republic’s Pardubicky Brewery. At 8% ABV, Porter 19 isn’t as cloying or sweet as some other Baltic Porters, and is an excellent beer to sip and enjoy before the weather gets too hot. For a limited time, 500ml bottles are reduced to:

$5.00 ea /// $17.99 4PK /// $79.99 CTN (20)

Certainly not for the faint of heart, Stier Apfelwine is a traditional German ‘apple wine’ – similar to a still dry/vintage cider. Traditionally served with food, Apfelwine is tart, refreshing and full of the interesting ‘barnyard’ characteristics the style is renowned for. Recommended for any fan of lambic beers, we have out of date stock of Stier Apfelwine reduced to less than half price, with 1 Litre bottles sold for:

$5.99 ea /// $9.99 2PK /// $49.99 CTN (12)

Cheers

The International Beer Shop Team

* Note - specials current as of 16/09/10

Dieu du Ciel! and Les Trois Mousquetiares

2010-08-26T18:47:00.000-07:00

DIEU DU CIEL!

Loosely translating to ‘God in Heaven!’, or ‘Oh my God!’, Dieu du Ciel! produce one of the coolest looking (and tasting) beer ranges we have ever seen. Don’t just take our word for it though, ratebeer.com rate Dieu du Ciel! as the world’s 11th best brewpub, and the only non-US brewpub in the top 25.

Bolstering our current range are two brand new Dieu du Ciel! beers (new to Australia at least) – Rigor Mortis a suberb Belgian ABT/Quad and Equinoxe du Printempts – a Strong Scotch Ale brewed only once a year and flavoured with Canadian Maple Syrup. Our range now includes:

Rosée dhibiscus (Pinkish Hibiscus) - Hibiscus flower Wit – 5.9%

A smooth and soft Belgian style witbier, brewed with the addition of fresh Hibiscus flowers. The flowers give aroma, colour and flavour to the beer, and provide a tart, bittersweet finish. (limited stock)

Route des épices (Spice Route) - Peppercorn rye beer - 5%

A rye beer brewed with both black and green peppercorns. Chocolate, caramel, fruit, and spicy malt flavours are contrasted by a modest peppercorn aroma and a pleasant, spicy, tingling peppery finish.

Dernière Volonté (Last Will) - Blond Abbey-style beer - 6.5%

A complex spice and fruit character from a traditional Belgian yeast strain and the fresh aroma and flavour contributed by assertive (kettle and dry) hopping are rounded out by a robust but dry malt backbone.

Corne du Diable (Horn of the Devil) - American India Pale Ale - 6.5%

A red IPA inspired by those brewed on the west coast of North America. Smooth caramel malt flavours support assertive hopping – a sharp bitterness and powerful hop flavour and aroma.

Aphrodisiaque (Aphrodisiac) - Cocoa and vanilla stout - 6.5%

Black ale with aromas and flavours of vanilla, dark chocolate, bourbon and roasted malt. Mildly hoppy, with a touch of bitterness from the cocoa, it is very smooth and highly appreciated as a dessert beer. Brewed with organic fair-trade cocoa and first rate vanilla beans. Rated as the world’s second best stout on ratebeer.com.

Péché Mortel (Mortal Sin) - Imperial coffee stout - 9.5%

An intensely black and dense beer with pronounced roasted flavours. The addition of Fair Trade coffee contributes a powerful coffee taste and bitterness to this bold stout. Rated in the 100th percentile overall on ratebeer.com.

**Brand New**

Equinoxe du Printempts (Spring Equinox) – Strong Scotch Ale with Maple Syrup – 9.5% ABV

The marriage of two great traditions, Scottish strong ale, and Canadian maple syrup. The result is a brooding, complex ale – powerful malt flavours are superbly accented by subtle maple syrup sweetness. Added complexity comes from flavours of tobacco, dried fruits and peppery alcohol. Brewed just once a year, this beer will not last long.

Rigor Mortis ABT - Belgian Quadruple – 10.5% ABV

A strong dark ale inspired by by the famous brews made by Belgian Trappist monks. Incredibly complex, the beer presents intense malty flavours of red fruits, oak, chocolate and caramel, balanced by peppery spice from the Belgian yeast. Dieu du Ciel! give their own spin to the style. Not as dark and sweet as some of its Belgian counterparts, Rigor Mortis is incredibly elegant and remarkably well balanced. Highly recommended.

More information on all of the above beers, as well as pricing, can be found on our web store at www.internationalbeershop.com.au

LES TROIS MOUSQUETAIRES

We just received limited stock from another of Quebec’s fantastic craft breweries, Les Trois Mousquetaires. Founded in 2004, Les Trois Mousquetaires takes inspiration from the best of Germany, giving a slight French/Canadian twist to each beer. There has been a lot of buzz about this brewery for the past few years, we’re really happy to have three of their finest in stock:

Les Trois Mousquetaires Kellerbier

‘Kellerbier’ (which means ‘cellar beer’) is an unfiltered lager, the specialty of Germany’s renowned Franconia region. Les Trois Mousquetaires Kellerbier is a full-flavoured, unfiltered Pilsner, combining rich Canadian barley and herbal and grassy German hops, with added complexity and mouthfeel from the yeast.

Les Trois Mousquetaires Sticke Alt

Rare outside of it’s homeland of Dusseldorf, Germany, Sticke Alt is an Altbier taken to the extreme. Full and malty, Sticke Alt has flavours of dried fruit, molasses and strong herbal bitterness from noble European hops. The hops dry out the sweet malt characters, leading to a dry, lipsmacking finish.

