By Rob ‘Freshy’ Freshwater, Senior Brewer Craft

The James Squire sales team had its quarterly get-together on the 18th/19th November in Adelaide. After an intensive day of navel gazing, the second day was a ‘magical mystery tour’ of activities organised by the local James Squire Craft Beer Specialist Michael (‘Jacko’) Jackson.

First up was a tour of Joe White’s Adelaide Malt house. We were taken right through the process of how malt is made from barley: barley receipt and cleaning, steeping the grain, germination and kilning. These maltsters have been in the business for 150+ years so certainly know what their doing; all very informative and much appreciated by all. Our thanks to Damian from Joe White’s for his & his company’s generous hospitality.

Checking out the hop-infuser

After a coffee break at the Adelaide Regency TAFE and a quick perusal of its mini brewery, our next stop was to the Brew Boys (Stephen and Simon). Of course we had to do some quality control assessment on their fine ales. Of particular interest was their hop-infuser: basically a cylinder of hop flowers through which their pale ale was purged on the way into the glass - now that’s what I call late hopping!!

Lunch followed at the Wellington Hotel - very enjoyable. . What to do after that? - well more QC analysis of course - The Worldsend Hotel, The Cumberland Arms, The..,…,… What else can one do on a 43 C day!

Thanks again Jacko, your hospitality proved to be second to none.