It's All About the Beer, Buddy!

G'day all!

How are you? I'm great! Thanks again for coming back! New readers - welcome!

Last post, I said that I'd delve into the history of the amber fluid, so this is what I'm doing!

It's a common thought that, because it has been so advertised, that James Squire, was Australia's first Brewer. So I asked Google:

Question: Who was the first brewer in Australia?
Answer: "Lager was not brewed in Australia until 1885. Early beers were also brewed without the benefit of hops, as no-one had successfully cultivated hops in Australia, and importation was difficult. James Squire was the first to successfully cultivate hops in 1804, and he also opened a pub and brewed beer"

I actually found this hard to believe. I mean, is beer still beer if it has no hops? You would say it is, even if it didn't taste as good, it's still called beer, is it not?

I had a look at Wikipedia. I got this answer:

"The first official brewer in Australia was John Boston who brewed a beverage from Indian corn bittered with cape gooseberry leaves. It is likely though that beer was brewed unofficially much earlier. The first pub, the Mason Arms was opened in 1796 in Parramatta by James Larra, a freed convict."

Hmmm... So, maybe James Squire WASN'T the first OFFICIAL brewer in Australia. 

I delved into Australian beer history a little bit further...

information taken from Wikipedia

"Although modern Australian beer is predominantly lager, early Australian beer were exclusively top-fermented and quick-maturing ales. Lager was not brewed in Australia until 1885..."

"In September 1804, a government owned brewery opened in Parramatta, followed by a rival privately owned brewery three months later. The government brewery was sold two years later to Thomas Rushton, who was its head brewer. As of 2013, the Parramatta brewery remains the only government-run brewery in Australia."

Government run? Wow. I thought I'd also have a look at some events during Australia's time as a brewing nation:

• 1824 - Peter Degraves starts the Cascade Brewery in Tasmania. It still is Australia's oldest operational brewery
• 1835 - Tooth Brewery established in Sydney
•  1836 - John Warren start South Australia's first brewery
• 1837 - James Stokes establishes West Australia's first brewery, which later became the Swan Brewery
• 1838 - John Mills establishes the first brewery in Melbourne
• 1862 - Thomas Cooper establishes the Coopers Brewery. To this date, the Cooper family still operates and owns the business, and is the largest Australian owned Brewery
• 1864 - Carlton Brewery opens in Melbourne
• 1881 - CS Button opens the Esk Brewery in Launceston (acquired by James Boag & Son in 1883)
• 1885 - Gambrinus Brewery in Melbourne becomes the first brewery in Australia to brew lager
• 1887 - The Foster brothers arrive from New York with refrigeration equipment and establish the first lager brewery to use refrigeration in Australia
• 1889 - Lager is brewed in Queensland at the Castlemaine and Quinlan Brewery.
• 1901 - Just after Federation, the new government passed the Beer and Excise Act, which regulated the making and selling of beer, and made home brewing illegal. Because of this, several breweries closed. Larger breweries bought the smaller ones. Within a short time, only 2 breweries remain in Sydney - Tooths and Tooheys. In Melbourne, five breweries merged in 1907 to become the giant Carlton and United Breweries
• 2013 - as of this date, Lion Nathan and the Foster's Group, own every major brewery in Australia, with the exception of Cooper's.

How about that for a little bit of beer history?

I thought that I'd just put that into the blog for everyone's knowledge and enjoyment.

Interview time!

First interview for this post is... 

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Mark Hazard!

I've known this wild Texan for a few years. I hadn't heard from Mark in a while, but I had a feeling that he would put his input in after I asked the question on my Facebook page. He came to Australia a few years back, and stayed here for a while, before going back home. He's a top bloke, and loves his beer.

After he read my question, I got this response
"Guinness Export Stout my everyday thing I like that coffee dark chocolate flavours... But here in Texas, the craft brewing is running amok, it seems nearly every time I go to grab a bottle there is a new company. Now the big favourite to make by everybody is IPA of the 20 local breweries that are just in my city alone..."

I LOVE the Guinness Extra Stout. It's exported from Ireland, and it's NOT actually the Guinness that you see everywhere. It's in a special bottle, and IT IS THE DOGS NUTS! I tasted it in Ireland last year, and if its on the shelf, it's mine!

Cheers Mark! Hopefully I will see you soon, either in Oz or Texas!


Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado...

Introducing Charlie Cluster!

I recently met Charlie, and he's a good bloke, loves his beer, and loves his music

"What's your favourite beer buddy?"
Charlie replied "Stella Artois is a classic! Or Hop Hog for that crafty taste!"
"And why do you like it mate?"
"Well Stella is nostalgic for me, first brand I remember enjoying, I always try to find Belgium brewed imports rather than Australian brewed Stella. And my ex used to work at Feral Brewery so I would drink Hop Hog by the gallon, great taste without being too fruity."
"Great answer mate."
"No worries man, happy to help, especially when it comes to beer :P"

Cheers mate - much obliged, and we'll catch up for a frothy one soon!


Well, that's it for this post in this wonderful blog!

Tune in next time, when I interview a few more people, and I'll delve into more beer history, and what it used for besides drinking!

CHEERS! AND DRINK ON!

BEER BUDDY

It's All About the Beer, Buddy!

