The Alliance Hotel in Spring Hill has been gradually developing itself as a venue for craft beer and great food. I have been really impressed with their approach, and not just because I have been working with them to develop their beer list. I don’t know of too many other pubs that would allow me to write tasting notes for their beers like this…
- Budweiser 5% (AB InBev, US) We don’t understand why it’s called ‘premium’ just because its imported either. Light-flavoured and crisp but, unlike Fosters in Oz, at least they really do drink this in the US.
- Corona 4.6% (Grupo Modelo, Mx) What can we say about the flavour of Corona, apart from here at The Alliance we use only the finest limes.
- Sapporo (Sapporo, Coopers) Yes, it’s brewed in Australia, but so what? When it was ‘imported’ it came from Canada. Another crisp, easy-drinking lager. The can will stand out on your table.
- Heineken (Heineken, Lion) Heineken talks more about the packaging than the beer, so why should we be any different? You know how it tastes, if you like it – go for it.
- McLaren Vale ALE 4.5% (Mclaren Vale Beer Co, SA and contract) An Australian pale ale gently showcasing balance of malt, ale yeast and hop bitterness, with light Amarillo and Cascade aromas.
- Two Birds Golden Ale 4.4% (contract) A delightfully balanced ale, with an emphasis on malt with aromatic hops. Offers a flavour dividend and complexity, while still leaving your palate intact.
It will be interesting to see if honesty has a future in beer menus and if it catches on elsewhere. Hey, I can dream, can’t I?
Anyway, I have been working with them to develop their beer list with Australian craft and will be gradually adding some imported craft beers as well. This is where you come in. I am going to host a monthly beer tasting to trial some of the beers I am considering. You get to have a say and see what you think and see whether they should be put on. As with all of my tastings, they will be laid-back and relaxed, with great beer and fun the emphasis.
The first tasting...
In the first tasting I am going to pit three beers in traditional styles from the US’s North Coast Brewing against three of the same style from the traditional breweries. You get to choose whether the imitator or the original is the best of the bunch.
We will see:
North Coast Le Merle (Super Saison) –vs– Saison Dupont Bons Voeux North Coast Brother Thelonius (Belgian Abbey Ale) –vs– Brasserie Dupont Moinette Brune North Coast PranQster (Belgian Golden Ale) –vs– Duvel
I can’t think of a tasting I have been more excited about, with such legendary classics up against an exciting array of US craft imports…
Apart from the tastings there will be some finger foods from The Alliance’s kitchen and plenty of lucky door prizes.
Hope to see you there!
Where: The Alliance Hotel, Boundary Road, Spring Hill When: 9 October at 5.30 for 6pm start. Price: $39 all inclusive.