Summer’s here……..isn’t it?

A few things have conspired against me of late which have threatened my usual enjoyment of January. Firstly, one which affects all of us, La Nina, bringing rain and more rain. Secondly I have no summer holiday planned this year as this is a very busy time of year for any Malt Shovel Brewer, made busier by the loss of a couple of brewers who have chosen to take some leave. Thirdly I had an unfortunate car accident a few weeks ago which has left me carless but fortunately, physically fine. As they say, when life throws you a lemon, make lemonade, so I’m strangely enjoying riding my bike around town, and enjoying both crafting and sampling our great beers. To be able to put my sweat and effort into crafting beers that I’m proud of is a luxury that I’m very much appreciating at the moment.

Speaking of looking around town, a look through a craft beer fridge in a bottle shop these days can be quite overwhelming as I noticed recently at Camperdown Cellars, the nearest bottle shop to the brewery. Not only local craft beers pack the display fridges, but also imports. There are countless brands and products with creative labels all looking to appeal to me! Exploring new products is a treat but it’s funny how you always return to a classic, if you did particularly like it. I have found that over the years with James Squire Pilsener. This authentic Pilsener is a previous World Beer Cup winner in the Pilsener category, and in my opinion nothing has changed. The full bodied malty flavour and generous Saaz hop content continue to make this beer an absolute classic. In summer, I love nothing more than a womp in the ocean in the late afternoon, followed by a cold James Squire Pilsener, which is a great appetiser, and accompaniment to a seafood meal, even a spicy one at that. James Squire Pilsener oozes authenticity and character, with perfect balance, and will always be a beer I return to sample even whilst exploring the wider world of beers.

So for the month of January, a beach holiday beckons but is not to be, although there’s plenty to look forward to. It’s festival time in Sydney, a chance to enjoy extended daylight hours and absorb the entertainment of the world’s artistic talents. The touring Indian cricket team will make life hard for the Australian cricket team, the work experience “kid” is having a ball at the brewery, and we continue to experiment and innovate producing mini brews on our pilot brew kit. A Mad Brewers summer release is looming and there will be more limited releases on the horizon.