Les Trois Mousquetaires Maibock

A strong lager with a rich and satisfying malt character. Brewed to be enjoyed in spring this is a satisfying take on the classic German style.

All come in 750ml corked bottles. Check out of website for more information.

WELTENBURGER

Last week we received a fresh shipment from Weltenburger Kloster-Brau, the world’s second oldest continually operating brewery (a mere 10 years behind Weihenstephaner!). Weltenburger specialise in the classic German styles – Pilsner, Dunkel and Bock. What they do, they do very, very well. Fresh stock includes:

Weltenburger Kloster Pils – a balanced North German Pilsner, herbaceous and grassy with a firm, refreshing bitterness.

Weltenburger Barock Dunkel – a superb Dunkel (dark lager), this beer is all about rich malt flavours of caramel and baking bread.

Weltenburger Asam Bock – this Doppelbock (strong dark lager) is like the Barock Dunkel with everything turned up to 11. Rich, malty and warming – a definite staff favourite.

And returning for the first time in 5 years is:

Weltenburger Hefeweizen Dunkel

A dark wheat beer balancing fresh malt flavours of caramel and chocolate with the traditional weizen tart finish, and spicy clove/banana yeast character. A great beer for Spring, anyone who doesn’t think they like “dark” beer should try this.

URBOCK

This German inspired Urbock is one of Germany’s best beers, and it’s brewed in Namibia! Brewed just once a year, this 7% ABV dunkler bock has heaps of toast, caramel and roasted nut malt flavours, soft alcohol bite, and a clean, crisp finish. Very impressive indeed.

PORTER 19 SPECIAL

We have a great special on the fantastic Pardubicky Porter 19. This interesting beer is a Czech take on a Baltic Porter. Weighing in at a hefty 8% ABV, this is not dissimilar to a quality German Doppelbock, although the malt character of Porter 19 is slightly more toasty than its German equivalent. Malty, rich and incredibly satisfying, while it lasts we have 500ml bottles of Porter 19 on special for:

$6.50 EA // $21.99 4PK // $92.99 CTN (20)

FATHERS DAY

Sunday 5th of September is Father’s Day. We have some great premade beer packs to choose from (check out: http://www.internationalbeershop.com.au/special_packs.asp), including a brand new Spring Pack. This years pack is an absolute cracker - it contains 12 beers handpicked to suit the weather and food of spring, from light, thirst quenching pilsners, to fragrant, bittersweet fruit beers to rich, malty porters. We can also tailor a selection to each Dad’s own tastes, just send us an email or come down to the store for our advice.

WA STATE AMATEUR BREWERS COMP

Attention homebrewers – entries are open again for one of WA’s most prestigious amateur brewing competitions, the “WA State Amateur Brewers Competition’. Full details are up at: http://wasabc.org/, in short entries must be at a designated drop off point before September 5, before judging takes place on September 11 and 12. There are stacks of prizes to be won, not to mention feedback from some of WA’s best beer judges.

New Beers, Beer News & Sale

2010-08-19T00:35:00.000-07:00

It’s been an exciting few weeks - heaps of new beer has arrived and even more has been ordered. We don’t have nearly enough room to store all of these fantastic new arrivals, and desperately need to clear some space! So we introduce: The International Beer Shop’s Great Spring Cleaning Sale 2010. Check out a some of the sale items below.

The reason why we are having the sale is the great new ranges we have instore, or are expecting instore in the coming months. Brand new for us this week were some absolutely amazing French ciders and calvados from Domaine Dupont, the Czech classic Budvar (Budweiser) Dark, the ever popular Belgian Wit Blanche de Namur in 750ml corked bottles, and White Rabbit’s new beer – a honey spiced White Ale. More details below.

Besides these brand new arrivals, fresh stock of some old favourites returned this week, including:

Brewdog Tactical Nuclear Penguin

Brewdog Sink the Bismarck!

Blanche de Namur

Desperados

Carling Black Label

Tanner’s Jack

Satan Red

Satan Gold

Speights Old Dark

Schlenkerla Weizen

Sunner Kolsch

Weltenburger Barock Dunkel
Weltenburger Hefeweizen Dunkel

Before we get into it, a quick note that Beer & Brewer Magazine are running an Australia wide people’s choice competition to expose Australia’s best beer venues, including pubs, bottlestores and homebrew shops. Check out all the details at www.beerandbrewer.com. We’d love to make the shortlist of top bottlestores - if any of our members would like to vote for us check out: http://www.beerandbrewer.com/index.php?option=com_rsform&formId=4

FLOREFFE

Located in Wallonian Belgium, the Abbey of Floreffe (latin for “flower”) was founded in 1121. A brewery was commissioned within the Abbey in 1250. Brewing continuing unabated until the French Revolution in 1794, when the monks where chased from the Abbey, and the premises put up for sale.

In 1850 Floreffe was preserved, and transformed into a college, but it wasn’t until 1960 that the headmaster resurrected the Floreffe label (in a move to fund the upkeep and maintenance of the buildings and gardens).

Today Floreffe commissions a range of 5 core beers, brewed at the nearby Lefebvre Brewery. Floreffe’s focus is on crafting subtle, enjoyable beers and the entire range is noted throughout Belgium for their quality and consistency. The range includes:

Floreffe Blonde – a light and spritzy Belgian Ale in the vein of Leffe Blonde, with some interesting spicy complexities and a fruity malt balance.

Floreffe Dubbel – a rich and warming Belgian Brune / Abbey Dubbel. Smooth and creamy, with notes of chocolate, dried fruits and anise.

Floreffe Tripel – a subtle and enjoyable interpretation of the iconic Belgian Tripel style.

