Stone the Crows: Wagga Wagga....... Part Two.

AIBA award sits proudly on display.

.................................. And so the story continues: After a very pleasant evening at The Thirsty Crow we decided an early night would be a good idea as I was due back at the Brewery at midday for "The Brewery Tour" ($13 including tasting paddle), I was told it would last approximately 30 minutes.
We arrived back at Romano's Hotel to find the place packed and pumping, there was live music on when we arrived, we decided we may just stay up a little while longer, it was going to be too loud to sleep anyway, and really the night WAS still young.
We partied the night away with the band, then the DJ rocked "the joint", eventually we retired about 3:00 am (Whoops).

The next morning after a hearty breakfast, we went for a little tour of the city centre of Wagga Wagga, a spot of shopping, then back to The Thirsty Crow.

Blackboard.

Arriving just before midday, Craig was already working hard, there were people inside drinking and eating, the local coffee roaster/barista was prying his wares to about 8 interested coffee persons of unknown origin. I eagerly purchased a bag of beans, (I did mention how good this coffee was didn't I). I then took the opportunity to take some photo's minus last nights crowds whilst I waited for Craig to finish up, and the tour to begin.

The Thirsty Crow.

Entering the Brewery.

Lounge Area/artwork.

Local Artwork.

Craig eventually finished his duties, he then poured some tasting glasses arranged them on the paddles and motioned me over to a table to sit, I realised little old me was the only punter here for the tour so I got a one on one session with the brewer (Win Win). 
We tasted and talked, and I tasted some more, we talked some more, the beers on the paddle today were Kolsch, Hefe, Red Light Ale, Robust Porter, and Jiminy Cricket Vanilla Milk Stout.
Craig spoke of his time at Potters Brewery, and now back in his home town of Wagga Wagga,  the early "fun" getting the Brewery off the ground, we talked all things beer and chatted about the ongoing visions and plans for the Thirsty Crow.
We discussed the beers on tap, and plans for future brews, I got to sample the Pale Ale that was brewing but not on tap whilst we were there, it is a tasty APA style with citrus hop aroma's and a balanced bitterness. There is also an ESB out there too, and I believe all 8 beers are currently pouring at the Thirsty Crow as I write.  (2 seasonals at once is awesome).

Craig spoke of future plans, including the addition of a hundpump (or two), bottling/minikegs, new brews, guest beers, merchandise, local tourism awards, local/national media coverage, the AIBA (and award) and further expansion. The menu has just been updated since our visit.
It was a fantastic afternoon talking all things beer and beyond, after an hour and a half of yakking we were still going, it WAS time to let Craig get back to work and for us head off home.

Craig had been more than generous with his time for me, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart. The Brewery was now filling up with hungry/thirsty people, he offered me a parting drink, I eagerly chose Liquid Bacon as I wanted to enjoy this rauchbier just one more time before leaving. It is really really good !!
I had an awesome time with Craig and at The Thirsty Crow.
This is a great venue that has given Wagga Wagga and surrounds a fantastic new destination. It has also given beerlovers, much better beer choices, with great food to enjoy in a relaxed family friendly brewery.

Could get messy.

For the "KIDS"

So "do yourself a favour", and get yourself to Wagga Wagga for a fantastic time and some award winning beers at The Thirsty Crow, who knows you might also be the only one on the tour and get to spend some one on one time with brewer Craig.
Hmmm speaking of brewery tour that never did happen !!! 
Oh well I'll just have to go back soon and do the "tour" again, maybe in Spring when the next seasonal is on tap.

Jiminy Cricket, Robust Porter, Red Light Ale, Hefe, Kolsch. L-R.

Brewery reflection.

You can find The Thirsty Crow at 31 Kincaid Street Wagga Wagga (02) 69217470 and on Facebook .
Well done Craig and all the team at The Thirsty Crow. We will be back soon. Cheers.

Stone the Crows: Thirsty Wagga Wagga ? Have you got a great new Brewery Part 1.

Just under two weeks ago, on a whim it was decided a visit to country NSW was required to check out the recent AIBA trophy winner for Champion Hybrid Beer and newly opened Thirsty Crow Brewery in Wagga Wagga.
It is now approximately six months since this brewery first opened its doors and according to brewer Craig Wealands it has been busy busy busy.
We arrived in Wagga Wagga at approximately 6.30pm in darkness, we were staying at a pub called Romano's in Fitzmaurice St luckily not too far from the Thirsty Crow in nearby Kincaid St, the Brewery conveniently was on the way to our digs so we were able to drive past to get our bearings, we easily found the Brewery, it was already buzzing.
I was now very keen to get there, but first things first, get to our accomodation and get ready to "hit the town".

Romano's Hotel.

