The Local Taphouse Blog

Hi there St Kilda Filmfans!

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:10:00 +0000

On Tuesday, January 31st our popular short film night, FINAL CUT, presents it’s first screening of 2012. The organisers have created a superb collection of top-quality short films for your viewing pleasure, including their featured short, the powerful ‘Winds Of Change’, about the developer-driven demise of Smith Street, Collingwood. Read the latest St Kilda News to find out more.

The film is co-directed by Melbourne’s Henry Maas, singer with Bachelors From Prague and Fitzroy nightclub-owner, who will be along to introduce the film and take part in a Q&A afterwards. So be prepared for a lively debate about the way our inner-city suburbs are being f@$d-up by profit-driven developers, acquiescent architects and weak and/or corrupt politicians.

There are also two other Melbourne films on the menu, one of which was shot entirely on a tram (route 30), starring local stage, screen and TV personality, the outrageous Paul Capsis. Passenger from hell.

Check out the programme here

And our Facebook page here

The Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:27:00 +0000

Congrats to all the brewers who brewed the fantastic beers of 2011! With over 800 beers to choose from, this year we were definitely spoiled for choice!

Thanks to everyone who voted, we had thousands of hits on the poll, a great indicator of the growing strength of the Craft Beer market.

Thanks to Crafty Pint and Australian Brews News for their support of the poll. And an especially huge thanks to Andrew Mitchell (Ale Star #D26) for putting the poll together this year. Stay tuned for some interesting polling statistics...

US Beer Medley to feature at Feb Ale Stars in Darlo

noreply@blogger.com (Dom Borel) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:43:00 +0000

Hello Ale Stars and fans, as a teaser for our upcoming Star Spangled SpecTAPular on March 3rd (more info posted soon), we thought we'd have a US Medley at our next session in Darlo to whet your appetite.

Once again our Alestars 'Tzar' Doc will be taking you through a delicious journey divulging some fantastic information on the following brews:

Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA
Green Flash 'Le Freak' Belgium IPA
Moylans Old Blarney Barleywine
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

We know! Exciting stuff indeed!

As usual, tickets are a measly $35 which includes tasters and some tasty treats as well. Book here now as last time we were almost over booked!! Everyone is welcome..

Bridge Road Tap Makeover starting 8th Feb!

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:35:00 +0000

Come on down to sample the delights of 11 fantastic beers from the Victorian high country's Bridge Road Brewers all on tap at the same time!

All 11 beers (St Kilda) and all 9 beers (Darlo) will be tapped up and ready to go by midday Wednesday the 8th of February.

The lovely line-up is as follows:

Hefeweizen
Australian Ale
Beechworth Pale
Chestnut Pilsner
Celtic Red Ale
Robust Porter
Bling IPA
Chevalier Saison
Pride of Ringwood Single Hop IPA
India Saison - St Kilda only
Summer IPA - St Kilda only

See you there!

Last Day of Voting - Time is Ticking away! Which beers will take out the H100 of 2011??

noreply@blogger.com (Greenman) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:11:00 +0000

Less than 12 hours to go until voting closes!! If you haven't already, make sure you get your votes in before 11:30 tonight!!

We'll be announcing the winners tomorrow in stages. So make sure you keep an eye on this blog for all the winners as they are released. The top 10 will be announced concurrently with the top 10 Triple J songs with the top 3 all announced at the same time.

We'll be announcing them live at The Local at one of the bars where we'll ring the bell and reveal each of the top 10 in turn! Hope to see you here for some BBQ and Aussie Day celebrations!

Sensational Saisons kick off St Kilda Ale Stars for 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:31:00 +0000

The fantastic line-up of saisons couldn't have been more welcome on the balmy summers evening that was the first Ale Star session of 2012.

The session kicked off with La Sirene Brewing's 'La Sirene' presented in a beautiful 650ml bottle. At a modest and 'average' 6.5% (the lowest ABV of the evening), this saison delivered a truly fantastic start to proceedings.

The next two saisons were from the tap, 'Avec Les Bons Voeux' from Brassarie Dupont (Belgium) and the 'Le Merle' from North Coast Brewery Co (USA), and again both outstanding.