G'day all! Thanks for coming back again, and if you are a first time reader - a great big welcome to you, you beer lover you!

Today, I'm going to continue my interviews about beer with my many people around the world. I have had an absolutely amazing response from all of you, and I really am truly blessed to have such wonderful beer drinkers as friends!

Let's get this baby rolling!

Interview Numero Uno today...

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Carmela Willis

Carmela and I used to work together at Australia Post. For all those that don't know, it's just our version of Postal! We worked together for five years, and she is an absolute gem of a lady. She loves family, loves her wine and has been known to have the occasional beer or two!

"Hello Carmela! It's been a long time! What's your favourite beer and why?"

"I was introduced to Chill (Miller) when I was on a cruise... very nice"

"What did you like about it Carmela?"

"Chill has a hint of lime, so tasty, light flavoured and easy to drink"

I miss working with all my friends back at AP... friends for life were made. I will be interviewing a few of them over the coming posts...

Cheers Carmela! Thanks for your interview!

Interview number two is where we're at. 

Ladies and gentlemen, a good mate of mine from the south side...

Louie Yovich!

Louie is a good mate of mine. We catch up with each other at random occasions, have a beer and have a banter about life and current events. So I did the usual - I asked him!

"Louie - what's your favourite beer and why?"

He came back with a simple answer "Carlton Dry"

I asked "Why buddy?"

"Cos I can!" 

Classic Louie. Understated, but sometimes silence is deafening! But he added "Sorry I mean 'cause it tastes good... goes down easy on a hot day..."

It certainly does Louie... it certainly does.

Thanks for your input champ! Catch up again soon!

I've been going really well with these interviews, but it's thanks to you, dear reader, that I am able to do this. So - THANKS!

Interview number 3 for this post is...

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Oliver B!!!

I freakin' love this photo. Oliver and I have known each other for a while. We can never remember how we met each other. He is another music phenomena. He loves his dance music, his heavy stuff to. I mean - look at this 7 megapixel photo of him! He's a top bloke, and a person that I love to bump into and chew the cud with!

"Hey buddy, how are you? I'm asking everyone, what's your favourite beer and why?"

He just sends me a photo...

Hmmm... this is not the first time someone has said something about THIS beer!

"Full flavour, long, lingering aftertaste, smooth. The recipe changed some time ago, but it's still nice"

Oli does like his beer. I haven't actually tried this beer however! Methinks its time that I do, as I have now been advised a few times to have a taste of this one.

Cheers Oli! Hope to see you soon and thanks for answering my question!

Our fourth victims... um...err... interviewees are another couple!

These two... are just amazing people.

Ladies and gentlemen... 

Stefire Kaya and Aiden Lifted!

Look at these two happy little Vegemite's, eh?? Such wonderful people. I have known them, for a considerable amount of time. They are true believers and party people, and love life, and try to live it to the fullest. I see them at every bush party or festival that I go to, and Stef works at a very popular Northbridge Pub called The Brass Monkey, which is well known to most West Aussies!

I was talking to Aiden the other day on Messenger, and just brought up the question...

"Hey bud, what's your favourite beer and why? I would like to interview you for my blog."

"Huh? What blog?"

"Its called 'It's All About the Beer, Buddy!'"

Aiden then asked "What, you're gonna interview me on here?"

"yeah!"

"Um, I'm not a beer connoisseur but I like beer 'cause it makes the missus 'easier'"

Right about this time I laugh til I can't breath!

He continues..."put that. That's actually my serious response hahaha"

I'm still laughing

"I like Wild Yak, but whatever is cheapest usually. Wild Yak is my premo "go-to" beer"

"OK, no problem. I'll send you the link when I publish it"

"Nah, sorry man, I don't have an that much of an appreciation of beer to blog about it"

"Don't worry. I'm blogging. You're just the victim lol"

"Fair game"

I was wondering where Stef was, and wanted to know what her favourite beer was.
"What's the missus like beer wise?"
I got the reply...
"Red Winehenstephener. It's got Stef in the name, so we'll go with that!". Aiden is such a funny bloke!
When I DID get a chance to converse with Stef, I got a good answer!
"Love Hop Hog and just tried Sierra Nevada Pale Ale today and it is delicious! I love hoppy beers or really full flavoured ones as opposed to crisp".
What an amazing interview. These two are definitely two people that I could talk to til the sun comes up and goes down again!

Thank you guys! It was a pleasure!

And finally, for the last interview on this post, we go all the way to beautiful Canada. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to...

John Pavel Gardner!

 Here is John in front of the Eiffel Tower. I met John and his good mate Connor on my travels in Europe last year. A great bloke, and we keep in touch. And he loves his beer. I need to Skype him soon!

"Hey buddy! What's your favourite beer and why?"
"Insomniac by Philips Brewing Company. Super hoppy!"
This bloke knows his beers, and is always looking for something different. I'm happy that he came up with something different for us this time.

Thanks Pav, and I'll talk to you very soon!

And it seems that it's come to the end of this post! And also, it's 4:14 in the morning, and I need sleep!

Thankyou, once again readers, for making this blog special. It means the world to me and I hope you continue to read and comment on this blog to keep it successful!

Next post - we'll interview some others, and we'll get into some more beer history!

CHEERS! AND DRINK ON!

BEER BUDDY!