It's All About the Beer, Buddy

Hello there again everyone, and thanks for coming back!

As I said yesterday, I would be interviewing some more people, as well as people locally here in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England. Locals I'll do tomorrow, as I have a few chomping at the bit to be interviewed!

Well first up today, is Gemma Latham. Another fellow West Australian. She's a lovely lady and loves a good ol' banter. She recently returned from a trip to Cambodia,

GEMMA LATHAM

"So Gem, favourite beer and why?" Now Gem usually has a think about things, but this was quite a fast answer -

"VB... Gets you drunk quickly..."

VB stand for Victoria Bitter. An Australian beer by the local Carlton and United Breweries. They also make a great draught, called Carlton Draught, which is very popular in W.A. (Western Australia!) But I've got to say, that a VB after work, there's just something to it. It quenches the thirst like only some beers can, and it's relatively cheap.

https://www.victoriabitter.com.au/agegate?destination=

I do really like finding out what a person's fave is and why. It's like a personality meter almost. Sometimes you are surprised by their choice, sometimes you're not. It's all part of drinking beer. 

Next on the roster... Hmmm... Who should it be..?

I know... Let's go to California, and talk to a couple of mates...

Firstly, I'd like to introduce you to a very good bloke. I traveled around Ireland with him a few months back. Ladies and gentlemen, direct from Monterey - Marcos Vidal! I gotta say, it feels like a real regal name!

MARCOS VIDAL

I got him on Messenger last night...

"What's up Warren! My favorite beer now it's local beer called 805 because I try to support local businesses and also because this beer has very good taste and flavors"

Marcos was nice enough to send me what the packaging of the beer looked like too!

It was good to talk to Marcos. He's a top bloke and a great travel buddy.

http://www.805beer.com/

Now, also in California state, is another mate that I've met on my travels. I met Robert in Germany when I was in Berlin recently, and we went out one night and got severely plastered. He goes to Southern California University (I think!) and he likes his mystery, so he's asked me to not show you who he is! Such a lad! Ladies and gents... Robert 

ROBERT!

*insert photo here*

I also caught up with Robert on Messenger last night. I'm sure that if Marcos, Rob and I went out, we'd be drinking A LOT of beers.

"Rob... what's your favourite beer and why?"

"Tough one. I don't know if I can single one out!" But after a bit of a think Rob replied with

"I love Hoegaarden because it's smooth and clean, but I also love the hoppiness of Sierra Nevada. It's an IPA (Indian Pale Ale) we got in the States..." Now we also have this in W.A. and I'm pretty sure that we have it in other parts of the world. I have had both of these beers. And I personally prefer the Sierra Nevada. It does have a wonderful hoppiness.

http://www.sierranevada.com/beer/year-round/pale-ale

Cheers to both our Californian natives!

Hmmm... who to ask next???

AH! OF COURSE!

I have to ask one of my closest friends in the world!

Renee is from Cairns, in Queensland, Australia, but at the moment, she lives in Queenstown, New Zealand with her partner Brian! 

RENEE ALICE BROOKER

Ok... let's see if she's up... and she was!

"Hey hun! How are you? I hope you are well. Hey just wondering. I'm doing a blog about beer. I was wondering what you're favourite on is and why? :D"

Renee answered: "Hey hun, I am really good! Hope you're well and enjoying your new job? I love a good IPA Indian Pale Ale big hops and full flavour. There are so many small craft breweries here in NZ, my boss from the bottle shop works with one called Maverick..."

http://www.mavericksbeer.com/

Now Renee has been in the hospitality industry for almost 10 years, and she knows a fair few things about drinking, dining and beer. There have been many a night we've sat up and chewed the fat with a brewski or 5! So she was nice enough to send some ads for beers they have in New Zealand for the blog:

As you can see there are quite a few... the double page spread shows quite a few craft beers that are brewed in NZ 

EPIC is a beer I've had before in Australia, Black I.P.A is something that I would LOVE to try, and the others, too. I do like the advertising some beers have. They are truly brilliant! So a big thank you to my gorgeous friend Renee.