The last saison of the night was the 'Saison Sauvin' from New Zealand's 8 Wired Brewery and again was a beer that did not disappoint. Their new world interpretation of this style saw funky, earthy flavours followed by a kick from the Nelson Sauvin hops.

An overall great night with fantastic beers. Everyone's hard earned thirst was definitely quenched!

Click here to check out some more photos.

Darlo Ale Stars - Dom's End-of-Saison wrap

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:44:00 +0000

This is what I have come up with :

Tuesday Jan 10th saw to another fantastic Ale stars, the first of 2012.

It was a great turnout for our celebration of farmhouse ales which was hosted again by none other than our very own Guy Greenstone and Ale Star Tsar 'Doc'.

Keen guests had a treat sampling North Coast Le Merle, 8 Wired Sauvin Saison, Moo Brew Saison De Moo & Avec Le Bons Voeux whilst hearing some very interesting facts about them.

Our Trivia was certainly a hit with our Winners Lane sign hovering over the heads of the actual winner - very beery indeed!!

Here are all the photos (thanks to Andrew Mitchell).

It certainly was a great way to start Ale Stars for 2012. See you all at the next one on Feb 7th which will feature a medley of US beers. Booking info coming soon.

Over and out,

DOM

Draft beer list for the 2012 Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:46:00 +0000

This list will be updated as the 60 brewers send in their suggestions but, as of today, here's what brewers are planning for next year's Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular in May. ALL of these beers will be brand new and unique:

NEW ZEALAND

Barrel aged Scotch Ale (Renaissance, NZ) 7%
TBC (Emersons, NZ)
Taranaki Rose IPA (Mike's, NZ)
Chilli Stout (Invercargill, NZ)
"Tea-Leafed" IPA (Yeastie Boys, NZ) 6%
'Double Day of the Dead' Strong Black Lager (Garage Project, NZ) 8%
Smoked Manuka Ale (Mussel Inn, NZ) 5%
ANZUSPA (Croucher, NZ) 2.5%
Double Brown Ale with coffee (8 Wired, NZ) 8%
TBC (Epic, NZ)
S!mcoe Imperial IPA (Liberty, NZ) 10%
West Coast DIPA (Golden Bear, NZ) 6.5%
Double APA - TBC (Tuatara, NZ)
Chocolate Wheat Beer (Moa, NZ) 5.5%
'Zesty Wit' kiwi fruit infused Wit Bier (Harringtons, NZ)
English Pale Ale with 100% NZ ingredients (Townshend, NZ) 4%

AUSTRALIA

TBC (Stone & Wood, NSW)
TBC (James Squire, NSW)
White IPA (Doctors Orders) 7-7.5%
Beetroot Belgian Ale (4 Pines, NSW)
Red Pilzner (Pinchgut, NSW) 4.8-5%
Pine Needle Ale (St Peters, NSW) 4.6%
Porter (Little Brewing Co, NSW)
TBC (collaboration between Wig & Pen, ACT, and Murrays, NSW)
Dunkelweiss (Burleigh, QLD) 5%
Special Bitter (Cowaramup, WA) 4.6%
Smoked IPA (Mash, WA)
American Oatmeal Stout (Nail, WA)
TBC (Little Creatures, WA)
American Black IPA (Bootleg, WA) 5.8%
"Mad Angus" Wee Heavy (Blackwood Valley, WA) 6.5%
Oak aged India Black Ale (Feral, WA) 5.8%
Sweet Potato Porter (The Monk, WA)
Wooded barley wine (2 Brothers, VIC) 10.5%
Farmhouse/Saison TBC (Mountain Goat, VIC)
Imperial Pilsner (Bridge Road, VIC)
Belgian Raspberry and Karakaberry Ale (Kooinda, VIC) 5.7%
Farmhouse Ale (Hickinbotham, VIC)
Schwarzbier (Thunder Road Brewing, VIC)
Grisette Ale (Hargreaves Hill, VIC) 4%
TBC (Matilda Bay, VIC)
Aotearoa S.M.A.S.H California Common (Boatrocker, VIC) 5%
Smoked Weisse Bier (Temple, VIC)
Coconut Porter (True South, VIC) 5-6%
India Red Ale (Bright, VIC)
Sticke Alt (Red Hill, VIC)
'ChainSAW' Stella Australian Wheat Beer (Otway, VIC) 4.7 %
Australian Brown Ale (Barry Cranston - Australian Homebrewer 2011 - brewed at Bridge Road, VIC)
Unfiltered Belgian Blonde (Holgate, VIC) 6%
Imperial American Amber Ale (Mornington Peninsula, VIC) 8-9%
Wild/Sour Ale (Moondog, VIC) 5-8%
Double Dubbel English IPA (Lobethal/Steam Exchange, SA)
Foreign Extra Stout (McLaren Vale, SA) 5.5%
Cherry Honey Wheat Ale (Seven Sheds, TAS) 5%

