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Beer & Brewer Magazine
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Stella Draught Masters
I was fortunate enough to be a judge at the Stella Draught Masters this week. A competition designed to test the skills of bartenders, the Queensland leg of the tour was held at the Belgian Beer Cafe in Mary Street.
The competition was won by 21-year-old Rebekah Wappett who prepared, poured and served the four beers with great aplomb.
While the nine-step pouring ritual isn’t “ancient” as reported by some media, it does go a long way to enhancing the theatre involved in beer, more so than just slapping down a stubby on a coaster. It also shows a commitment to beer serving that is unfortunately lacking at too many venues, with many local beer bars and even breweries employing staff without a basic understanding of even the differences between ales and lagers. While this competition doesn’t ensure the staff know much about beers other than the InBev range used in the competition, at least while you’re in the Belgian Beer Cafe you will be served by staff fairly knowledgeable about the products they stock.
In fact, the level of knowledge and passion show by some of the staff was very impressive.
The Australian final takes place in Sydney on September 18 with the winner going to Belgium to compete in the World Draught Masters.
Pizza-flavoured beer
We all know that pizza goes really well with beer, but who would have thought that it would go really well IN beer?
A homebrewer in the United States has created a beer that includes the ingredients from his pizza recipe, including tomatoes, garlic, oregano and basil – and, at least on some accounts, it doesn’t taste too bad.
I have tried beers made with a wide variety of things, some gimmicks and some traditional recipes, with varied responses so I won’t dismiss it without trying it – but I’d definitely want to try it before being convinced.
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Beer Tastings
In honour of the Stella Draught Masters we tasted Stella Artois and a local interpretation of the pilsner style, Red Angus Pilsener.
Stella Artois
330 ml 5.2% abv
Available everywhere
This beer is cleverly referred to as Australia’s #1 international draught beer, a title that skirts around the fact that this beer is no longer imported but brewed in Australia by Fosters. Does it matter? Not really. Beer doesn’t travel well, particularly when pasteurised, and you’re more likely to enjoy Stella in better condition when brewed under licence than when it’s been on a dock and a boat for any number of months. Also, the quality control of the brewing process at Foster’s is undeniably good, so it will be a very well-made, if light tasting lager.
Stella is an easy drinking, light lager with a bit of malt flavour and hints of citrus. A good example of a broadly available Euro-lager that you can drink pretty much anywhere. One for slaking your thirst, though not necessarily one for the beer drinker seeking a flavour hit. With the light bottles, the same caution as for Peroni applies. Best bought in an unopened carton to avoid light affected bottles.
Red Angus
345ml 4.8% abv
A beer offering from the de Bortoli wine family in Griffith, Red Angus is made with five malts and three hops, I think that the Red Angus tends to stray from the pure pilsener style – especially using a portion of wheat malt – but is still a really well made, full-flavoured beer. Filtered but unpasteurised you will need to look after this beer to keep it in best condition, but is rewarding if you do so.
Brisbane drinkers who would like to know more will have the opportunity to meet the brewer with Neal Cameron in Brisbane to share a few beers soon. I will confirm dates, but he will be hosting a beer dinner at the Grand Central Hotel on September 10.