Floreffe Prima Meilleure – a big, bold Quadrupel/ABT, bursting with flavours of ripe tropical fruits, caramel and anise. A dry, spicy finish provides fantastic balance.

Blanche de Bruxelles Wit – a refreshing, slightly tart Belgian witbier, and great example of the trademark citrus, chamomile and coriander flavours.

Also back in stock after a lengthy absence is Lefebvre’s Saison 1900, a refreshing and light interpretation of the classic Belgian farmhouse style.

DOMAINE DUPONT

We’ve talked at length about the Domaine Dupont Cidery in previous newsletters. Suffice to say, there are not many, if any, cideries anywhere in the world that command the respect and adulation heaped upon Domaine Dupont.

Located in Normandy, France, Dupont produce traditional sparkling ciders and calvados (apple brandy). We are really excited to have just received fresh stock from Dupont, including some brand new ciders and calvados:

Cidre Tripel 2009 – a 10% ABV tripel fermented cider, made primarily from the bittersweet Mettais apple. Pouring like a champagne, expect incredible aromas and flavours of tart apples, chicory and oak. The tart, dry finish makes Cidre Tripel particularly well suited to pairing with food or sharp cheese.

Givre Ice-Cider 2008 – the new vintage of Dupont’s amazing ice-cider. Frozen apples are picked and pressed, resulting in an amazingly concentrated sweet cider, with rich, intense flavours of caramelised apples and candied citrus. Serve as an aperitif, or with dessert or cheese.

Le Pommeau de Normandie – a 17% ABV blend of one-year-old calvados, and mout, apple juice that has fermented to around 1% ABV. After being carefully blended in oak casks, Pommeau is transferred to 4-5 year old 400L oak casks, where it is carefully matured for at least 30 months. Perhaps Dupont’s greatest creation, Pommeau displays amazing complexities of vanilla, crystallised apples, prunes and toasted hazelnuts. Absolutely amazing.

Cherries in Calvados – cherries are handpicked, washed and then bottled with calvados. They mature for 6 months, and can be enjoyed on their own, or as a dessert dressing.

Before we get into our sale items, brief notes on the two other brand new arrivals this week:

White Rabbit White Ale – the follow up to the hugely popular White Rabbit Dark Ale is this “Australian White Ale”. Inspired by the coriander seed, juniper berry and orange zest flavours of quality Belgian witbiers, this Australian twist sees less yeast characteristics, as well as the subtle influence of the local honey with which the beer is conditioned. Very sessionable, but with enough complexity to keep you coming back for more.

Budvar Dark – the Czech favourite is now available in Australia. Anyone who thinks they don’t like dark beer should give this a go, the subtle flavours of baking bread, caramel malts and roasted nuts are universally delicious.

Black & Gold Cornish Orchard Cider – a bittersweet cider from the heart of the English cider stronghold.

SPRING SALE SPECIALS

While stock lasts get:

Weihestephaner Hefe

$69.99 / Case (20) (BB: 20/08/10)

Weihestephaner Tradition

$69.99/ Case (20) (BB: 19/08/10)

Lindemans Tea Lambic Beer

$11.99 / 4PK :: $69 / Case (24) (BB: 29/10/10)

St Benoit Brune

$15.99 / 4PK :: $84.99 / Case (24) (BB: 29/09/10)

Courage Directors

$19.99 / 4PK :: $69.99 / Case (16) + free glass (BB: 15/10/10)

Youngs Double Choc Stout

$76.99 / Case (16) + free glass (BB: 24/11/10)

Schmucker BioPils

$17.99 / 6PK :: $62.99 / Case (24) (BB: 29/09/10)

Sunner Bio-Colonia Kolsch

$15.99 / 4PK :: $59.99 / Case (20) (BB: 07/10)

Saranac Pale Ale

$17.99 / 6PK :: $61.99 / Case (24) (BB: 08/10)

Matilda Bay Big Helga

$15.99 / 6PK :: $59.99 / Case (24) (BB: 06/11/10)

Mash Summer Lager

$11.99 / 6PK :: $39.99 / Case (24) (BB: 09/09/10)

Weihenstephaner World Cup Gift Packs

3 x Weihenstephan Beers + Glass, $14.99 ea

Westmalle Dubbel

$4.99 ea (BB: 05/08/10)

Bush Blonde

$6.49 ea (BB: 06/10/10)

FATHER’S DAY SPECIALS

As well as the Spring Clearance specials listed above, we have a stack of great Father’s Day gifts, including merchandise, glassware, beer!, and pre-made beer packs. Check out the full list of packs at: http://www.internationalbeershop.com.au/special_packs.asp

BALADIN TASTING

This Friday from 4pm we’ll be running a free intstore tasting on two of Italy’s best craft beers – Baladin Super and Baladin Elixir. Both are mysterious and distinctive strong ales, given their own unique twist by mysterious and distinctive head brewer Teo Musso – who plays music to his fermenting wort to inspire the yeast! There are some great specials on the Baladin range for the rest of the month.

BEERTASTERS TASTING

Beertasters still have a few seats left for next Thursday’s beer tasting event, a monthly beer appreciation night held upstairs at Mt Lawley’s The Flying Scotsman. The theme for August is “Changing Seasons” – a small group will be guided through 8 different beers, progressing from lighter spring offerings to full bodied, dark winter treats. Tickets are $30 each, which includes beer and finger foods. To reserve a seat, email Anthony at beertasters@hotmail.com

BRUNSWICK BEER SHOW

Attention homebrewers - entries are now open for the Brunswick Beer Show. Full information is up here. $1.50 / entry, with only one 330ml bottle required. The International Beer Shop is the Perth drop off point, entries and forms are due by 20th October.