Snacking at Romano's

After checking in at Romano's Hotel, we got spruced up then headed downstairs for a quick drink, this pub is apparently one of Wagga Wagga's more popular nightime destinations, with live music and DJ's, they have the usual macro tap range, some craftbeers by the bottle,  there are many many large screen TV's adorning the bars and outside, Romano's is also the home of rugby in Wagga Wagga.
A glass of white wine and a LC Bright Ale ordered we went outside to sit and plan the evening. It was decided we should have a snack prior to going to the Brewery, so we ordered a mixed dip plate, some deep fried sushi and some arancini balls, these arrived quickly, were very tasty and hit the spot, another round of drinks were consumed then it was time to head off around the corner to The Thirsty Crow the whole purpose of the night.

Looking into the Brewery from the front window.

Nearly there.

It was a "long" walk of nearly 5 minutes, past 3 more pubs (one of which was closed ??) and we were there. We were eagerly greeted at the door by the security guard and wandered in. The brewery was full, big groups, small groups, couples, families, all seated around a spacious area with an assortment of tables/chairs/stools, packing crates/barrels and couches, there was a gas fire pumping out the heat and a foosball table for the kids, some of the tables had cutouts in them and were full of different malts for your sensory pleasure. The walls were adorned with local art and the bar and kitchen area were a hive of activity.  
We quickly found a table and I was even quicker to order a tasting paddle of 5 of the 6 Thirsty Crow brews on tap that night. There were 8 taps pouring, with two reserved this night for guest beers/ciders they were White Rabbit Dark Ale and Pipsqueak Cider.
In the brewery it was all happening, with Craig working away busily whilst we all drank his wares.

Tasting paddle. R-L minus the White Rabbit, Jiminy Cricket & cider.

Tap Fonts.

Tap Fonts.

Tap Fonts.

My paddle consisted of the Kolsch, Hefeweizen, Red Light Ale, Liquid Bacon (a seasonal) and the Robust Porter. I chose not to try Jiminy Cricket at this point, (this is the AIBA award winning Vanilla Milk Stout), I planned to enjoy this one by the pint later in the evening.
My wife chose the local CSU bubbles to enjoy whilst I got stuck into the paddle.

Robust Porter, Liquid Bacon, Red Light Ale, Hefe, Kolsch L-R.

The Kolsh was true to style and very sessionable, a tasty lager, the Hefe too was true to style and easy drinking, next up on the paddle was the Red Light Ale, now here is a light beer with some body, color and flavour.
At 2.9% it is hopped with Galaxy hops so it has a big vibrant nose and the tasty citrus hop bitterness to finish, a superb lower alcohol beer.  
Number four was the first seasonal beer Liquid Bacon. WOW oh WOW!! What a beer, a rauchbier that had smoke, bacon/ham hocks on the nose, it was even the colour of raw bacon so smooth and balanced the only thing missing were the eggs. This is a must try beer if you love all things smoky like me, it would make an awesome breakfast beer, something often discussed in the craftbeer world of late.
Last up was the Robust Porter, a rich chocolatey mouthful very smooth and satisfying, a great way to finish the paddle and my first beer ordered post paddle.

Paddle nearly completed. Menu at hand.

The food was coming out around us at a fast rate, cheese platters, antipasto and "craft pizza's" all these aroma's were now making us a bit peckish again. It was time to order a pizza and another round of drinks, I would enjoy a schooner of Robust Porter and again bubbles for my wife. I was too absorbed in the beer by now to take a photo of our pizza, but it was very tasty and we would gladly order anything on the menu, as it was all beautifully presented.
We devoured our pizza, my wife was now thinking it was time for red wine and I was ready for Jiminy Cricket, the AIBA award winning Vanilla Milk Stout, duly ordered and savioured, this is one smooth drop, rich, creamy head dark roasty malt, subtle vanilla, silky smooth and nicely balanced, a worthy trophy winner and co-incidently Craig's first brewing attempt at stout, this was my choice for dessert.

Jiminy Cricket Vanilla Milk Stout. 

Jiminy and the AIBA Award.

After another pint of Jiminy (and a red for my wife) it was coffee time, this was also delicious, locally roasted coffee made with love and a perfect end to the evening at the Thirsty Crow.
It was now about 11:00 pm, the crowd inside had thinned out a little, but Craig the brewer was still hard at work, preparing for tomorrow's brewing schedule.
We had enjoyed a lovely evening so far in Wagga Wagga, but it was time to push on for tomorrow at midday I would be back at The Thirsty Crow for a Brewery tour and another taste, so it was time to retire..... or so I thought.


To be continued..............................................................................................

Craig hard at work late into the evening.

Coffee time locally roasted in Wagga Wagga.

Menu

The weekly schedule.

The Local Taphouse Goes Feral.
(For all the right reasons).

Approximately 24 hours after leaving The Local Taphouse, I am writing this blog to share my experience from the Feral Tap Takeover that is currently taking place in Melbourne and Sydney at both Taphouses.
Yesterday afternoon I made my way to Carlilse St in East St Kilda to the Local Taphouse to sample 20 beers brewed in the Swan Valley at Feral Brewing Company all tapped that day.
Brendan Varis and his team have been very busy brewing, so the Taphouses' could showcase these 20 Feral beers, some that have up until now only been exclusively poured at the Swan Valley Brewery.

