Sip & Savour is the official closing event of SCBW14, and you better believe it’s going out with a bang. We caught up with some of the brewing and musical talent that’s on show next weekend.
A QUICK BEER WITH CASTLECOMER
Tell us about your band – what do you sound like, who’s the biggest rock star, and who’s most likely to enjoy a quiet drink at the end of a gig?
The Castlecomer sound could be described as pop-rock, with our five-part harmonies bringing a twist of folk to the table. We’re just about to release our third EP, which is a definite maturation in our sound, so we’re really excited about sharing that, and always looking forward to our next tour. The biggest rock star in the band would have to be our bass player Joe, hands down – if it wasn’t already obvious from his dreadlocks. Our keyboard player Neely would have to be the most likely to enjoy a quiet drink at the end of a gig, and lead singer Bede most likely to enjoy a loud one!
They say beer goes down best with a hard-earned thirst – what’s been keeping you guys busy of late?
We toured the east coast promoting our single ‘Fugitive’ throughout September, and followed that up with a few shows at Caloundra Music Festival on the Sunshine Coast earlier this month. We’ve also been doing a lot of songwriting and work in the studio when we have a bit of time in between shows. On top of that we’re busy making preparations for the release of our next single and the rest of our upcoming EP, as well as our next tour, so it’s all pretty non-stop.
What’ve you got planned for your set at Sip & Savour for Craft Beer Week?
Some ear-pleasing tunes, followed by a few big, delicious craft beers! We were thinking we might dedicate each song of our set to a different beer and turn it into “Castlecomer’s Great Beer Odyssey”… maybe. It certainly has a ring to it. We’re looking forward to catching Husky’s set as well.
What’s on your ultimate rider?
Our current usual rider entails a whole lot of beers and waters. It keeps us happy and hydrated, and ensures that we have (and put on!) a good show. Our ultimate rider would be a completely different animal, which it’s doubtful we could go into all the details of here. But there are few things Joey dreams of more than having an industrial-sized fan next to his keyboards to keep him from overheating – he already has one of these in our rehearsal space, and the day he got it was a good day for all of us. And we’d also love a Lazy Susan in our dressing room, because Lazy Susans just make everything easier, not to mention more fun.
BREWER’S PROFILES
Brewer’s Profile #1
Your story: Batch Brewing Company was started in late 2013 by friends Chris and Andrew. They embody a philosophy of brewing beer the old-fashioned way; handcrafted ales brewed batch by batch for the local community. An American Pale Ale is the only staple beer from Batch Brewing Company, with the boys regularly showcasing a range of limited release ales, which can be enjoyed at the brewery (44 Sydenham Road, Marrickville), or in local venues in Sydney’s inner west and CBD.
Your speciality: We brew an American Pale Ale that is our only constant beer, and we think it’s pretty damn good. However, what’s more our specialty is bringing out new variations on known beer styles, or even new styles altogether, on a regular basis. We embrace change when it comes to variety!
Best drunk with: Friends and good conversation. It’s fun to have a great beer and be able to sit down and chat about it with your friends. From the great experience you had at the brewery (where you may have picked up the beer), to the interesting tastes your experiencing on the palette.
Pour us a drink – where to get it: Come to the brewery for beer fresh out of the tanks Thursday to Sunday until 8pm. We are also currently supplying to various bottle shops and pubs in the inner west and CBD. If we’re not in a venue and you want to get us, ask the bar staff!
Website:batchbrewingco.com.au
Phone: 0419 348 958
Brewer’s Profile #2
Your story: Murray and the team have been brewing unique and offbeat naturally crafted beers since 2006, and in the process have won a bunch of awards and accolades – including Australia’s Brewer of the Year last year.
As a small brewer, authenticity is very important to us. We are an independent, 100 per cent Australian owned and run craft brewer who is passionate about improving the public’s perception of beer as a beverage in our country. Today, Murray’s Craft Brewing Co shares its home with Port Stephens Winery, the region’s oldest vineyard. Showcasing beer and wine together is quite a natural thing for us. Bringing the two together in a great tourist location seemed like a great way to provide visitors with a wide variety of taste sensations.
Your speciality:Over the years we have brewed over 55 beers including Whale Ale, Angry Man Pale Ale and Moon Boy Golden Ale, but our latest addition is an American IPA called Fred. The beer is 6% ABV, 75 IBU and is aggressively late hopped with a house blend of hops from the Pacific Northwest of the US. It has classic US IPA hop aroma and flavour with big citrus and pine notes throughout. At 75 IBU it has assertive bitterness which is just balanced by the single pale malt addition. Unfiltered and natural.
Best drunk with:Have with anything smoky Southern US/Mexican with loads of habanero or chipotle sauce.
Pour us a drink – where to get it: BWS, Dan Murphy’s, Vintage Cellars, Liquorland and all good craft beer shops and pubs nationally.
