We’ve just had our 15th gathering and they just keep getting better. This gathering was a little different as we were hosted by what would have to be the best bottle shop in Canberra – Plonk in the Fyshwick markets. Ant from Plonk arranged for us to come in after hours on Wednesday the 18th of April. He put on the Beers on and we (Kenny & Oners) put on the food.
Ant from Plonk approached the ABC via Oners after reading our article in the Feb 2012 edition of the Beer & Brewer magazine. When we were discussing what sort of beers we’d like, it was made clear to Ant that we wanted some beers that none of us would have tried before, he didn’t disappoint and we were given the opportunity to experience some very different & unusual beers. Ant was the perfect beer guru and host and shared this wealth of beer knowledge running us through the tasting notes of each of the four beers.
Our 1st beer for the evening was a “Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye from California USA” (8%). Essentially a strong American IPA made with 20% rye malt. Darker in colour, Hop Rod Rye boasts a huge hop aroma and flavour accompanied by a slightly sweet, malty finish. Deep copper colour with a minimal light beige head that leaves very nice lacing on the glass. Pine aroma dominates with some spices. The taste up front malty, with a nice kick of hops in the centre and finishes with a gorgeous weave of rye and spice. We kicked off the food for the night with a couple of platters from the Euro Deli a couple of doors down from Plonk, they and speck, salami, ham, cheese, olives, sundried tomatoes etc… Very nice
The 2nd beer was a “Dieu du Ciel Charbonnière from Montreal Canada” (5%). Brewed in the tradition of the smoked ales of Bamberg (Germany), this amber ale has delicate malty and smoky aromas. It is full-bodied, malty and slightly sweet to the taste, very thick in the mouth and the smoke flavour is almost overwhelming, in a good way (a few ABC members said this beer was like getting a jumper that has been next to a camp fire all weekend, soaking it in beer, wringing it out and drinking it) Not for everyone. Kenny & Red got busy on the BBQ and cooked up some very tasty little mince sticks called “Cheumpi” with a ricotta cheese dipping sauce.
The 3rd beer was a “Maudite from Quebec Canada” (8%). The Damned One is a Belgian Strong Ale, mahogany-coloured, rich-tasting premium beer that has a distinctive, complex taste. Because of the warmth it releases, this strong character beer must be served cool but not cold. Perfect with pasta, red meats, stews and spicy dishes, it also makes a good aperitif and after-dinner drink. Ant said that some have rated this beer the BEST IN THE WORLD; I couldn’t argue with that, it is certainly up there. By this point in the evening the boys were getting pretty hungry and Kenny & Red were getting busy on BBQ with some Garlic Lamb Skewers which went down a treat.
The 4th beer & last beer of the evening was a “Brewboys Ace of Spades from Adelaide” (5.9%). This stout is best described as an extra stout, not dry or sweet. It has a hefty mouth feel, well balanced with a moderate alcohol and bitterness leaving you wanting more. The dark roasted aromas suggested charred nuts, sweet blackberry and a strangely attractive dirty character. This stout is not a huge face slapping hit of flavour, rather it is well balanced, rich and easy to enjoy. The last food of the evening by our master chefs Kenny & Red was a serve of Satay Chicken Skewers. Everyone certainly went away well fed.
Midway through the night Ant hosted a little beer trivia, throwing questions out to the very attentive ABC members and handing out little prizes to those that answered correctly. A very big thanks goes out to Ant from Plonk for his hospitality and fantastic service. He was a very busy man keeping up with Janso’s intake of beers. Please remember to drop into Plonk each and every time you’re out at the Fyshwick markets and sample one or two of his endless range of beers.
