It’s nice to have something dependable to raise your spirits in such unpredictable times; mask-wearing heroes; bruising political satire; the Union Hotel tapping 30 dark beers over a weekend.
However, there’s a pesky asterisk looming over this year’s much-loved annual event, for two reasons. The first is that who knows what social restrictions will look like in the coming days. The second is that, unlike the unbridled free-for-all of past events (and, let’s be honest, most weekends down the Union), this time you need to make a booking.
But other than that it’s everything you know and love: the best lineup of stouts, porters, browns, blacks and any other dark or darkish beer they can get their hands on. There’ll be but a single keg of each beer, with half being tapped on the Friday, the rest on Saturday, and the best of what’s left on Sunday.
Each day will have three sessions of 100 people max, with the session times as follows:
- 12pm to 4:45pm
- 5pm to 7:45pm
- 8pm to Midnight
To get a spot you’ll need to book at the bar in the days ahead, or by phoning them on (02) 9557 2989.
Is that everything you need to know? Maybe just that they’ve promised to have more great dark stuff in cans and bottles – plus the odd pale ale and pilsner if you really, really, really can’t find anything to love in this list:
Friday, July 31
- Bad Shepherd – Sticky Date Stout Caramel Butterscotch Stout
- Big Shed – Golden Stout Time Dessert Stout
- Black Hops – Eggnog Dry Irish Stout
- Bridge Road – B2 Bomber Imperial Belgian Black IPA
- Garage Project – Louisiana Voodoo Queen Dark Ale
- KAIJU Beer – Cthulu on the Moon Black IPA
- Moo Brew – Dark Ale
- Mountain Culture – Baked Double Pastry Stout
- Sauce Brewing – Starward: Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
- Staves Brewery – Midnight Gospel Stout
- Stone & Wood – Stone Beer 2019 Barrel Aged Porter
- Stone & Wood – Stone Beer 2020 Porter
- Tallboy and Moose – Major Moose Brown Ale
- Wayward – Beelzebub Imperial Stout
- Yulli's – Fat Nerd Vanilla Porter (nitro)
Saturday, August 1
- Batch Brewing – Big Kahuna Coconut Brown Ale
- Batch Brewing – Huge Kahuna Imperial Coconut Brown Ale
- CoConspirators – The Pastry Chef Pastry Stout
- Dainton – Bounty Hunter Coconut Milk Choc Stout
- Deeds Brewing – The Second Horseman Imperial Stout
- FogHorn – Sligo Extra Stout
- Grifter – The Omen Oatmeal Stout (nitro)
- Hop Nation – Banana Pastry Stout
- Little Bang – May Contain Traces of Panther English Porter
- Mountain Culture – Double Red IPA
- One Drop – (special release tbc)
- New England Brewing – Pecan Coffee Stout
- Thirsty Crow – Vanilla Milk Stout
- White Bay Beer Co. – Common Ground Coffee Baltic Porter
- White Bay Beer Co. – Dolce Noir Imperial Chocolate & Lactose Stout
Now, best pick up the phone and make that booking...