That’s it for us this week, congratulations if you made it this far – there’s been a lot to get through.

Cheers

The International Beer Shop Team

Winter Selection

2010-08-06T04:39:00.000-07:00

Picking up where we left off last week, we have just received some fantastic new arrivals - many of which have never been available in Australia before. Particular highlights come from New Zealand's Renaissance Brewing Co, Scotland's Brewdog and the UK's Thatcher's Cidery. We also have great specials on Youngs Double Chocolate Stout and Weihenstephaner Gift Packs - check out all the details below.

And a quick reminder that we are open on Sundays from 12-6pm. Come down for exclusive Sunday specials, beer tastings, or just to have a chat about beer.

NEW ARRIVALS

Renaissance Brewing Company

New Zealand is fast becoming an epicentre for fantastic craft beer, following in the pioneering footsteps of their American craft brewing brethren. It is not just the gastronomic and gourmet culture of New Zealand that has made it particularly well suited to this movement - geographic factors make New Zealand particularly well suited to the fickle art of hop production. Like Northwest America, parts of New Zealand are ideal for producing fragrant and distinctive hop varieties, and have born the aromatic standouts Nelson Sauvin, Riwaka and Motueka hop varieties. New Zealand's hop industry also farms unique adaptions of Cascade, Willamette and Pacific Hallertau (among others), all with strong regional characteristics.

Founded in Marlborough in 2005, Renaissance is born from the goal of leading the renaissance of microbrewing in New Zealand. Every bit a craft brewery, Renaissance has stripped the brewing process back to the very basics - removing modern automation, utilising instead the pre-industrial hand methods of the 18th Century. Producing only a range of ales, Renaissance's mission statement is "intensely rewarding ales for the enlightened palate". In the five years since production commenced, Renaissance have won numerous awards and trophies, a fine reflection on their fine beer. From Renaissance we have:

Discovery American Pale Ale

A classic US style pale ale, and a great showcase of the distinctive New Zealand hop varieties. Akin to a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, this is packed with up-front citrus and grapefruit flavours, and finishes with a drying bitterness/acidity.

Elemental Porter

A misunderstood and under-appreciated style, Porter is an approachable and satisfying dark ale. Lacking the robust burnt-toast bitterness of its bolder counterpart the Stout, Porter is all about subtle rich chocolate and dark fruit flavours, and a soft, lingering finish. This is a complex and highly enjoyable example of a traditional, roasty London porter. Renaissance recommend drinking this beer as an accompaniment to dark chocolate, coffee or berry-based desserts, blue cheese or even barbecued meats.

Craftsman Chocolate Oatmeal Stout

This beer is intended as the 'Big Brother' to the Elemental Porter. It is brewed using the same crystal, brown and black malts, and then enhanced with the use of organic rolled oats, for smoother mouthfeel and richer body. Cocoa nibs are also added to the beer, during the mash, and in the boiling kettle, and again during fermentation. The result is a rich, roasty, flavoursome stout, dominated by luscious earthy chocolate notes. An ideal dessert or winter's night beer..

Stonecutter Scotch Ale

Renaissance's flagship beer is this fine example of Scotch Ale, or Wee Heavy, described by the brewery as the 'red wine' of their range. It is a rich, full bodied ale which incorporates a smorgasbord of malt driven characteristics including caramel, toffee, licorice, chocolate and other roasty flavours. Nine different malts are used to produce this ale, which also displays a soft raisin-like fruitiness, and a scandalous level of drinkability.

Brewdog

We are always excited to receive another shipment from the Scottish iconoclasts of brewing Brewdog, as they continue to innovate and improve with each batch. It would seem that there is no end to their relentless pursuit of perfection and innovation... or is there? Check out Brewdog's latest invention, a 55% ABV monster presented inside taxidermied squirrels, dubbed The End of History: http://www.brewdog.com/blog-article.php?id=341

Hardcore IPA

This is the first time we've had Brewdog's new and improved second batch of Hardcore IPA - the same recipe which took out Gold in the Imperial India Pale Ale category at the 2010 World Beer Cup. The fact that this modified recipe is an improvement on the first batch is certainly saying something - last time round it sold out in less than a week.

According to Brewdog this incredible beer is the most heavily hopped in the UK. It has a whopping 150 International Bittering Units (IBUs), lashings of Centennial, Columbus and Simcoe hops in aroma and flavour, a rich malt profile and 9.2% ABV alcohol. However, like all truly great beers, the hallmark here is balance. Combine all of these extreme flavours and the result is most often an overtly in your face drinking experience, but this is where Hardcore IPA really differs. It is amazing how balanced and drinkable this beer is. Everything is presented in perfect harmony, and together transcends the sum of all parts. Like Brewdog's 5AM Saint, we consider this beer a 'must try' for all beer enthusiasts.

Abstrakt AB:01

Brewdog's new Abstrakt series is underway - limited release, small-batch beers made, like everything Brewdog, to question the conventional wisdom on brewing and push the boundaries of beer. Essentially it will be the new outlet for Brewdog's immense creative energy, with many different experimental/ concept beers in the planning stages. AB:01 is the first beer in the series, a Belgian Quadrupel brewed with a difference. Produced at De Proefbrouwerij in Belgium (a large contract brewery who give us much of Mikkeller's greatest work), this strong dark Belgian ale is fermented with yeast cultured from a bottle of the revered Westvleteren 12˚, and whole vanilla pods. Highly collectable, each batch of Abstrakt is individually numbered and strictly a one off.

