June was a pretty epic month for beer releases at Murray's, what with their annual Dark Beer Month seeing them pour eight new or returning beers. Not to be outdone, July will see them pour eight beers of the American variety. And, being American, that means big and bold IPAs.
Beginning on July 2 (a conveniently early Fourth of July celebration) and running over the ensuing weeks leading to International IPA Day (yes, it's a thing) on August 9, the Port Stephens brewery will be re-releasing the, well, iconic Icon 2IPA, followed by the return of Thunderbolt – their hoppiest ever IPA – the Black Bear black IPA, a Blood Orange IPA, and four beers in the SMaSH series (Single Malt and Single Hop) which will showcase Equinox, Ella, Mosaic and Riwaka hop varieties.
The kitchen will be accompanying the beers with appropriately US-themed food; think an Elvis-inspired Fool’s Gold Burger filled with bacon, peanut butter and jelly, the Dirty Wagyu burger, and hot wings with blue cheese dipping sauce. Needless to say, the soundtrack will suit the food and brews too, with free concerts each weekend as follows:
- 3 July - Adam Gear plays rockabilly
- 10 July - Norm Bakker’s Elvis tribute show
- 17 July - Brien McVernon’s American rock concert
- 24 July - Nano playing Latin American songs
- 31 July - Jim Overend performs popular American tunes
There'll be brewery tours each day at 2:15pm and for those that want to enjoy a few brews without worrying about driving, there's a shuttle bus to and from Nelson Bay (Saturdays & Sundays). For more details and to book, phone 4982 6411 or visit the brewery website.