Next! Let's see... Who else can we ask..?
I know - another mate I met in Dublin (yes - go to Dublin - you will meet mates you will have for the rest of your life!)
My friend Chris is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the United States. I know he'll be on now, he just finished work. This man has one of the BEST beards that I have seen on a man (or a woman) anywhere - it's regal. And he's a huge bloke. Let's see... Ladies and gentlemen - Chris Billick!

CHRIS BILLICK

Wow, it's green for St. Pat's day!

"Hey buddy!"
"Yoooo" now Chris is a lot like me - we answer in sounds a lot!
"What's your favourite beer and why?"
"Uhmm right now my favorite is called Riverwest Stein"
"How are you goin'?" I asked
"Doin well just got done with class for the day. Lakefront Brewery right here in Milwaukee about a half mile from my house"Riverwest Stein SOUNDS like a cracking beer! It's and Amber Beer. Now I just want one!

http://www.lakefrontbrewery.com/beer/year-round/riverwest-stein

Well thanks mate! You just made me want one of these!

Ok, let's go across the world to South Africa, and I'll ask my good mate Paolo. Yes, another one of my new mates that I met on my travels in Ireland. It looks like Paolo will be joining me here in the next few months, and then we're probably going to go to Melbourne. He's another good bloke, so let's ask him. Ladies and gents... Paolo Panicco

PAOLO PANICCO

"So buddy... what's the go?"

"My favorite beer, hmm commercial : Windhoek Lager from Namibian Breweries, if it is Craft it's my local brewery Stone Circle Brewery here in Cape Town CBD. They have an Amber Weis Beer that's like bananas and mangoes. It's medium body and a sneaky 8% that creeps up, smacks you... If it's American, it's a beer called a Li'l Something. If it's stout it's that Brewers Project Guinness Stout from the West Indies"

http://windhoekbeer.com/our-range/windhoek-lager/

http://capebrewing.co.za/our-beers/

https://lagunitas.com/beers/little-sumpin-sumpin

https://www.guinness.com/en-gb/our-craft/the-brewers-project/

Another one of my friends that knows a lot about the things he likes. I met Paolo in Ireland, and we went with Brandon Beck, Jarod Dawson and Johnny Walker to St. James' Gate, to see how Guinness was made. Up at the top, we got our complimentary Guinness, but Paolo, being a smart bloke, went down one level, and go the International Extra Stout Guinness that was 8%, and the flavour... It was truly amazing! Now if you like Guinness, you've got to know that the Guinness that you have anywhere else in the world is nothing compared to the Guinness actually IN Ireland. Now, keep in mind that comparison, because that is the difference between Guinness and the International Extra Stout Guinness that we had there. It was spicy, and thick and has become one of my favourite beers, ever!

And for our seventh and final interviewee for the blog today... Hmmm, let's see who can I ask...

It's Peru!

Ladies and gentlemen, a friend that I met during my travels (and not in DUBLIN lol) in Barcelona - Ray Vega Ramon!

RAY VEGA RAMON

"Ray - how are you?"

"Fine Warren - and you?"

"Not bad. Friday night. Thinking about going out. Hey, can I ask you a couple of questions?"

"Yeah sure"

"What's your favourite beer and why?"

"Uuuuuuuf but you ask for the beer that I know or beer in Europe..."

"Yeah - either. Doesn't matter where..."

"Well I like Pilsen Callao (here in Peru is very popular)"

"Nice!"

"I like it by it's flavour and taste... Yeah is not sweet... and cold is delicious for me. Here the Pilsen is promoted because the marketing of the company is focus that the beer is for friends. The Backus company and this company produce different beer but the publicity for each one is different"

http://www.pilsencallao.com.pe/

Wow. Now that was some fantastic information from my friend Ray in Peru about how they market their beers! Very interesting and good to know!

And that is all for today. I'll be here again tomorrow, and I'll delve into our favourite amber fluid more. 

So until then, take it easy!

Cheers!