HoppingMadBrewery

Hopping into spring

2006-11-04T12:35:00.000-08:00

It's spring, and the birds, bees and blooms are all having an effect on tastes available in real beer, wine and foods.
Food trail fanatics and growers market go-ers will find one of Australias most appetising districts a short drive from Sydney, at Orange.
Orange is the highest altitude wine region in Australia, and therefore a distinctively cool climate region. From the summit of Mt Canobolas at 1,400m (nothing higher to the west until Mozambique) to the lower slopes around 600m, the distinct seasons bring snow and frost in the winter, golden evenings in the spring and autumn and bright sun in the summer. The hilly landscape offers views and aspects for vineyards allowing for a range of "terroirs". There are 40 brands of wine, 24 cellar doors that are regularly open and 55 vineyards.
And there’s a real ale brewery, in the middle of that vogue tasting district.
The Hopping Mad brewery is a family owned and operated micro brewery producing fresh hand crafted beer, ale and stout.
While Hopping Mad only commenced operation in November 2003, the brewery itself has been in production for nearly 20 years in the UK.
The whole set-up, comprising an 800 mash tun, 800 litre copper kettle, four fermenters, and a hot and cold liquor tank, was purchased from the Flyman and Firkin Ale House in England and shipped it to Orange in May 2003.
The boutique brewery range of premium beers is enhancing the Orange region's reputation as the 'food basket' of NSW.
Orange. Ph: 6361 0953 / 0412 977 320

Potters Brewery

2006-03-14T00:39:00.000-08:00

The Hunter Beer Company is a Beer Oasis among the giants in the Hunter Valley Wine Country. Potters Hotel & Brewery is now regarded as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Hunter Valley. The Hunter Beer Company brews on site daily, hand crafting four distinct styles of beers: Lager, Kolsch, ginger beer and Bock styles.

Their beers are also on tap at:
· Equilibrium Hotel in World Square, Sydney
· Hillside Hotel, Castle Hill
· The Brewhouse, Lalor Park
· St George Hotel, Belmore
· Iguana Joes Waterfront Bar, Gosford
· Kincumber Hotel, Kincumber
· Chittaway Tavern, Tuggerah
· The Australian Heritage Hotel, The Rocks

Tours and tasting sessions at the Potters brewery cost $6.

St Practice Day

2006-03-13T00:25:00.000-08:00

I trust that you celebrated St Practice Day, over the weekend.
You know that you can't celebrate St Pat's day, properly, without serious training.
Hence, St Practice Day.
I spent the day in training up in the Hunter Valley, at
Harrigans Pub

I tink that I will be well again by the 17th.
Cheers

Food and Wine trails

2006-02-16T13:03:00.000-08:00

Breaking out on the weekend is an adventure.
A great web site lists the best and latest reports from food and wine trails around the country.
You might start with this link boutique beer trails

Fancy a pint? Show us your digit.

2006-02-10T00:22:00.000-08:00

Forget the argument about smoking in pubs and clubs. Now you’ve got to remember to keep your thumbs clean.
The London Times reports that a town in Somerset is to become the first town in Britain to install “biometric” fingerprint scanners in pubs and clubs, and this identifications decides if you can buy a beer or not.

The town of Yeovil, with 45 pubs and half a dozen clubs, can seem like the Wild West on a Saturday night. Groups of young people make their way from Globetrotters to The Beach or the Chicago Rock Café. If they are refused entry to one they can always try another.
Five clubs have signed up for the thumbprint trial, which is being backed by police. The scheme’s backers expect that the rest of the town’s licensed premises will join “within months”.
Clubbers and drinkers will be asked to register by providing proof of ID and personal information including name, address, date of birth and a photograph. They will then have the print of their right index finger scanned on to a computer.
Each time a person enters premises in the scheme his or her finger will be scanned, bringing up a list of personal details. In return for participating, people will no longer have to produce means of identification on entry to nightclubs.
Although a few venues elsewhere in Britain have introduced fingerprint scanners, this is the first time they have been “networked”. If someone is identified as a troublemaker his or her details can be flashed to other licensed premises within seconds, giving doormen warning to look out for them.
Customers seen causing trouble will be subject to an immediate ban until the next meeting of the town’s Pubwatch committee, which includes police and licensees. Cases will be considered individually and a longer ban imposed according to the severity of the offence.
Drinkers have to register only once, which takes about a minute, and although it is voluntary it may eventually become a condition of entry. The scheme is expected to be in operation by the end of March.
Terry Clare, the owner of Dukes nightclub, said that he had to overcome his doubts. “When I first heard, I was against it, but after it was explained to me I believe it will be an asset and make it safer for people to come out at night.

