On April 30, Beer & Brewer readers, local brewers and beer fans got together to celebrate Issue 24 of the magazine at the Earl of Leicester Hotel in Adelaide.

After enjoying a selection of 26 local and imported beers and ciders at the Welcome Drinks, dinner guests were treated to an amazing five course dinner with 11 beers and one cider – including two very limited imports in the Brooklyn (US) Anniversary Lager and the Fullers (UK) 2011 Vintage Ale.

Each beer and/or cider match was intensely discussed by the attendees as everyone decided on their favourites and shared their opinions. Each beer was introduced by the brewer or expert – including importers, company directors and sales managers – attending to represent the brand for the evening.

Special guest Michael Weldon spoke about the burgeoning art of beer and cider matching – something he has been working on in partnership with Coopers – while the award for the most entertaining speech went to Dr Tim who declared that beer “is a meal in a glass” and that young people are far better off drinking it than RTDs as beer is far better for their health. As expected this was greeted with delight by the crowd and he was given a huge cheer. Dr Tim also entertained guests by declaring that the days he didn’t have at least four beers stood out in his mind as they were so rare.

Plenty of prizes were given away on the night – including a Coopers Celebration Ale magnum worth $150 and Members reserve tickets to the AFL, generously donated by a guest who works for Channel Nine. Plenty of Beer & Brewer back issues and Breweries of Australia books were also snapped up by the crowd.

Many thanks to the Earl of Leicester owners and staff who made the evening a seamless and delicious affair. Cheers!

Head to our Facebook page to see more photos of the event.

WELCOME DRINKS BEER & CIDER LIST:

  1. ACME (USA) IPA
  2. Birbeck’s (SA) Four Brothers IPA 5% ABV
  3. Brewboys (SA) Maiden Ale
  4. Brewboys (SA) Ace of Spades
  5. Brooklyn (USA) Lager
  6. Coopers (SA) Pale Ale
  7. Coopers (SA) Lager
  8. Coopers (SA) Sparkling Ale
  9. Coopers (SA) Best Extra Stout
  10. Coopers (SA) Celebration Ale
  11. Coopers (SA) Mild Ale
  12. Dr Pilkington’s (SA) Miracle Cider 5% ABV
  13. Hills (SA) Apple Ginger Hybrid Cider
  14. Hills (SA) Pear Cider
  15. Hofbrau (Ger) Dunkel Dark Lager 5.5% ABV
  16. Fullers (UK) London Pride Ale 4.7% ABV
  17. Knappstein (SA) Reserve Lager
  18. North Coast (USA) Blue Star Wheat Beer
  19. Prancing Pony (SA) BLACK Ale
  20. Vinaceous (WA) Forbidden Fruit Pear Cider 6.5% ABV

DINNER PRESENTING BREWERS/EXPERTS:

  1. Dr Tim Cooper, Chief Brewer & Managing Director, Coopers Brewery (SA).
  2. Frank Samson, Head Brewer, Prancing Pony Brewery (SA).
  3. Denham D’Silva, Managing Director, Barossa Valley Brewing (SA).
  4. Brenton Quirini, Managing Director, Empire Liquor (Importers, SA).
  5. Tobias Kline, Cidermaker The Hills Cider Company (SA).
  6. Jeff Wright, Head Brewer, McLaren Vale Brewing Co. (SA).
  7. Jared Birbeck, Managing Director, Birbeck’s Brewing Co. (SA).
  8. Tony Jones, Technical Brewer, West End Brewery (SA).
  9. Karli Small, Technical Brewer, West End Brewery (SA).
  10. Dan Wright, MD & Head Brewer, Swell Brewing Co. (SA).
  11. Ryan Davidson, SA Sales Manager, Palais Imports (SA).


MENU with Beer & Cider pairings

5 courses, matched to 12 beers, presented by 11 breweries.

***Course 1***
Crispy skin pork belly with pulled pork wonton, seared scallop and saffron, apple puree
Beer match: Swell (SA) Wheat Belgian Wit 4.5% ABV.
Cider match: Hills (SA) Apple Cider 5.0% ABV.

***Course 2***
Confit duck leg risotto with fresh garden peas and sautéed pancetta
Beer matches: Birbeck’s (SA) The Captain Australian Mild Ale 2.9% ABV,
James Squire (NSW) The Chancer Golden Ale 4.5% ABV.

***Course 3***
Sticky BBQ beef rib with stout mash
Beer matches: Coopers (SA) Celebration Ale 5.2% ABV,
VALE (SA) / IPA 5.5% ABV.

***Course 4***
Individual espresso and dark chocolate tiramisu
Beer matches: Prancing Pony (SA) BLACK Ale 6.0% ABV,
Barossa (SA) Milk Stout 7.0% ABV.
BONUS beer match: Southwark (SA) Old Stout 7.4% ABV.

***Course 5***
Shared cheese platters
Beer matches: Brooklyn (USA) Silver Anniversary Lager 9% ABV,
Fuller’s (UK) Bottle Conditioned 2011 Vintage Ale 8.5% ABV.
BONUS beer match: Barossa (SA) Imperial IPA, 94 IBU 8% ABV.

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