Beer Nuts: Leith Booker

June 28, 2017, by Crafty Pint

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Beer Nuts: Leith Booker


Beer Nuts is an occasional feature we run that shines a spotlight on people who take their passion for good beer to the extreme – and sometimes beyond. Here, we step inside the beer cave of Leith Booker.

The 36-year-old expat Kiwi has managed to well and truly ensconce himself in the local beer scene in recent years. He's worked at crafty bottleshops and also kicked off his own business specialising in photography for the craft beer industry.

He shares a home in Melbourne's northern suburbs with his partner and multiple beer shrines, including a well stocked and heavily decorated beer cave, and is the sort to rock up at the most extreme and extravagant of beer events. Certainly, he's a more than worthy entrant into the Beer Nuts hall of fame.


LEITH BOOKER

Are you nerd, geek, aficionado, snob, wanker or something else? 

I'm a Beer Lover.


How long have you been afflicted? 

Since around 2008.


What started you on the slippery slope to craft beer obsession? 

I had just moved to Kensington and the proprietor of the local cleanskin wine shop had a rotating selection of "Microbrewery" beers. He was kind enough to give me a nice discount on mixed six-packs, so I started buying a mixed six every week. 

Then my parents came to visit and bought me a Coopers homebrew kit. I never did use the Cooper Lager can that came with the kit!


Do you document your consumption? If so, how?

I've never really got into using Untappd. I've literally tried thousands of beers, so I probably should, but I have an almost photographic memory when it comes to beer. I do keep receipts of my purchases to claim back at tax time... 

Let's just say, I spend a lot on beer!


Which beers have most blown your mind?

A stand out would be Jester King 2015 Estival Dichotomous and Epic Hop Zombie is an old favourite from the homeland.

Jester King beers, including a couple of Dichotomous releases, from a past Good Beer Week event.

And which have been the worst? 

I drank some shockers in my late teens back in NZ. Back then beer was dirt cheap. You could get a dozen bottom of the barrel beers for around $10. 

The worst of the worst was Ranfurly Draught. Even then, that stuff was barely drinkable to my palate.


How many beer t-shirts do you own? 

A lot! My lovely suppliers give me free t-shirts, so I'm a walking billboard. 

I've only t-shirt I've ever bought was The Crafty Pint's Craft Beer is Love t-shirt. Sadly it now has a little hole in it... 

[Given we've still not got around to setting up the Merch page on the site, we may be able to help you out here, Leith...]


How many different types of dedicated beer glassware do you own?

More than I should... In the Spiegelau range alone, I have the Stout, IPA and the American Wheat. I won't go on to the rest...


Is any part of your home or workplace a shrine to beer?

There's a few shrines in my home: 

My garage/mancave, which is dedicated to brewing, has a bar and a very large collection of craft beer posters, stickers, fridge magnets, bar mats and coasters.

My office/studio is a dedicated space for sampling and photographing the holy beverage.


How many unique beers do you reckon you’ve consumed?

I reckon I've been trying five to eight new beers per week for the last three years, so I could be well over the 2,000 mark.


How much money do you spend in an average month on beer and related products (not including kebabs)? 

Probably only about $500, because I don't drink out much, I get a lot of free samples and I get a friendly staff discount.


What is your dream beer?

Hoppy, dark, strong and soured...

The world needs more soured dark beers!


Thanks, Leith! Readers can check out past Beer Nuts here.

If you know a potential future Beer Nut – or are one yourself – drop us a line!

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