* ABVs are approx at this stage.

Online Payment Issues - Now resolved

noreply@blogger.com (The Local Taphouse) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:53:00 +0000

Apologies to anyone who has been trying to book for Ale Stars, Ballarat Beer Festival, or any of our other events.

Trybooking - our online ticketing website - was down. Its now back up and can take bookings again

Cheers,

The Local Crew

NYE 2011 in St Kilda ... Miami Vice style!

noreply@blogger.com (The Local Taphouse) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:19:00 +0000

Its taken a while to get over the festive period and get the photos together but we've made it!

New Years Eve in St Kilda was, as per usual, a big one. Starting with a 5 course beer and food matched experience and moving on to a dance floor full of Miami Vice themed party goers, and of course followed by a little staff soiree after closing, 2012 was welcomed in style.

Thanks to Ange and Becky for another amazing decorations effort. And to Rich for his farewell beer and food dinner.

Click here to check out the slideshow.

HH Russian Imperial Stout infused with chocolate and served with RIS jelly!!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:24:00 +0000

Hargreaves Hill's Russian Imperial Stout is currently on tap in Darlo and we're running it through the Funky Brewster which is filled with São Tomé 70% cocoa single origin chocolate.

Better still, one of our Locals, Natalia, has made some jelly from the RIS and we're giving a piece with each glass of beer.

Having just sampled both, one word.. AMAZING!

2011 Hottest 100 - Back by popular demand!

noreply@blogger.com (Greenman) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:51:00 +0000

“The annual Local Taphouse Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers poll is growing to be the largest and most influential people’s choice poll in the land” - Australian Brews News (Jan 2010)

The Local Taphouses in Sydney and Melbourne have run a Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Brews' poll for the past three years with the results always causing much debate.

Polling is now open to lovers of craft beer across the country to vote for their favourite beers of 2011.

We're not necessarily looking for the #1 SELLING craft beer nationwide. Rather, what are the FAVOURITE craft beers people have tasted this year? For the purposes of this fun poll, the beer must have been brewed in 2011 in Australia by anyone other than 'macro-brewers' main operations. The beer must have been commercially for sale (even if it's just at the cellar door) in kegs or bottles. Voting for the 'Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Brews' poll closes at 11:30pm on 25th Jan and we ask that people only vote once. The final 100 beers (listed from #100 to #1) will be announced on our website (and Crafty Pint and ABN) on Australia Day.

Thnaks to Andrew Mitchell (Ale Star #D26) who developed this year's poll which is hosted by Pretty Clever Consulting.

Beerista 101 with Ange tomorrow (Tues) in St Kilda!

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:03:00 +0000

Join Ange for the first Beerista 101 session of 2012 tomorrow at 7pm.

Come down and sample 5 of the finest craft beers while learning about the diversity of beer followed with a glass of your favourite. All for just $15! Simply pay on arrival and enjoy good beer with good company.

The first ad for GABS 2012 - check!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:16:00 +0000

We're very excited with the pace at which planning for the Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular is moving!

While we'll be attending the Ballarat Beer Fest in a couple of weekends, we have placed an ad in their official guide for GABS too (see above). It's the first step in what will be a significant promotional campaign!

We will also be shortly putting the call out for volunteers to help out at one (or more) of the GABS sessions. This promises to be a lot of fun for all involved and will come with some great perks..