Thatchers Ciders

Thatchers have been crafting small batch ciders from their farm in Somerset, England for over a century, using only the best locally grown cider apples, traditional recipes and often oak casks for maturation. We have just received a varied selection of these top ciders, including some single variety showcase ciders. Thatchers have also taken over production of Green Goblin, an oak aged cider previously produced by the eccentric Wychwood Brewery. Our current range of Thatchers ciders includes:

- Green Goblin - a full flavoured, bittersweet blend aged in 100 year old oak vats.

- Katy Cider - a light dry cider, fragrant and softly sparkling. One of Thatchers' single varietal showcase ciders.

- Old Rascal - a medium dry blended cider. Crisp, clean and very balanced.

- Cox's - naturally sweet and juicy, this single varietal cider is produced only with the finest Cox's apples.

- Gold - a smooth, refreshing and fresh tasting cider.

- Pear Cider - a refreshingly light, smooth pear cider. Enjoy it chilled, or over ice.

- Vintage 2009 Cider - we have very limited stock of this medium dry, oak aged cider. Produced with only the best apples of the 2009 crop.

Other new arrivals this week included:

Issaquah Menage a Frog

Brewed at Rogue's Issaquah Brewery in Washington, USA, this Belgian style triple uses only top quality pilsner malt, Belgian candi sugar, saaz hops, water and a specially selected Belgian yeast. The result is a monster of an ale, full of rich complexities, and a spicy, dry finish.

Erdinger Urweisse

Brand new from Germany's Erdinger Brewery is this cloudy wheat beer, brewed to one of the brewery's original recipes from over 120 years ago. Specialty malts and hops are used, as is a different strain of yeast to the house strain. The result is said to be a spicy and full-flavoured hefeweizen. Unfortunately we haven't had a chance to sample one yet, lucky it's almost the weekend!

More information, including prices, should be up on our website in the next few days. Please contact us if you have any questions, or to reserve any stock.

BEER SPECIALS

A reminder that we still have some great sales specials available including:

Weihenstephaner World Cup Gift Packs

The World Cup is over, so take advantage of this great offer on Weihenstephaner's World Cup Gift Packs, containing:

1 x Weihenstephaner Hefe 500ml

1 x Weihenstephaner Kristall 500ml

1 x Weihenstephaner Dunkel 500ml

1 x Weihenstephaner World Cup Glass

For just $14.99.

Youngs Double Chocolate Stout

The first stout to be made with added chocolate, not once but twice! First created in 1997 this is a dark, ruby coloured stout that is almost black from a distance. A distinctive chocolate flavour with a smooth and velvety finish. Pale ale malt, crystal malt, roasted barley, chocolate malt, special blend of sugars, Fuggles and Goldings hops, real dark chocolate and chocolate essence. Melted chocolate bars are added to the boil and the essence is added after filtration. The combination of chocolate and beer is surprisingly easy to drink.

We've put together the perfect winter night, with 500ml bottles of the decadent Youngs Double Chocolate Stout on special for:
- 2 x 500ml bottles: $12.00 + a free Youngs pint glass
- 16 x 500ml bottles: $76.99 + a free Youngs pint glass
(limit of 1 glass / customer)

The Old Brewery - Progressive Dinner

Following the success of their beer and cheese matching night earlier this year, The Old Brewery (located in the old Swan brewery) is running a progressive beer and food matching dinner on Friday August 27. Chef Greg Farnan will match 5 of the brewery's award winning beers with five robust courses. For more information, contact Sage at: functions@theoldbrewery.com.au

2010-07-29T18:55:00.000-07:00

Hitachino Nest and Anderson Valley

Before we jump into the new arrivals this week (of which there are plenty!), a quick note that the IBS is looking for a new employee. Full details are up on seek, in brief we need a beer loving, team oriented and intelligent store assistant to work around 30 hours a week starting late August. Interested parties can email a resume, including a cover letter, to: shop@internationalbeershop.com.au

We have been flat out in the store this week, with stacks of amazing new beers landing almost every day. Particular highlights include the return of the Hitachino Nest range of Japanese craft beer and award winning sake, the latest beers from Rogue, new ranges from San Fransisco’s Anderson Valley Brewing Company and New Zealand’s Renaissance Brewery, and some delicious and innovative beer from Brewdog. We can’t fit them all into this week’s newsletter – in the meantime check out our website, www.internationalbeershop.com.au for more details.

Finally a quick side note, Brewdog’s 41% monster IPA Sink the Bismarck! has arrived, and has already almost sold out. There are only 2 bottles left instore, so act quick if you’re interested in this once in a lifetime brew. Tactical Nuclear Penguin has already sold old, and Abstrakt AB:01, another new arrival from Brewdog, will quickly follow. Get in soon to avoid missing out!

HITACHINO NEST

Regular readers of our newsletter may recall our brewery profile of the Kiuchi Brewery in March, when Hitachino first came to Australia. Founded as a sake brewery in 1823, it wasn’t until 1996 that Kiuchi expanded into beer production and created the Hitachino Nest label.

Kiuchi’s Hitachino Nest beers blend traditional sake brewing practices and techniques with European (predominantly Belgian and English) beer styles, and modern American gusto. This unusual approach results in wholly distinctive and individual beers, full of interesting complexities and unusual flavours.

Both the ales of Hitachino Nest and the sake of Kiuchi are multi-award winning and highly sought after worldwide. The beers come packed in beautifully presented 330ml bottles, characterized by a quirky owl that is said to give a bit of love back to the drinker!

We received our second shipment of Hitachino beers last week, as well as a greatly expanded range of Kiuchi’s award winning sake. Brand new for Western Australia is also Kiuchi’s Plum Wine, and distilled beer/plum hybrid; Umeshu. Our current range includes:

Hitachino Nest Beer

White Ale: Kiuchi’s flagship beer is a Belgian style witbier, brewed with toasted coriander seeds, nutmeg, orange peel and orange juice. A highly refreshing and interesting take on the classic style, the White Ale also comes in ultra-modern, concave 650ml bottles.

