Great beers

Summer has arrived in a rush...32 degrees in Sydney today...so naturally a cold beer hits the spot, and becomes the topic of discussion around many backyard barbies. Gone are the days when you simply choose XXXX (if you're a Queenslander), or Tooheys (if you're in NSW) or VB or Carlton Draught (if you're unfortunate enough to come from Victoria).

In recent years I've switched from Hahn Ale to Carlton Cold to Pure Blonde and now enjoying dark ales and stouts more often.

I've been over to Germany a few times to attend the world's largest graphic arts expo DRUPA in Dusseldorf, and really enjoyed their "alt" beers over there...sitting in a beer garden on the banks of the Rhine in the Dusseldorf region on a summers day is magic!

Used to visit a little micro-brewery in the Alt Town there quite often "The Fuschen" for huge serves of roast pork knuckles, cabbage, potatoes and many beers...found their URL...still going strong & I highly recommend.

A couple of very good beers I've enjoyed recently:

Hunter Bock brewed by Keith at the Hunter Beer Company just outside Cessnock...also makes a fantastic Chocolate Porter and an Oyster Stout...premium priced but premium enjoyment.

Mudgee Porter brewed by the Mudgee Brewing Co...smooth and mellow.

Pepperberry Winter Ale brewed by Chuck Hahn at James Squire (very good, different website, well worth a visit)...a limited release beer with caramel, chocolate sweetness courtesy of the Australian pepperberry.

All excellent beers. Very tough research work this...but I will grin and bear it, and continue on trying to find the perfect ale!

PS: GO BRONCOS tonight! Knockout final against the Melbourne Storm. Good luck lads!

Where there's wine...there's Hope!

I was fortunate to be invited up to do a long lunch in the Hunter last Sunday, to welcome in Spring, by the good folks at Hope Estate in their Great Cask Hall.

I first came across Hope Estate at the Good Food & Wine Show at Darling Harbour earlier this year, where the lovely Kerriann persuaded me to join their wine club.

Anyway, a fantastic afternoon featuring a 4 course plus luncheon catered by Chez Pok, a vertical tasting of their Virgin Hills "THE RED" from 1997 to 2003, samples of their 2008 Margaret River Ripper Shiraz & Hunter Chardonnay vintages straight from the oak barrels, great company from folks all around the Central Coast, Newcastle & Sydney regions, and a cosy night afterwards at Pokolbin Village Resort right across the road.

Hosts Michael and Karen Hope are producing magnificent wines....none more so in my humble opinion than their Margaret River "The Ripper" Shiraz and "The Cracker" Cabernet Merlots.

These wines travel across the Nullabor in tankers at around 6 degrees for 4 days till they arrive in the Hunter for filtering and processing, and I think its that extra contact time that gives them unbelievable character..especially tasting them straight from the barrel...absolutely alive and full of sugars.

Hope Estate are also putting the finishing touches on their new 19,000 capacity amphitheatre, and their new restaurant and new balconies overlooking their magnificent front lawns...stand by for some more great international concerts and events in the Hunter.

Thank you Michael & Karen for being absolutely perfect hosts for a very enthusiastic and friendly crowd of Hope devotees!

Cheers!