Tickets for GABS will be on sale to the general public in February. All GABS-related info will be posted on our blog so keep an eye out.

Please note that the website is not currently live but will be in due course.

A Farmhouse celebration at St Kilda Ale Stars Jan 17

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 23:26:00 +0000

Happy New Year everyone and hello 2012!

On the many exciting things planned for the year is our first St Kilda Ale Stars session of 2012 where we will be looking at farmhouse style ales. The line-up is:

Northcoast Le Merle
8 Wired Sauvin Saison
Moo Brew Saison De Moo
and Avec Les Bon Voeux

Come along and taste these fantastic beers with Ale Star Tsar Shandy in St Kilda on Tuesday 17th January.

Tickets are $40 which include beer and food. Everybody is welcome and you can book here.

The Local Taphouse's "Favourite Aussie Craft Beers of 2011"

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:53:00 +0000

The Local Taphouses we have decided to create a list of our 20 Favourite Aussie Craft Beers of 2011. As opposed to our previous years' Hottest 100 People’s Choice list where more than a thousand beer lovers around Australia voted, our new list will be compiled solely based on votes from all staff across both Taphouses and The Local BottleStore and Provisions.

Much discussion goes on throughout the year as to the merits of each beer. Some beers spark interest because they are brand new or cutting edge, others are trusty favourites, offering the comfort of an old pair of jeans. Each is enjoyed with a critical eye that comes from being surrounded by excellent beers, all day, every day. Our staff are the kids in the candy store of beers, and this list will be their bag of favourite mixed lollies.

Each staff member has the list of 216 Aussie beers tapped last year and they are currently rating their 5 favourite beers.

We hope The Local Taphouse's "Favourite Aussie Craft Beers" list becomes an annual tradition and we will announce the top twenty on Australia Day.

Are you a passionate boodie or feerdie (beer/foodie)?! Want to manage the second phase of the BottleStore & Provisions? Apply now!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:07:00 +0000

The Local BottleStore & Provisions' manager, James Smith, is heading back to university to complete his studies (which were interrupted when he began working at The Local Taphouse almost four years ago!). Fortunately for us, James will still be involved on a casual basis with beery stuff across all the businesses and GABS.

So we're now looking for a new full-time Store manager!

What's make this especially exciting is that the successful candidate will be joining at a very exciting time as we proceed with the planned second stage of the Store's development.

Over the next few months, we will be significantly increasing the "provisions" element of the Store. We will still provide all the great things we offer now but we will be ramping up the gourmet food store/providore side so it becomes a more complete eating and drinking destination in the neighbourhood.

The Taphouse's new Head Chef, Jeff Simpson (ex Sapore, Richmond Hill & Larder) is joining us in a couple of weeks and will be working to create many delectable delights to complement all the other new foodie items we will be cramming the shelves with.

We will also be extending our already impressive bottled beer and cider range AND increasing the number of growler/squealer taps over time.

But wait, there's more! Subject to permits and licensing applications being finalised, customers will soon be able to drink any bottle of any beer/wine/cider on the shelf or fridge and enjoy something to eat while seated in the Store.

To find out more about the plans and what the job of Store Manager entails, click here. To apply, email your resume to jobs@thelocal.com.au.

Do you have a passionate friend who loves great food and drink and would love this role? If so, please help us spread the word!

Above: The ad to appear in Epicure next week.

Red Hill Brewery Makeover starts this coming Tuesday in St Kilda

noreply@blogger.com (Benno) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:06:00 +0000

From 12pm on Tuesday the 10th multiple award winning brewery Red Hill will be giving the Taphouse a makeover with several of their beers - all on tap at the same time!

The lineup is as follows,

• Belgian Abbey Ale
• Weizenbock
• Temption
• Golden Ale
• Scotch Ale
• Wheat Beer
• Bohemian Pilsner

As usual with Makeovers some beers can run out promptly so pencil it in or risk missing out.

Sadly, we could only get 2 kegs of each beer from the brewery so the Makeover can only happen in St Kilda. We will coax the guys and gals at Red Hill for a future Makeover in Darlo though!

A Farmhouse celebration to remember in Darlo

noreply@blogger.com (Leroy) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:57:00 +0000

Happy New Year 2012!

