Having launched in fine style with a hook up with Garrett Oliver from Brooklyn Brewery, The Local Taphouse is set to beam NZ's Champion Brewer into their St Kilda venue for their second Q & Ales. The concept sees them hold a live video link up to an overseas brewer during their Ale Stars sessions, allowing punters to talk to the person who brews the beers they're tasting even if they can't fly in to be there in person. This time around it's the turn of Sí¸ren Eriksen, founder of 8 Wired and also the brewer at Renaissance. This year he was named the Champion Brewer in New Zealand and, as the Taphouse hosts says: "expect unique brews, ingenuity in flavour and new world interpretations of classic styles." Ale Star Tsar Shandy will be guiding guests through several 8 Wired beers before Guy takes over the reins to host Q & Ales and a live videochat (via Skype) with Soren in New Zealand. Q & Ales will be filmed for Taphouse TV. Given it's the Christmas session, party hats will be in full force too. Tickets are $40 for beer and pizza and can be booked [here](http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=17567).