'shtraya Day

Freshwater Beach - Australia Day

What's more Australian than a BBQ in a mate's backyard by a swimming pool, walking barefoot to the beach with a beer, with the Triple J's Hottest 100 playing over the stereo and the 'wun dayah' (one day cricket match) on the tv on Australia Day?.... hmmmm... maybe actually beating the Poms in the match. That's about all I can come up with.

Although, there seems to be a new force that's quickly becoming part of Australia Day festivities... The Hottest 100 Craft Beers. 6 times more voters than 2 years ago, 500 different beers voted for, it seems Australian craft beer is going strong.

With a few of the top 10 in my esky today and a few others I would've liked to have been in the esky, I only wish that some of the beers in the top 100 had ranked higher *cough*numberthirtyeightandnumberfortytwoforexample*cough* and others off the list all together. But being the people's choice, at least it's good to see the thirsty public is now thinking about what they drink with their taste buds.

How was it in Whistler, Pinky?

Whistler BC - Australia Day - by Mike Taylor

Well, considering that at least half of the transient population in Whistler must hail from Australia, it was pretty impressive! We were also listening to Triple J's Hottest 100, but the pubs and bars were flooded with VB (specially imported for the occasion in fact), so I ended up sticking with local Whistler brew.

What I would have given for a Little Creatures pale ale instead of a Victoria Bitter! However, as one of Whistler's biggest cultural events, it was great to see not only Aussie pride but all of the fundraising efforts for the flood relief in Queensland. And of course, it was even nicer to see everyone on the mountain wearing as little clothing as possible.

Let's try that again

Brew: Think this one will be any better?

Pinky: We can only hope.

B: Well it can't get any worse.

P: I think for the benefit of any individuals who have the misfortune to stumble across this blog, we should establish a couple of critical points; namely, that you're Australian and that You Love Beer.

B: Correct.


P: And that I'm Canadian and I Too Love Beer.


B: It sure looks like it.

P: That's a standard pint in Canada by the way, of a spicy golden Hefewiezen.

B: So, there's going to be a bunch of this...

Three Sheets Pale Ale - Lord Nelson Brewery - Sydney

P: And a whole lot less awkward banter?

B: We can only hope.

P: Okay, how about this for an opening topic: Granville Island Brewery was acquired last October by Creemore Springs Brewery, a craft brewery out in Eastern Canada. Which is perceived as slightly disappointing by 'some' because it's now a subsidiary of Molson and Molson Canadian beer is equivalent to your Australian Fosters lager, a.k.a. it's terrible.

B: Gross. Please never use the word 'your' in front 'Fosters' again. It implies that I have some level of attachment to that beer vile fluid.

P: I know. Well I don't think it will affect the GI beer line-up in the big picture. However, with a visit to the brewery on Granville Island imminent, I'm going to need to borrow your kilt.

B: The pink one? No way, it's my favorite.

P: Preferably not that one. But they've just released the first Scottish ale I'll ever try in Canada, aptly named Scottish Ale. This is should be good with layers of big malted and roasted barley. I've heard especially nice things about trying this ale with really dark chocolate, so that's one way I might spend a rainy Vancouver afternoon.

B: Well I'll throw on my kilt and join you. Oh wait, no I won't, because I live in Australia.

*31.01.11 Drunk Afterthought (Pinky): I was finally able to try the Granville Island Scottish Ale in Vancouver at the tasting room on Granville Island and wow it was fantastic. The Scottish Ale was an explosion of subtle flavours; rich, malty, full bodied and deliciously smooth. It is on par for me with one of my other favorite beers, the Granville Island Winter Ale, a smooth darker beer with vanilla afternotes thanks to hints of added white chocolate. I sorely regret that it is a seasonal and won't be around much longer!

Our first post

Pinky: Hey!

Brew: Hey.

P: What's new?

B: Not much.

P: Well this is awkward.

B: It should be, it's our first post.

P: It must be even worse to be reading this.

B: What did you expect, I'm sober.

P: We'll work on it.