Real Ginger Ale: a dose of fresh ginger roots added to the brew kettle creates an intriguing mix of ginger, malt-sweetness , and citrus aromas and flavors. Hoppy dryness is very subdued with ginger sweet and spicey notes dominating to the very finish.

Red Rice Ale: a Belgian style strong ale brewed with Japanese red rice, which has been used for centuries in the production of sake. A smoky, yet floral and delicate fusion of beer and sake.

Japanese Classic Ale: an historical 19th century style English India Pale Ale matured slowly in new cedar casks (typically used in Japanese sake production). The result is an elegant beer full of the flavours and aromas of peppery cedar, pine, citrus and earth.

Espresso Stout: a Russian Imperial Stout infused with roasted coffee beans, resulting in an amazingly complex and rich yet surprisingly smooth beer, with notes of vanilla, cocoa, black current, dark fruit and espresso. A definite staff favourite which is absolutely perfect for the winter months.

Kiuchi Sake / Liqueur

Junmaishu: a clean and balanced sake, brewed to showcase the taste of rice.

Tarusake: a sake matured in cedar barrels to produce subtle aromas and flavours of Akita cedar. This unique sake has some tropical fruit sweetness, initial cracked pepper spiciness, a little bitterness and flavour and creaminess imparted by the wood.

Kurashizuku: an “Usu-Nigori”, or unfiltered sake that still has some natural sediment from sake yeast, rice and koji in the bottle.

Yamahai Genshu: brewed to the ancient “Yamahai Jikomi” method, whereby the sake is fermented slowly and carefully at low temperature. The result is a mellow and complex sake.

Asamurasaki: this distinctive rouge coloured sake is brewed with Japanese red rice, which imparts nutty, slightly smokey flavours to this characterful brew.

Sparkling Plum Wine: made with Japanese plums from Ibaraki, and crafted with century old techniques this is a refreshing, bittersweet plum wine.

Umeshu: distilled Hitachino White Ale is blended with Japanese plums (‘ume fruit’). An amalgamation of beer and fruit wine.

Anderson Valley Brewing Company

We have talked at length about the American craft brewing revolution previously, and could write pages on how important and incredible these burgeoning styles and methods are to the world of beer. Suffice to say that we are very lucky to have these phenomenal beers slowly trickling into Australia. If you have yet to enjoy a US IPA or Imperial Stout, seek one out and try for yourself what many regard as the future of brewing.

Founded in 1987 in Boonville, California Anderson Valley are one of the stalwarts of the American craft scene, gaining recognition and respect for beers such as the luxurious Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout, and the perfectly balanced Hop ‘Ottin IPA.

Everyone should be pleased to learn that half of the company’s electrical needs are provided by their very own solar power. On top of this, Anderson Valley operates its own wastewater treatment plant, and uses spent yeast to grow mushrooms for cattle feed. The brewery has carved its own niche, brewing beers of incredible balance, sophistication and quality. Our current stock includes:

Boont Amber Ale: displays all the trademarks of a great US amber ale – an abundance of fresh, citrus/pine hops perfectly balanced by rich caramel malt flavours. A multiple medal winner that is rich and complex, yet exceptionally drinkable.

Boont ESB: an abundantly hopped new-age English Special Bitter, layers of rich, biscuity malt flavours are balanced by earthy hop aromas, and a surprisingly bitter finish.

Poleeko Gold Pale Ale: a classic US Pale Ale, brewed with more than its fair share of distinctive Pacific Northwest hops. Crisp, clear and decisively drinkable.

Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout: said to be one of the thickest, richest and most complex stouts on the market today, this is a true dessert island beer. An incredibly thick, velvety mouthfeel (not dissimilar to full cream milk) carries immensely satisfying flavours of mocha, roasted malts and a subtle hop finish.

Hop ‘Ottin IPA: drawing its name from Boonville’s incomprehensible local dialect “Boontling” (translating to “hard working hops”) Hop ‘Ottin IPA is an IPA lovers’ IPA – intense hop aromas and flavours, balanced by a subtle malt backbone, and bitter, dry finish. More approachable than some of the overstated, mouth puckering IPAs from the Northwest, this is a true lesson in balance.

Deepender’s Dark Porter: this historical style was dwindling into obscurity in its native England, before being resurrected and reinvigorated by modern US brewers. This full bodied porter has a rich, creamy head, and flavour profile dominated by a rich dark chocolate character, and roasted coffee finish.

Brother David’s Double: a complex, well crafted interpretation of a Belgian dubbel. Rich, spicy and dry – this gives even the best of Belgium a run for its money!

Rogue

Portland’s Rogue Brewery never fails to excite or disappoint. Apart from the return of some old favourites, we have several new beers from Rogue including:

John John Dead Guy: the first of a series of collobaration beers between Rogue Brewmaster John Maier, and Rogue Sprits Master John Couchot, John John Dead Guy is Rogue’s award winning maibock Dead Guy Ale aged in Rogue’s Dead Guy Whisky barrels.

Double Mocha Porter: in the vein of Double Dead Guy Ale, comes this 750ml imperial version of Rogue Mocha Porter. Rich, chocolaty, and decadent.

Finally, the Rogue XS range has been repackaged, and will now be available in modest and responsible 207ml bottles. First to hit our shelves are the rich, dirty street-fighting XS Russian Imperial Stout, and the hoppy, firey XS Imperial Red Ale.

