I met today with the proprietors of a soon-to-open, Brisbane-based upmarket fish and chippery called Scales & Ales. As the very cool and clever name would suggest, in addition to serving seafood they will also be focusing on their beers.
As someone who beats his head on restaurant doors trying to get them to be even a little serious about beer, I was excited to meet some restauranteurs who were enthusiastic about featuring good beer. It was only after leaving that I realised just how august the company I was in was. The chef is Frank Correnti, the man who ran the kitchens at such Brisbane icons as Cha Cha Char and Watt.
Frank and his wife Jane were after some advice in finalising their beer menu and matching the beers to the seafood. There wasn't much for me to do, they had a great list prepared already. If you're in Brisbane - which can tend to resemble a post-apocalyptic wasteland when it come to beer - I highly recommend trying the restaurant when it opens next Thursday. In addition to an unusually limited 'usual suspects' range to keep people happy, they have included some great beers including Lord Nelson 3 Sheets, Stone & Wood Lager, are the first establishment in Brisbane to feature the excellent Schweinhund hefeweizen and Ace of Spades stout from Brewboys, Mac's Hoprocker and Meantime IPA, Pilsner and Wheat Grand Cru. I haven't tried the food yet but I'd happily go along just for the beers.
Scales & Ales Gourmet Fish Bar 5 Wambool Street Bulimba Q 4171 www.scalesandales.com.au
I should point out, I wasn't paid by the restaurant for my advice, it's just great to see a restaurant enthusiastic and serious about beer.