Of all the jobs in the world, travelling around the breweries that call the Margaret River region home must be one of the more enjoyable. And that’s just what girl + beer Pia Poynton has been doing in recent weeks so that she can share with you the brewers' plans for the summer months. Her first piece covered Eagle Bay Brewing, Cowaramup and Colonial Brewery. This time around, it’s the turn of Bootleg, Moody Cow and Cheeky Monkey.
Bootleg Brewery was established in 1994 as the first brewpub in the Margaret River region. Their first beer was an English Bitter and now, 18 years down the track, the wheels are in motion to revive their original brew for a limited time only. Head Brewer Michael Brookes is teaming up with owner, Tom Reynolds, for what promises to be an exciting trip down Memory Lane that will introduce a new generation of craft beer lovers to the beer where it all began for Bootleg.
Summer will also see Michael and assistant brewer Ryan create a new seasonal release – Brambling Cross, featuring the English hop variety of the same name. They’re promising a beer “bursting with aromas of blackcurrant”, something Michael hopes to exaggerate with the infusion of blackcurrant tea during post fermentation. Don't expect a full on fruit invasion, however, he anticipates more of an ESB with a fruity twist. The Brambling Cross is set to launch during WA Beer Week in November.
In further limited release news, Michael and Ryan will be playing the role of mad scientists by experimenting with oak fermenting the core range of Bootleg beers. The Settlers Pale Ale has been selected first and whilst they aren't completely sure what to expect they are looking forward to the process. It will all kick off around Christmas; watch their Facebook page for updates and photos.
The newly released Bootleg Prinsep Cider, a 4.5% ABV crisp apple cider, has proved immensely popular at the brewery and will soon be available in 330ml bottles in time for summer. Look out for six-packs and cartons appearing in bottleshops soon. And, if you’re in the region, be sure to visit Michael and the guys during the Margaret River Gourmet Escape in November where they'll be offering samples of their beers and cider.
The latest brewery to call Margaret River home is Cheeky Monkey Brewery and Cidery where head brewer Jared Proudfoot is preparing for the venue’s first summer. It's been five months since they opened their doors and it's been nonstop for the brewer who's getting in more tanks to keep up with demand. For those wanting to take Cheeky Monkeys home, 330ml bottles are already available from the brewery and five litre take home kegs will be ready for summer.
For the next limited release beer Cheeky Monkey will be putting on their lederhosen with a malt driven 5.8 percent ABV Oktoberfest style beer. Keep an eye on the Cheeky Monkey website for details of an event during WA Beer Week and look out for them at the Gourmet Escape too.
Cheeky kegs ready for a good home
Further north in the beautiful Ferguson Valley, the team at Moody Cow Brewery is full steam ahead in its third year of operation. Owner and brewer Grant McClintock is in discussions with several Perth venues to pour Moody Cow beers; keep an eye on their website as more venues adopt yet another WA craft beer. Black Dog Pils and Pale Ale will be on tap at The Norfolk Hotel in Fremantle for WA Beer Week. And Moody Cow will also make an appearance at the annual Beaufort Street Festival in November, with both the brewer and the beers available for a chat and a taste respectively.
For those keen to take some of Grant’s beer home, Moody Cow's distinctively English ale style 500ml bottles are already available from the brewery and by December you’ll be able to purchase Gruntas Original Ale and Pale Ale in all three Condello bottleshops in and around the Bunbury area.
Look out for Pia’s third and final roundup from the region coming soon…