Super Bowl ad

2006-02-06T00:24:00.000-08:00

Cheers! Salud! Kampai!
The brewing industry toasted beer lovers around the world on Super Bowl Sunday with a new television ad to promote beer's image.
The ad celebrates beer's global popularity and directs consumers to a new beer-themed Web site, http://www.herestobeer.com .
The new ad and Web site were developed by Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD) and are supported by the Beer Institute. Anheuser-Busch is donating 30 seconds of its highly coveted advertising time during this Sunday's Super Bowl telecast to air the "Here's To Beer" ad called "Slainte," named for the Gaelic translation of "cheers."
"Beer is about good times with good friends. It's a social beverage that's been a part of mankind's history for more than 10,000 years, and it doesn't carry the pretense of other alcohol drinks," said Robert C. Lachky, executive vice president, global industry development, Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
"This ad reinforces beer's appeal around the world and celebrates beer as the beverage of sociability and fun."
Created by DDB Chicago, "Slainte" was shot on location in four countries -- Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic and Kenya.
Instead of using professional actors, the ad features local consumers raising a glass of beer to toast in their native languages.
The ad's tagline directs consumers to the Web site, which features information on beer's history, different styles of beer, food pairings and the latest "Here's To Beer" advertising.
"This ad and Web site were created to celebrate beer -- from its social value to the romance of the brewing process," Lachky said. "Beer clearly remains an alcohol beverage of choice, accounting for nearly 60 percent of all American alcohol beverage servings. However, it's the responsibility of the brewing industry to make sure beer remains relevant and appealing to our consumers, and that's the goal of the 'Here's To Beer' ad and Web site."
The "Here's To Beer" ad and Web site will focus on the following areas:
-- Reminding consumers of the social value of beer
-- it brings people together in an unpretentious way.
-- Romancing the product and the art of brewing
-- reinforcing beer's refreshment, all-natural ingredients and the beauty of its liquid.
-- Encouraging consumers to view beer differently
-- giving them new ways to enjoy beer including ideas and recipes for pairing with food.

Cheers. We'll drink to that

Beer of the month

2006-02-05T12:56:00.000-08:00

BeerLovers has been having great success already, celebrating Hopping Mad Brewery's wheat beer as their beer of the month.
I guess they've got good timing. Wheat beer at the end of a hot day's work in the middle of an Australian summer's day makes sense.
Wheat Beer is completely refreshing, and since the big beer companies in Australia have stopped promoting beer as a legitimate reward for hard workers, I guess our offering has a place to fill.

Real Beer in a Real Town

2005-10-30T01:19:00.000-08:00

If you enjoy real beer, you'll probably enjoy drinking it even better in historic .
Millthorpe

Tonic Restaurant 02 6366 3811, Millthorpe 2798
Cnr Pym & Victoria St; Open: Dinner Wed-Sat, Weekend Brunch; Seats Inside 50

Tonic is well worth trip out to the historic town of Millthorpe, nestled deep in the heart of New South Wales Millthorpe only 15 minutes from Orange.
Millthorpe is a picturesque, compact and historic village set amidst gently rolling hills. Classified by the National Trust, it has a number of fine historic buildings, as well as cobbled, bluestone-bordered streets,
Wander in for brunch on the weekend as chef, Tony Worland (a protégé of Matt Moran), serves up the best local fare in his light, bright establishment. There are many fine wineries in the area, or you can order up a bottle of the local Hopping Mad wheat beer drop to have with your meal.
Take some beer home, for the driver. He’ll need one after abstaining all day, while driving you around.

Straight Up Beer

2005-10-30T01:12:00.000-08:00

The new comedy movie hit Sideways tells the story of two men who drink their way through the Californian wine country on a midlife crisis tasting tour.
Forget California, and forget the Hunter Valley. Those who want to have their own midlife tour, or just want to enjoy life, can find plenty of fine drinking and eating right here at home.
Take a trip to Orange
Two of the state's best country restaurants, Selkirks and Lolli Redini are in the town. There are plenty of B&B alternatives, including Arancia, Wirruna Lodge and Cloudgap just outside town. Tonic restaurant at nearby Millthorpe has garnered much praise.
They serve Hopping Mad Ale and Wheat Beer at Tonic. Straight Up.

