Doctor's Orders Brewing

I've just finished a story on Doctor's Orders Brewing which will get published on Brew News in the next few days. I'm really excited to publish it and have people read it.

I think the coolest thing about people like the Doc is that his success isn't a whiz bang overnight type of thing. He's been working at it for years and in the process he has given so much to craft beer, so freely. He started Ale Stars, he was one of the first members of Aussie Home Brewer.

It so important that craft beer isn't a fly by night category trend. It's a life long love affair with beer and Darren really illustrates that well. I'll link to the article as soon as it's up.

Vic on the Park & The Projects, Beer & Cider Festival

Small is the new big, or something along these lines. That's what the people are saying. The back of the previously shabby Vic on the Park is a fairly small space and not very inspiring for the likes of a beer festival. So it's a surprised and a joy to see the area nicely filled with a beer sipping community on a fine sunny Saturday in March.

The car park/basketball court translated nicely into this micro festival, with about 7 tents lining the back wall and the beer garden providing the shade.
Each of the brewers (see below) brought around two beers (in some cases a beer and a cider), with the exception of 4 Pines who brought all of their beers and Mountain Goat who snuck in a few seasonal beers to keep the regulars happy.

There wasn't much new or exclusive on offer, but I don't think it was a negative. While bigger beer festivals tend to get a lot of press, little events like this are what make the beer community grow. Of the 300 plus people who were at the event, only a few were familiar faces. The rest were locals who, maybe for the first time, were getting into and having a conversation about craft beer.

Beer highlights for me was the very crisp and roasty Pinchgut BLK PLZ, a beer that nicely handles the trend of making black versions of traditional beer styles. It retained the dryness and crisp smack of the pilsner while just letting on a nice little coffe aftertaste.
Other Beer highlight would be the Mountain Goat Rare Breed Before The Dawn Black IPA, another blackened up style, this time the IPA was a bit more powerful than the pilsner. Floral, citrus aroma, IPA body but then a big hit of roasted malts that combine with the hops gave a dark berry finish.

Hopefully the Vic and The Projects continue to do more events like this, but maybe, with a little less cider. For photos of the event try The Vic & The Projects facebook pages.

Result

So, after the last post, the results are in.

We will be getting Little Creatures Bright Ale and 4 Pines Kolsch for the next few months, and then swapping up real soon.

Keep comments rolling in if you have suggestions and ask your friends too. I think it's a really interesting discussion point. I might even do a poll at a later date.

What's the best craft beer for easy drinking in Australia?