Strange Brew

Brad Rogers takes a look at the hop-driven pale ale and how we're making it our own...

I know in the past few issues we've spoken about strange brews that are right out there. I thought this edition I would bring it back a little - right back to the basics of our raw materials, and specifically the HOPS!

There's no better beer style in the world to showcase the complexities of hops than the pale ale - be it the American version like our Alpha Pale Ale or Little Creatures' version - or the classic English pale ale or India pale ale, and we've all tasted a heap of those.

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Of Ales and Autos

Drinking and driving might be for bloody idiots, but cars and beers certainly do mix and not just V8 Supercars and VB, writes Graham Reeks.

YOU love your car. You love your beer. Don't worry, it's perfectly natural and you're not alone. But why is it that beer and cars match up so well?

For a start cars have doors that open, and beer opens the doors to perception. Cars are kept behind garage doors and beer is kept behind fridge doors. Both can make you smile, and both account for a large proportion f your disposables.

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Wanna B.E.T?

In B&B's first issue we reported on our craft brewers' efforts to reduce the excise payable by small brewers to provide similar assistance to that received by the nation's small wineries. Jamie Cook looks at what it will mean for Australia's burgeoning micro-brewing industry if the new Federal Labor Government agrees to change the current beer excise regime...

Australian beer lovers are increasingly well serviced with the country now boasting more than 120 breweries and a number of new operations set to open in 2008.

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AIBA 2008 Preview

March 27 sees the annual Australian International Beer Awards, the pre-eminent showcase for brewing excellence in Australasia. Last year 941 entries from 39 countries fought it out for the coveted Champions trophies, securing the AIBA's place as the second largest beer competition of its type in the world. Here is B&B's behind the scenes look at the awards.