We are also running a Member’s Special on the entire Rogue 650ml range (other than John John Dead Guy) – any 2 x Rogue 650ml beers for $29.99!

Crown Ambassador Reserve

Just in is limited stock of Crown Ambassador 2010 Reserve Lager. The 2010 edition includes a small percentage of last year’s vintage, which saw one year on French Oak. It will be interesting to see how the Australian macro-giant’s premium offering compares to similarly marketed beers from Europe or the USA. This highly collectable beer will not last long.

BEER TASTINGS
A reminder that we are running free beer tastings every Friday afternoon and Sunday for the rest of the year. In the coming weeks we’ll be tasting beer from Primator, Mountain Goat and Kosciuszko, as well as the odd surprise..

Look out for another post in the coming weeks detailing new beer from Rogue, Renaissance and Brewdog, as well as more members’ specials and limited offers.

Brewdog Beers - Just landed!

2010-07-27T02:23:00.000-07:00

Literally not on the shelves 15 minutes ago - a new shipment from Brewdog, including Hardcore IPA (new recipe), Sink the Bismarck!, 5AM Saint and Abstrakt AB:01. Our tasting notes on the new Hardcore IPA:

Aroma - Huge fresh hop aromas - passionfruit, mango and pine with deep earthy notes punching from underneath. Nutty, chocolate fudge malt backbone. Steely, peppery alcohol is there too, but well hidden considering the abv. Very tight and sophisticated, everything is there in perfect harmony, eg nothing overwhelming (or underwhelming) or out of place. Wow.
Flav - Incredibly fresh, zesty US hops upfront, malt strengthens mid-pallet, primarily caramel, peanut brittle and fudge. Subtle alcohol is always there. Bitterness is firm, but not mouth puckering, making the beer surprisingly drinkable and perfectly harmonious.

Thanks Brewdog.

Anderson Valley Brewing Co

2010-07-25T20:19:00.000-07:00

Just instore - brand new stock from USA's amazing Anderson Valley Brewing Co. These beers came with a big reputation, and after working our way through a few in the range (including the limited edition double IPA, and an amazing Oatmeal Stout) we are definitely inclined to agree. Watch out for more information in a newsletter later in this week. The beers:

Poleeko Pale Ale 355ml can
Boont Amber 650ml
Deependers Dark Porter 650ml
Boont ESB 355ml
Hop Ottin' IPA 355ml
Barney Flats Oatmeal STout 650ml
Brother David's Double 650ml
20th Anniversary Imperial IPA (very limited stock)

Also brand new craft beer from NZ's Renaissance Brewing Co, including:

Discovery APA
Elemental Porter
Stonecutter Scotch Ale
Craftsman Choc Oatmeal Stout

Cheers!

Nuclear Penguins, Sale and New Beer!

2010-07-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

ANNOUNCEMENTS

First of all, thank you to everyone who supported us during our Sunday trading trial last month. We are very happy to announce that it was an overwhelming success, which means that we will be open every Sunday from midday - 6pm indefinitely. Cheers.

Our sale is still going strong, although we have seen the last of some of the more popular lines, including Riegeler and Courage Directors. There's still some fantastic bargains to be had, including some fresh additions to the sale - Schmucker, Youngs Bitter and a great deal on the Weihenstephaner World Cup Gift Packs. Check out all the details below.

NEW ARRIVALS

We had some exciting new arrivals this week, some are detailed below and some will be saved until next week's newsletter! As many products are in very limited supply, we ask the online shoppers amongst you to please call through orderson 08 9381 1202, and ask for stock to be put aside. We won't check our email over the weekend, so this will ensure you don't miss out. Also, we haven't had a chance to our website with some of the new products, or updated pricing. Hopefully everything will be up to date by tomorrow night.

Stone & Wood

We were delighted to receive stock of Byron Bay based Stone & Wood Brewery's much anticipated Draught Ale and Stone Beer earlier this week. The effortlessly drinkable and full flavoured 4.4% Draught Ale, is bursting with Galaxy hop aroma and flavour and supported by a lovely biscuity malt character.

We also received very limited quantities of Stone Beer - an historic style of ale, brewed with the addition of red hot rocks to the wort. This once common technique superheats and caramelizes the wort during the boil. Stone & Wood then add these caramel coated rocks to the fermenter as a special treat for the yeast.

Draught Ale is available in 330ml bottles for $4.50 each, $21.95 per 6 pack, or $77 per carton (24).

Stone Beer is available in 500ml bottles for $9.50, $32 per 4 pack, or $85 per carton (12).

Little Creatures Brown Ale

No doubt the hop heads out there will already be savvy to the new Little Creatures Small Batch release - a series of one off limited release beers. Creatures' latest offering is an innovative American / Australian style Brown Ale. An unusual grain bill (including pale ale, Munich, crystal, rye and roast malts) provides biscuit and traditional malt flavours, as well as a unique spiciness and mouthfeel from the rye malt. The beer is said to be a showcase of Australian hops, and certainly does provide plenty of hop aromas and firm bitterness. We are expecting to sell out of our first allocation by the weekend, but should have some more early next week. As with all limited stock, pre-orders are recommended.

Chatoe Rogue Dirtoir Black Lager

Rogue's latest "Chatoe Rogue" estate release is a Schwarzbier brewed using Rogue's own farm-grown hops, and base malt grown on their own micro-barley farm. Jet black in color with a tan head, medium to full bodied, deftly balanced with seamless dark roasted chocolate malt flavors, a smooth bitterness and lingering finish. According to the reliable ratebeer.com, Dirtoir Black Lager is the best Schwarzbier currently produced anywhere in the world.

Also back from Rogue is the Morimoto series Soba Ale and Black Obi Soba Ale.

