Beer and Brewer Magazine

Chef extraordinaire Matt Kemp of Sydney's Restaurant Balzac takes a world tour for his most memorable 12 beers.

San Miguel

I was on holiday in Ibiza as a youngster and this was the first foreign beer I ever tasted - a very fond memory!

Corona

The beer I shared with my wife, Lela, 13 years ago when we met at Sydney's Criterion Hotel. Yes, there was a lemon wedge in the neck!

Fiji Bitter

The Fijian Islands are very relaxing and was where our first son, Thomas, was conceived.

Alhambra

A Spanish amber ale named after a Moorish castle in Granada, and it's very moreish in itself.

Stella Artois

Nothing works better with fish 'n' chips or malted mussels than Stella. A classic dinner accompaniment when I was growing up on Canvey Island off the coast of Essex.

Guinness

We make a Guinness ice cream at the restaurant to go with the hot chocolate fondant on our menu.

Lord Nelson Old Admiral

An amazing dark ale from the owners of the Lord Nelson hotel at The Rocks in Sydney.

James Squire Golden Ale

A mate and I recently had a quite sublime pint of this on tap, after a day spent whiskey tasting.

Negra Modelo

Mexico's darkest secret, a light winter brew beautifully enhanced with a touch of malt.

Little Creatures Pale Ale

This now-legendary ale was the first boutique beer introduced to Balzac's menu six years ago. I first tasted it on a trip to Fremantle, fell in love and we've have had it on the beer list ever since.

Pietra

A chestnut ale from Corsica, this is robust, nutty and deliciously malty, and it just might be the best thing to come out of Corsica since Asterix & Obelix.

Anything James Squire

Matthew Kemp and Chuck Hahn will be judging the James Squire Chef's Match from 6-31 August, in which 20 of Sydney's best chefs will go head-to-head to create the perfect pairing of food and beer for a cash prize of $2,500. See www.james-squire.com.au.

Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts)