Drink it all in
PASSIONATE AUSSIE BREWERS RELISH THE CHANCE TO EDUCATE BEER LOVERS
Next time you sit down thinking about how much you’re loving the tasty, frosty beer in your hand, be aware that you probably love it only half as much as the people who made it.
But the good news is that those master brewers really want to tell you about it, and there’s nothing better than going direct to the source to get the good word on the sauce.
Now that Covid restrictions have eased around the country, it’s the perfect time to visit your local craft brewery. Not only can beer enthusiasts support local businesses, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to expand their craft beer knowledge and possibly even try a few new creations that aren’t available anywhere else.
Conor Marshall from Colonial Brewing Co, which began in the Margaret River in 2004 and expanded to Port Melbourne in 2016, says sa s part t of f the th company’s ’ mission i i has been to educate drinkers on all that craft beer has to offer and foster the increasingly savvy market.
“It’s shifted from just drinking what your dad drank and just cracking into the Carlton Draught, towards styles that are a bit more experimental,” he says. “And part of that is learning more about it. Beer drinkers are becoming so discerning and we want to feed that appetite for beer knowledge.”
Like many craft breweries around the country, Colonial has an entertainment space where punters can grab a meal, listen to some tunes and take advantage of the expert knowledge on offer from the brewers and bar staff. Some breweries also offer tours and guided tastings for those who really want to see how the magic happens.
Marshall says the friendly faces behind the Colonial bar work together with the brewers to make sure they are well qualified to make recommendations and give honest opinions, and says that drinkers keen to learn more about what they are drinking and the possibilities on offer can also benefit from the expertise of their local craft breweries.
“You get to go up to the bar and say ‘I have no idea what I want to order’, and rather than someone saying ‘well, we have this pale ale’, it’s ‘Our pale ale uses hops from both hemispheres, it’s cleverly crafted to be sessionable, crisp, refreshing, enjoyable in the sun’ and you know it’s an honest recommendation from someone who really believes in the beer and the brand and providing a good experience.”
In addition to their core range and seasonal offerings, some brewers will also have limited-edition beers only available from their premises – like Colonial’s Tap Room Projects – which change regularly and can explore more experimental styles and flavours for the real enthusiasts.
“It allows not only creative freedom and trials of new exciting styles, but it also means that you have something that is constantly changing every time you come into the brewery,” Marshall says.