The exciting 2012 calendar of events starts out with our first Ale Stars session of the year where we will be looking at farmhouse ales.

The line-up is:

Northcoast Le Merle
8 Wired Sauvin Saison
Moo Brew Saison De Moo
and Avec Les Bon Voeux

Come along and taste these fantastic beers with Ale Star Tsar "The Doc" in Darlinghurst on Tuesday 10th January.

Tickets are $35 which include beer and food. Everybody is welcome and you can book here

Anyone for a function or indoor bocce in St Kilda?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:18:00 +0000

The extension next door is progressing well with the timber wall panelling underway downstairs and the lights for the bocce court now hung.

We also took delivery yesterday of the massive green barn door which will be used to separate the bocce room from the main downstairs bar when necessary.

We'll let you know when we're accepting function enquiries!

New Years Eve 5 Course Beer & Food Matching Dinner in St Kilda!

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:15:00 +0000

Kick off New Year’s Eve with a delicious 5 course feast for just $60 per person including 5 expertly matched beers.

Booking's available from 6pm. Get in quick as there are limited spaces. Book here

Once you have had your fill, come on through to the bar and dance the night away Miami Vice style.

Darlo trading hours for the festive season...

noreply@blogger.com (Leroy) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:28:00 +0000

Our holiday trading hours this year will be

Christmas Day :: Closed
Boxing Day :: Open from 11am
(Boxing Day Test shown on the big screen with sound)
New Years Eve :: 12pm - 8pm
New Years Day :: 12pm till late

every other day, open as usual!

From all of us here at The Local Taphouse we wish everyone a Merry Christmas, a safe holiday and a bang up New Year!

Cheers and beers,

The Local Darlo Crew

Join us on a road trip to the Ballarat Beer Festival (Jan 21)

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 03:02:00 +0000

Join us for our first road trip of 2012 when we head upcountry on Saturday Jan 21st to the Ballarat Beer Festival, a one-day event celebrating boutique beer, gourmet food and world-class entertainment.

Taste some local & international cuisine, enjoy a great craft beer and the fantastic music line-up, all in a picturesque country environment!

The gorgeous, delightful and supremely talented Clare Bowditch will headline. Joining Clare, fresh from their celebrated Glastonbury gig are Stonefield and, having just finished his second album Jordie Lane.

Tickets are just $90 ($80 for Ale Star members) and these include return coach travel, festival entry, official tasting glass & 5 tasting tokens.

The coach will depart The Local Taphouse in St Kilda at exactly midday. We will leave the festival at 8pm and return to the Taphouse around 9.30pm.

This deal is being offered to everyone (not just Taphouse regulars) so we suggest you book your ticket early to avoid missing out.

St Kilda trading hours for the festive season

noreply@blogger.com (The Local Taphouse) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 06:15:00 +0000

Just a quick note to let you know we're open for business as usual every day except Christmas Day over the festive season

From all of us here at The Local Taphouse we wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

Cheers and beers,

The Local Crew

Ale Star session in St Kilda featuring Q & Ales with 8 Wired's Soren Eriksen

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:53:00 +0000

Last Tuesday for our Christmas Ale Star session, we held our second Q & Ales - this time with Soren Eriksen, the man behind 8 Wired Brewing Co in New Zealand.

The beers were, as expected, absolutely awesome. The Sultan - a little 10% Belgian Quadruple - had not been on tap on these shores before and it went down a treat as did the Tall Poppy (Imperial Red Ale), Hopwired (IPA) and the Black Dwarf (Stout).

After flying through these tasters it was time to introduce our special guest for the Q & Ales, hosted by Guy. Soren answered questions and filled us on about what life is like as a rock star brewer and sometime poker champion. While we were chatting, we enjoy the tasting of the biggest baddest beer in the 8 Wired range, the iStout. Yum.

A huge thanks to Soren for taking the time out of his hectic schedule to speak to us. Also a massive thanks to Shandy for another year of Ale Star Tsarring.

From all of us here at The Local Taphouse we wish all of our Ale Star a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

See you in 2012.

Click here for the slideshow.