In, ooh, approximately 13 hours and 34 minutes from the posting of this update, voting for the 2010 Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers will close, leaving the staff at The Local Taphouse with the joyous task of working through the mountain of votes to discover whether Little Creatures Pale Ale can make it three from three or whether someone will sneak up to take its crown. Will Stone & Wood’s Draught / Pacific Ale make inroads at the top? And where will popular one-offs like Bridge Road’s B2 Bomber and Murray’s Spartacus appear?
Before we sign off, it only seems appropriate to ask Steve and Guy, the co-owners of the Taphouses, which beers did if for them in 2010. After all, the poll was their idea and they must have tasted as many beers in the year as anyone in Australia.
Steve Jeffares
Burleigh Brewing Black Giraffe
Feral Dark Funk
Murrays Grand Cru
Steam Exchange Truffles Porter
Stone & Wood Draught/Pacific Ale
Guy Greenstone
Stouts (including big stouts: Russians; imperials; Baltics etc.) – Murray’s Heart of Darkness
“My favourite style. It nudged out Feral Boris, Red Hill Imperial Stout, Moo Brew Imperial Stout and Ace of Spades. Dangerously drinkable and a perilously brilliant beer.”
Porters – Steam Exchange Truffles Porter
“I love this style. It’s my ‘go to’ style when I’m not sure what to have. Very tough to pick a favourite here with so many great examples available: Bridge Road Robust Porter; Murray’s Dark Knight; Holgate Choc Temptress.”
Pale Ales and IPAs – Barrel-fermented Hop Hog
“Another awesome group of styles. So many amazing beers to choose from and far too many to list all the great ones. The only one I’d mention as a pearler is the Hargreaves Hill ESB. Every time I see it on the taps I can’t help starting there and going back there over and over again. But in this group, I’d have to say the barrel fermented and oak aged Feral Hop Hog. An amazing beer with complexity and depth.”
Lagers – Mountain Goat Imperial Pilsner
“I find them generally a bit one dimensional and safe. However, they’re just such a great summer and daytime beer that they do end up occupying a significant ‘share of throat’ for me. They’re also very difficult to make well! While the Knappstein is a sensational lager, my pick of the bunch this year has to be the Mountain Goat Imperial Pilsner. Still a lager but it’s got some balls.”
Other – Bridge Road Biere De Garde
“My last pick comes from a range of ‘different style’ beers that we’re starting to see more and more of. While the Feral Funky Junky is a new addition and a cracking beer, I have to choose the Bridge Road Bier de Garde which is just a fantastic drop. I think it’s great that we’re seeing more these styles of beer on the market.”
If you’ve still to vote, there’s still time. Head here before midnight to be in with a chance of winning a slab of each of the top five beers (see terms and conditions). The results will be announced on Australia Day. You’ll then be able to taste new beers from many of those featured at The Local Taphouse’s Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular on February 12.
