A day in the life of a Brisbane bike salesman

BEER OF THE WEEK.

Beer of the Week: James Squire - Porter

Available at: XXXX Ale House - Corner of Black & Paten St
(just down from Milton Road)
Milton, Brisbane

James Squire Porter is the dark horse in the Malt Shovel Brewery beer range.  It presents with an opaque dark colour with hints of rich browns and reds with an initial soft creamy head that purveys a pleasant malty aroma.  First taste shows mouth feel that is not as smooth as its stouter sibling style but gives way to familiar roasted barley flavours and a powerful hoppy bitterness.  Like all the Malt Shovel range this beer is well balanced and extremely enjoyable.  It will leave you smacking your lips trying to soak up every drop of malty flavour.  Try and drink this beer slowly as it should be savoured and not guzzled - otherwise you will miss the hidden meaning.  James Squire Porter keeps alive the traditions of the porter which do not have the heavy and complicated characteristics of some stouts on the market.  This means you are allowed to have a couple more after dinner than usual!  

The porter is half way between our amber ale and a real stout in flavour complexity. It is not as thick and viscous as a stout, not quite as black, and has more chocolate/roasted coffee notes rather than harsh burnt smokey finishes.

Chuck Hahn, Director and Brewmaster, Malt-Shovel Brewery

BEER OF THE WEEK.

Holgate, Extra Special Bitter.

Give Me More Hops! The Holgate Extra Special Bitter is steeped in tradition - a hand-pumped naturally conditioned Real Ale, follows the English brewers tradition of denoting “Extra Special” beers as having a higher alcohol than a “Mild”, with rich and complex malt additions and highly bittered with English hops. The Holgate version combines a special blend of crystal and roast malts and generous additions of English Fuggles and Goldings hops to create a very “moreish” Ale rich in flavour.

Naturally carbonated through a secondary fermentation in kegs and bottles, this beer contains a light yeast sediment - which is your guarantee of a Real Ale with real flavour! Served through traditional beer engine at Holgate Brewhouse, this beer is a great accompaniment with full flavoured dishes - beef, game, duck.

Try one at Archive Bar in Westend.