It hot in Melbourne, Australia at the moment - maybe you know that if you are a tennis fan, maybe you just should know that given we are in the southern hemisphere. We are also in the middle of a Omicron wave at the moment, so we are back to working from home (not thro0ugh any mandate, just common sense). So at the end of a long week of work it's time for a Friday night nights.
This is not with workmates in on of the bars at the bottom of one of the blurry buildings in the background of the shot above but rather just on our balcony with my partner. It's different, there is less bitching about work people, but the view is better and the prices and beer selection is better too.
Getting to select beers from our drudge is an advantage. First up is a beer we picked up when we were away a couple of weeks ago. It's from Ocean Reach brewing in Phillip Island (about a hour and a half from Melbourne). And it's a West coast IPA
It's been a while since I've had a good old school West Coast IPA - everything nowaday is hazy and fruit juicy. But this looks like a classic, nice cooper colour clear not hazy. And it tastes like a classic as well, distinct apricot and stone fruit taste in the hops and a nice bitterness balanced with a strong malt backbone. All in all a great brew.
As the sun drops in the drops in the sky both the hat and glasses are removed and we move to darker brews - This is a Mexican Chilli Chocolate Stout from Ballastic Beer Co out of Brisbane, Ausralia.
It's pretty much as you would expect- it pours a Solid dark black colour with little carbonation. This The chilli is stubble rather than gimiicky or smacking you over the head - it builds over multiple sips leaving a warmth in the mouth. I'm sure it's not designed for easy sipping on hot evenings, but it worked anyway.
So that was another week in beer from me. You should check out all the beery stories in the beer community and if you have one, why not join the #beersaturday organised by