Role Model

2005-10-26T14:24:00.000-07:00

International supermodel Landi Swanepoel has a hankering for hops. In the December issue of FHM, a British-based gentleman's mag that is sold at newsstands and in bookstores, Swanepoel is quoted as saying: "Beer is awesome. When I go out, my friends order me all these fancy drinks, but all I want is a Bud. Sometimes I sneak one by myself."
Swanepoel, who is amply shown in a five-page spread in the mag, displays no beer gut. She continues: It gets even better when Swanepoel likens beer to underwear. "To me, lingerie is like a cold beer. It makes me feel better. “

Beer Club

2005-10-15T15:05:00.000-07:00

Wheat Beer, from Hopping Mad Brewery is number four in the most popular beers available from The Australian Beer Club. Hopping Mad Ale is number two.
Wheat Beer is the same drop that sold out recently at the weekend long tasting of specialty beers at the historical The Australia Hotel, in The Rocks, at Sydney.
For more information on The Australian Beer Club, check their web site at www.australianbeerclub.com

Free Beer

2005-10-15T01:00:00.000-07:00

There's probably no room at the inn tonight.
Australia's Mary Donaldson, who became royalty last year when she married Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, gave birth to her first child at 1.57am (9.57am AEST) today at Copenhagen University Hospital.
The punters will be celebrating tonight in the most Australian way possible - with free beer.
Frederik and Mary's affair reportedly came to a head after they met at the Slip Inn, in Sussex street, Sydney during the 2000 Olympics.
Clearly thrilled by his pub's contribution to the royal couple's baby boy, Slip Inn manager James Taylor said free beer would be on offer to patrons for an hour.
He’s putting on Cascade for the gullible.
What ‘s that got to do with the royal birth? The beer to celebrate should be Cascade ( from Tasmania ) or Carlsberg, from Denmark. Perhaps the Slip inn slipped up. We’re hopping mad at this .

Rush on Wheat Beer

2005-10-13T03:06:00.000-07:00

Hopping Mad brewery proved a winner with the crowds, they sold out of all supplies of their Wheat beer at a beer tasting festival in Sydney's historic Rocks area, during the first weekend in October.
The event was the first major Boutique Beer tasting at the Australian Hotel. Small brewers from all over Australia had their specialty and premium brews avaiable for a taste test.
Australia Hotel in the Rocks is one of the few pubs in Sydney where a huge range of on-tap and bottled or canned beers are available. More than 90 beers can be bought through the bars or the bottle shop on any day of the week. The Festival was a way to let more people know the range available, without having to buy full sized beers.

The event took the Licencee six months to organise, and was so successful that the weekend festival will be repeated next year.

Boutique Beer of the Year

2004-11-12T19:41:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the Western Australian Little Creatures Pale Ale for winning top marks as Boutique Beer of the Year, 2004 .
Their title was announced at the eleventh annual Australian Liquor Industry Awards.
Each year the award becomes more competitive, as new micro breweries open and the brewers settle in.
New Product of the year recognised Bluetongue Lager
Liquor Store of the year is Kemmeny's, Bondi
Let's hope the outlets and distributors keep supporting wider availability of boutique beers.

A beer is good for you

2004-09-16T01:36:00.000-07:00

Study Shows Beer Has Same Benefits As Red Wine
Sep 14th, 2004
Beer drinkers can toast the news that their favourite beverage possesses the same benefits as red wine, the alcohol long celebrated for its antioxidant properties.
Researchers at The University of Western Ontario have found one drink of beer or wine provides equivalent increases in plasma antioxidant activity, which helps prevent the oxidization of blood plasma by toxic free radicals that trigger many aging diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and cataracts.
Biochemistry and kinesiology professor John Trevithick, one of the lead researchers and a long-time expert on the role of antioxidants in human health, says, “We were very surprised one drink of beer or stout contributed an equal amount of antioxidant benefit as wine, especially since red wine contains about 20 times the amount of polyphenols as beer.”
Polyphenols are the compounds in plants that help prevent UV damage from the sun and make the plant cell wall strong. They are believed to have antioxidant benefits when consumed by the human body. Even though red wine contains more polyphenols than beer, this study showed the body absorbs about equally effective amounts of bioactive molecules such as polyphenols from beer and wine.
Beer, wine, stout, and matured spirits (rum, whisky, sherry and port), which extract tannins from the oak casks they are matured or stored in, all contain significant amounts of polyphenols.
While studies have shown one daily drink of almost any alcoholic beverage can help reduce the risk of many aging diseases, Trevithick cautions larger daily intakes (three drinks per day) actually increase the risk of these diseases. His study suggests the risk is increased because three drinks result in the blood becoming pro-oxidant.
This phenomenon is known as “hormesis”, the concept that small doses of a toxic substance can have beneficial effects while a large amount is harmful The study will be published in the journal Nonlinearity in Biology, Toxicology and Medicine this December.
Trevithick is cross-appointed in the School of Kinesiology in the Faculty of Health Sciences and in the Schulich School of Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.