There is 1 lager and 19 ales to sample, some I have tried before, at Feral Brewery, on tap at various pubs in Melbourne or in bottled form i.e. White and Hop Hog both readily available around the country.
I followed the tap list from Beer 1 to 20 on four paddles accompanied with water crackers and much cold water to cleanse the palate, I then had four glasses from some of my personal favorite beers on the day.

Feral Tap List.

Paddle One consisted of Bohemian Pilsner, Feral White, 983 Pale Ale, The Runt and Sail and Anchor
IPA.
I really enjoyed the 983 Pale Ale which uses the Sorachi Ace hop from Japan, it has been used by  brewers recently in a couple of seasonal ales and is becoming increasingly popular. This ale was really light and zingy, with the zesty lemon fresh characteristics of the hops really coming through.
The Pilsener was a nice balanced lager typical of style, with a tasty spicy hop finish.
I was a bit disapointed with the Sail & Anchor IPA which is contract brewed for the S&A pub in Fremantle it didn't live up to my expectations of a big hoppy IPA.

Paddle #1 Beers 1-5. (L-R)

Paddle Two was the one I was looking most forward to, it consisted of the Saisons, the Gose, a Farmhouse Ale, a Wild Ale and a Double Wit. All these beers were exceptional and I enjoyed them all, particularly Jose the Gose and Funky Junky a Wild Ale made with wild yeast from the Swan Valley. The Gose was the most anticipated of the beers on this paddle, it is a style neglected and forgotten around the world and most recently bought back to life by Doctors Orders Brewing in Sydney, prior to this Gose coming out of W.A.
It was an interesting ale, sour on the nose, very minerally, with salt and spice evident, it was very smooth finishing. A very tasty ale I am keen to have again.
Funky Junky was also a stand out, very sour aroma's, light mouthfeel, big sourness on the palate, that didn't linger. Again a very interesting style, one I would love to try again.

Paddle #2 Beers 6-10. (L-R)

Jose the Gose.

Funky Junky.

Paddle 3 consisted of a Brown Ale with an interesting name Nice Guy Dud Root, the superb Smoked Porter, 2 Hop Hogs (Standard  and a big Woody Barrel Fermented version), and the February G.A.B.S. hit Karma Citra.
The Brown Ale was the disapointment on this paddle as with many Brown Ales it failed to "pop" unlike the other beers on this paddle, the Smoked Porter was a surprise, subtle on the nose but powerful on the palate chocolate and sourness also evident, as for the other three I loved them all.
Hop Hog is one of my favorite Aussie beers and his big woody Barrel Fermented brother throws out a huge Oak presence and is so smooth to drink with huge pine and citrus hop flavours. Awesome.
Karma Citra, say no more, again awesome, but I feel it may have been tweaked slightly since G.A.B.S. in February, it tasted roastier and slightly less hoppy. Maybe it was just me, but still an awesome Black Ale.

Paddle #3 Beers 11-15. (L-R)

Paddle 4 consisted of the darker/bigger Alc/Vol Ales, an Oatmeal Stout, American Red Ale, Dubbel, a Barley Wine, and Boris the Russian Imperial Stout. The Brass Monkey Oatmeal Stout brewed for the Sail and Anchor pub was just so so, light in style, again contract brewed for the S&A pub, maybe that is why it is not a stand out Ale, having said that it could be drunk all night, not like most stouts I would normally drink.
Rust threw out big banana lolly and caramel notes, but not a big Dubbel at 6%.
Razorback was different to how I remember it, but I last tasted it in Summer and in the cooler weather was probably colder than last time it was sampled, still a tasty drop, malty, roasty and warming.
Fanta Pants was one of the reasons I went to the Feral Tap Takeover, a rich red color, big hoppy aroma's, bitter yet sweet it was my pick of the day until Boris stepped up to the plate.
This big brooding bloke hugged the glass with a creamy coffee colored head with a fine lace, this stout is a big 10.2% had a great hop aroma not present in stouts I normally drink and my eventual pick of the day(Just). And also the last beer on the list at #20.

Paddle #4 Beers 16-20. (L-R)

 

 

 

Fanta Pants.

Boris.

All in all a great afternoon sampling lots of tasty beers that we Easterners would not normally get to try away from their natural habitat in The Swan Valley.
Congratulations should go to the team at Feral and the Local Taphouse for such an innovative idea, hopefully this is the first tap takeover and the tradition will continue, even if it is a partial takeover.
Well that was my spin on the day, get there if you can because there may only be one or two kegs of each of these beers available.

Coming up next at The Local TapHouse is the Kiwi Craft Beer SpecTAPular during Good Beer Week, another showcase of quality beer from our friends across the ditch. It will be a ripper. Cheers.