BrewDog

Tactical Nuclear Penguin

We have just received a few more bottles of Brewdog's 32% ABV Uber-Imperial Stout Tactical Nuclear Penguin. TNP starts off as a respectable 10% ABV Imperial Stout, before spending 8 months in Isle of Arran whisky casks, and a further 8 months in an Islay whisky cask, before being stored at -20C for three weeks. The beer was periodically decanted to remove ice, leaving behind a super concentrated, super complex super-stout of 32% alcohol by volume. Check out a video of the process at: http://www.brewdog.com/blog-article.php?id=214

Our first delivery of TNP sold out entirely on presale, so be quick if you'd like to try this amazing beer. Be warned though, the roughly 2 year process from start to shelf does come at a price - single 330ml bottles of TNP are retailing for $144.99.

Sink the Bismarck!

And if 32% doesn't quite sound like enough, we can confirm that we will soon be getting very limited stock of the world's strongest beer: Brewdog's 41% ABV quadruple IPA - Sink the Bismarck! . Like TNP, Bismarck is fortified by freezing to remove ice, leaving behind a beer with an ABV higher than most whiskys! Sink the Bismarck! is expected instore in around 2 weeks time, if you would like to reserve a bottle please contact us with payment details or stop by the shop to place a $50 deposit. Bismarck! will be $210 a 330ml bottle, although we are offering an early bird special of $200 for all members who secure stock with a deposit.

St Peter's

St Peter's Wheat Beer

St Peter's spring seasonal offering for 2010 is an English style Golden Ale brewed with a high proportion of premium wheat malt and balanced by Challenger and Goldings hops. This unique hybrid of German wheat, Belgian yeast and English hops has created a clean and refreshing ale best drunk at its freshest - ie right now!

Nail Brewing

Limited Edition NS1032 Celebration Nail Stout 750ml Bottles

We have very limited numbers of Nail Brewing's collector's edition 750ml Nail Stout. These bottles come from batch NS1032, which won a Gold Medal winner, and award for Best Packaged Stout at the 2010 Perth Royal Beer Show. Batch NS1032 also won a silver medal at England's International Beer Challenge 2010. If you have the self control, we recommend cellaring this amazing WA beer for a year.

SPIRITS

Limeburners M23

We have very limited stock of Great Southern Distilling Company's newest release - Barrel M23. This 61% ABV barrel strength single malt whisky is made in Albany from local barley, matured in an American oak Brandy cask before being finished in small bourbon casks.

For those interested in quality Sake and Plum Wine, we have just received 7 of Japan's best from the Kiuchi Brewery - more info soon..

*** SALE ***

Schmucher Bio Pils

Although we've sold out of Riegeler, we just received stock of an unfiltered, organic German Pilsner from the same brewery (Fursteberg). A very refreshing beer, but with some added complexity and smooth mouthfeel from the presence of live yeast in the bottle. Our stock has a BB date of 29/9/10, and is heavily reduced at:

$3.50 (330ml), $17.99 (6 pack) or $62.99 (carton 24).

Weihenstephaner World Cup Gift Packs

The World Cup may be over, but there is still reason to celebrate with the last remaining stock of Weihenstephaner's World Cup Gift Packs, a limited edition pack containing:

1 x Weihenstephaner Hefe 500ml

1 x Weihenstephaner Dunkel 500ml

1 x Weihenstephaner Kristall 500ml

1 x Weihenstephaner Limited Edition World Cup Glass

All for just: $14.99 each

Crest Super Lager

Save 20%+ on this Super Strong English lager, with blue 500ml cans priced at:

$5.80 each / $19.99 4PK / $108 Case (24)

BACK INSTORE

We received a few favourite beers back instore this week. More info on each beer, including prices is up on our website by Saturday. The new arrivals include:

Sierra Nevada

Limited stocks of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Porter.

Tusker

This favourite Kenyan Lager is available in 500ml bottles.

Innis & Gunn

We have just received fresh stock of Innis & Gunn Triple Matured - a limited edition whisky barrel aged Scottish ale.

Efes Pils

Turkish Pilsner

Hitachino

More info next week.

TASTINGS

We've lined up tastings every Friday and Sunday for the next few months, so if you're instore on either day just ask us for your free samples.

Cheers
The International Beer Shop Team

2010-07-07T00:48:00.000-07:00

New Arrivals (07/07/10)

- Chatoe Rogue Dirtoir Dark Lager
- Rogue Morimoto Black Obi Soba Ale
- Rogue Morimoto Soba Ale
- Flying Dog Canis Major Gift Packs - Just $27.99 ea
- Flying Dog Kerberos Triple 207ml - Just $3.99 ea / $12.99 4PK
- Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter 207ml - Just $5.99 ea / $19.99 4PK
- Flying Dog Double Dog IPA 207ml - Just $5.99 ea / $19.99 4PK
- Flying Dog Horn Dog Barley Wine 207ml - Just $5.99 ea / $19.99 4PK
- St Peter's Spring Seasonal (Wheat Beer)

Check out www.internationalbeershop.com.au for more info!

New Beers!

2010-06-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

There is absolutely no shortage of exciting, fresh and delicious new beer here at the International Beer Shop. Last week we received a massive new shipment from Europe, including many beers which have never been on Australian shores before. We also received a top selection of fresh Australian craft beers – most of which were bottled only one week ago, and heaps of interesting glassware.

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

Clearance specials as of 27/6/10

2010-06-26T03:50:00.000-07:00

A selection of great deals on now at the International Beer Shop. While stocks last!

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)

Huge new shipment!

2010-06-25T23:40:00.000-07:00

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 20^th 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