Website: murraysbrewingco.com.au
Brewer’s Profile #3
Your story: Located in north-west Sydney in the rolling Hills District we’ve been brewing for four years. We put some serious investment into the brewery and focus on great examples of various beer styles with the focus always being on flavour expression and drinkability. Our two main sellers, The Pale Ale and The Pilsner, are distributed nationally through Dan Murphy’s and our Extra Hoppy Ale through Vintage Cellars. Seasonals are found in all the usual great venues around Sydney and Melbourne and we also have significant distribution in Japan with other Asian countries coming on line shortly.
Your speciality: The Pale Ale, which is an Australian pale ale brewed to showcase Galaxy hops. Unfiltered, unpasteurised, it’s a simple and highly enjoyable beer. We’re also the first Australian craft brewery to put our beer into cans for the quality and environmental benefits this packaging format gives us.
Best drunk with: Another one. We don’t aim to make big beers, we aim to make them such that the third or fourth one tastes even better than the first. Harder than you’d think.
Pour us a drink – where to get it:At our three venues in the Hills – The Australian Brewery, Hillside Tavern and Bella Vista Hotel. In the city, The Union, Dove & Olive, Cookhouse, Brooklyn Social, Quarrymans Hotel – you know the ones…
Website: australianbrewery.com
Phone: (02) 9679 4555
Brewer’s Profile #4
Sydney Brewery (& Lovedale Brewery)
Your story:Originally Schwartz Brewery, founded by Dr. Jerry Schwartz and housed in the belly of The Macquarie Hotel for seven years. Now all beer is produced at the brand new Lovedale Brewery at the Schwartz-owned Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley. And the renowned Sydney Cider, now produced at Australia’s first purpose-built cider room at World Square. All distribution is currently handled in house.
Your speciality: The first beer out of Lovedale Brewery, Lovedale Lager has recently received a trophy and Gold Medal for Best European Style Lager at the Australian and International Beer Awards. Glamarama Summer Ale just received a Silver Medal at The Royal Sydney Beer and Cider Show and is the featured beer at this year’s Sculpture By The Sea. Sydney Cider received a Bronze Medal at Sydney Royal and will also be featured at this year’s SXS, given Sydney Brewery are proud Event Partners.
Best drunk with: Lovedale Lager is a clean, crisp lager that matches beautifully with a charcuterie board and pizza. Glamarama is a refreshing summer ale with strong citrus notes that teams perfectly with fresh prawns and grilled seafood. Sydney Cider is a champagne cider that is versatile at the table, matching equally well with pork dishes, spicy Asian and desserts including chocolate and most cheeses.
Website: sydneybrewery.com
Phone: Richard Feyn, 0412 288 144
Brewer’s Profile #5
Your story: Riverside Brewing Company is a craft brewery based in western Sydney, founded in 2012 by head brewer Dave Padden and Stephen Pan. All of Riverside’s beers are brewed and bottled onsite in Parramatta and available on tap and in 330ml bottles.
Your speciality: Riverside quickly became known for our ‘hop-forward’ style of beers and our two flagship beers are definitely the ‘77’ India Pale Ale and ‘44’ American Amber. Both beers regularly feature in the Hottest 100 Craft Beers of Australia and the Critics’ Choice Australia’s Best Beers.
Best drunk with: The ‘77’ India Pale Ale matches perfectly with spicy foods such as a good curry or chilli dish, while the ‘44’ American Amber loves to be paired with flavoursome grilled or smoked meats.
Pour us a drink – where to get it: The best place to check out the brewery and try our beers is on the brewery cellar door, which is open Friday 2-6pm and Saturday 12-4pm. You can take our beer home fresh in two-litre growlers or in 330ml bottles. Riverside beers can also be found on tap all over Sydney and Newcastle at venues that support good craft beer, while our bottles can be found in over 30 independent bottle shops as well. Jump on the website below for a list of stockists.
Website: riversidebrewing.com.au
Phone: (02) 9890 7007
Brewer’s Profile #6
Your story:Best mates and mad home brewers Nick Newey and Pat McInerney decided two years ago to give up their day jobs and open up their own brewery in Mary Street, St Peters. Our doors will open during this Craft Beer Week… arrrrgh! How did we manage to do that?!
Your speciality: All our beers are named after our mates. So choosing one absolute fave would be like causing a fight in the family. I love the Foo Brew Golden Ale (named after our plumber). There’s also Todd’s Trailer Pale Ale (Todd Payne, owner of a trailer); The Crazy Ivan – IPA (Ivan is just crazy); Nick’s Black Bunny – Black Ale (fellow brewer and handy guy); and finally Old Salty – a German Gose (named after Nick’s dad Paddy).
Best drunk with: Our beers are all about friends both old and new. You should always share our beers with your mates at any occasion.
Pour us a drink – where to get it: Taps: Black Penny, Henson Hotel, Tempe Hotel, Golden Barley, The Bank, Gasoline Pony, Lazy Bones. Bottle shops: Barney’s, Newtown Fine Wines, Enmore Fine Wines, Wine Society.
Website: Best to find us on Facebook
Phone: 0413 514 026
For more info, check out the Sydney Craft Beer Week 2014.
