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!

The amazing weber bbq's

Spring is suddenly upon us here in Sydney, and a bloke's fantasies turn quickly to...BBQ's!

I've noticed quite a bit of chat in online forums about BBQ's and Weber BBQ's in particular in the last few days...seems there are in fact some adventurous and very tasteful ladies out there who actually love their webers too!

Thought I would post these pics...top pic is my favourite vegie "Hangi" on the weber...all marinated in olive oil, Chermoula or similar middle eastern spices, fresh garlic and Harrissa...piled up and slow roasted on the weber with some hickory or other wood providing the smokey flavours. Just load it up, put on the lid and wait till everything chars and caramelises up to perfection!

Next pics are from the Mudgee Picnic in the Park last weekend. "Webers on Wheels" is an awesome rig available for hire for functions and do's of all kinds.

Based in Mudgee but will deliver to your door, for you or your team of caterers to produce the ultimate F&B experience for your guests, anywhere at all.

We do garden weddings from time to time in our 3.5 acres of landscaped gardens at our Tamworth property, and I'm thinking this little beast could appeal to some out there looking for the ultimate garden wedding. I'm sure there are many other applications too...would do a pretty good sausage sizzle! Check out "The Cauldron" with its big wok ring...this is huge (cannibals take note)...hotter than Lang Park at State of Origin time.

Contact Kerry Wright on 02 63732161 or 0433686250 to hire this magnificent rig at very reasonable rates. "Never fear, Webers are here!".

More Mudgee F & B

Home again after an extraordinary weekend in Mudgee. Really enjoyed the hospitality of all Mudgee folks, as well their excellent wines and produce. I have to say that this town really understands what good food and wine are all about...they've got great restaurants and cafes, cool cocktail bars and wine bars, ripper pubs and bistros, top shopping, gourmet deli's, and all surrounded by vineyards, cellar doors, and producers and growers of wonderful products. No wonder everything tastes so fresh and alive there.

Top gong at the festival presentation dinner went to Peterson's 2007 Semillon, the champion wine of show. A white getting up in Mudgee!

Best Shiraz went to Findley Estate 2007 Scaramouche Reserve Shiraz (a beauty). Best Cabernet Sauvignon Rosby 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (congratulations Gerald). Best Red Frog Rock 2006 Petit Verdot.

Also very much enjoyed the wines and hopitality of Farmers Daughter wines (the perfect merlot to go with the lamb cutlets at the Red Heifer Bistro at the Lawson Pub on Saturday night Carol!), Moothi Estate with their Moothi Mud & Moothi Rocks superb brands (that's Sue in the photos above with their classic T shirt), McAlistair wines, di Lusso Estate with their classic Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese (must get to their Cucina di Lusso in Glebe & revisit that Pinot Grigio ASAP!), Clearview Estate, Burrundulla Estate (great pacific oyster platters and mezze platters on weekends there), Pieter Van Gent and Robert Harris wines.

The Picnic in the Park on Saturday under glorious blue skies even saw the reds getting a dunk in the ice bucket to keep their cool...a great day out and congratulations to all the organisers...even the local retailers got into the spirit of things with art & wine displays in their windows.

Managed to find a room at very late notice at the Soldiers Motel next door the RSL...very clean & comfortable thank you Greg & Julie. Very impressed too with the Cobb & Co Court Boutique Hotel and it's all-in-one reception / cafe / grill / wine bar / foyer...very casual and very Mudgee style...also great coffee and great service.

Thanks Mudgee folks for a top weekend!

Mudgee Wine Festival

The Mudgee Wine Festival is in full swing this coming weekend. They've got lots of great events happening all over the district, from Sunset tastings @ Moothi Estate to goat racing at Di Lusso Estate. There's a Wine Show public tasting, Live bands, gourmet meals, bush poets, tasting platters, "Lunch with the Farmer & his daughters" at Farmers daughter wines, community markets, etc going on all weekend.
I hope to make it up there and sample their wares for a bit...should be excellent. Will report back on the happenings next week. The full program of events is available here - http://www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au/j/index.php