Thus Let Us Drink Beer

Alice Springs Brewing Co.

If you harbour a remote interest in this series, you’d be aware that most of the Australian breweries we have covered are based on the East Coast of Australia, with urban centres like Sydney and Melbourne being particular hotbeds.

All the more enticed was my beer loving palate when I learned about a brewery channelling its alchemy in the hot desert climate of a town that is situated roughly in the very centre of the expansive continent that is terra australis.

Equidistant from Darwin and Adelaide at the gateway to the red centre and surrounded by awe-inspiring national parks, Alice Springs Brewing Co. has ambitiously overcome countless logistical hurdles ranging from the town’s water quality, restrictive freight and transport rates and particular local liquor licensing requirements, before incarnating in 2018 with its first frothy emissions. 

Needless to say, given the climate and context of its location, the focus of Alice Springs Brewing Co’s portfolio is firmly set on sessionable, lower ABV brews that lend themselves well to be drunk in the desert like circumstances. I was all the more excited to discover that recently, two limited IPA expressions have made an appearance in the line-up.

Adorned with idiosyncratic colourful branding that signifies a tongue-in-cheek nod to a scene from Crocodile Dundee courtesy of Jessie Jungalwalla of Craft Instinct and aptly named That’s Not A Knife, the twinset of India Pale Ales is based on a melange of Enigma, Vic Secret and Galaxy hops.

Light copper in appearance, the regular variant of the That’s Not A Knife IPA is an example par excellence for a well-calibrated brew with hop heavy, resinous highlights, which are counterpointed by spiky, herbal nuances dancing against a backdrop of a malty bitterness. 

While the basic version won me over instantenously, things were elevated to yet a new level with the IIPA variant: 
Clocking in at an ABV of 8.5%, this little amber hued number embodies everything that I love about IPAs in that the piney hoppiness is framed by tangy, citric notes, which serve to further pronounce the crescendo of malt biscuity and pineapple flavours accentuating crisp hints of white grape, tart redcurrant and sweet rockmelon.

Plain wonderful.

I can only hope that Alice Springs Brewing Co. considers to make the aforementioned IPA a permanent fixture of its portfolio and that it will become widely available.

Urban Alley

With its focus set on the sustainable production of its beers starting with the ability to treat water onsite and being an early adaptor of using six-pack holder rings made of recycled and compostable materials, Urban Alley Brewery’s operations are centred around a green focus.

Having been established five years ago in the District Docklands of Melbourne, backed by the founder duo’s long-standing history in the hospitality industry and having never heard anything other than good things about its crafty, frothy emissions that make up its accolade decorated core range, which has become known for being a veritable pathway to lure the masses from mainstream to craft beer, I have been aching to get my paws on Urban Alley Brewery’s much fabled about limited releases, specifically in the IPA department.

If you happen to remotely follow this series, it should not come as a surprise that I am partial to a well calibrated boilermaker. 

With a dram of Laphroaig Quarter Cask poured, my choice of the evening was Urban Alley’s El Dorado Sour IPA.

Clocking in at 6% ABV, this little yellow tinged number knows to convince on the intense flavour end, bringing forth bright tropical, citrussy fruit flavours and distinct aromas of tangerine, pear, watermelon, and stone fruitiness, which are artfully counterbalanced by great bittering qualities that are rounded out by piney nuances.

The unique species of Lachancea that is Philly Sour, i.e. a pure strain of active dried yeast, adds a welcome refreshing acidity level, which makes the Islay dram sing even more. 

A delicious, juicy and hoppy tour de force.

Next up was the more traditional Lightning Bolt Aussie IPA, which as the name suggests, is based on a melange of all-Australian hops. 
With Eclipse hops imparting fruit forward flavours of sweet mandarin, zesty citrus peel and fresh pine needles, a medium bitterness and resinous highlights courtesy of Vic Secret hops dance against a backdrop of mango, thyme, which make it an electrifyingly, dangerously sessionable go-to sipper.

With Urban Alley Brewery’s attention to details, which does not stop at the creation of their beers but extends to their subtle merch range, I cannot wait for them to channel their alchemy in the creation of a DIPA. 

Ed Sheeran
Accor Stadium
Sydney, Australia
24 February 2023

While after the British singer-songwriter’s steady ascent into the orbit of stardom and him being ubiquitous in global pop culture, I have to admit that I was not overly familiar with Ed Sheeran’s musical oeuvre, which I was eager to rectify - so what better way to see what the seemingly innocuous pop star has to offer than witnessing the acoustic guitar touting Irishman channel his alchemy in a live environment.

From the get go it appeared obvious that Sheeran has astutely studied the greats, based on which he has created his own idiosyncratic, unconventional, clever modern melange by effortlessly blurring the boundaries of pop genres, including but not limited to hip hop and classic rock.

Paired with his unique vocal delivery and his honed story telling abilities, it made his show a classic-sounding, familiar, and welcoming affair that resonated immensely well with an audience of over 80,000 that proved to be enthused by every move of him.
Performing live as part of his “Mathematics” tour on a rotating 360-degree stage in the centre of the stadium, flanked by the constituents of his band situated on outer segment extensions of the stage, Sheeran’s laid-back, down-to-earth, approachable charisma translates well and is carried by an intentional, unpolished edge.

Fireworks, projections, pyrotechnics and other visual aids elevated the show while Sheeran was busy creating his multi-layered songs and harmonies from scratch with his looping station, including at times irritatingly rumbling bass parts, and kept the sold out crowd engaged throughout a joyful and immersive set that appeared to establish a sincere connection with the audience. 

While firmly placed in the spotlight, backed by a full band the performance added a welcome and enjoyable dimension of heft to Sheeran’s catalogue of songs and a well-calibrated performance, which was disarmingly delivered with fervour and gusto. 

The Rocky Horror Show
Theatre Royal
Sydney, Australia
18 February 2023

Celebrating the fifth decade of its existence, what is one of the more iconic and unique musicals, i.e. The Rocky Horror Show, has descended on terra australis with a reinvigorated incarnation featuring ex-Neighbours star and ex-duet partner of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan as Frank N Furter, and Myf Warhurst as The Narrator along with an illustrious cast that is rounded out by a stellar line-up of Australian and international musical stalwarts.

Coinciding with the commencement of Sydney’s World Pride celebrations, there could have not been a better context for what has been continuously holding a unique place in theatre history with a highly mischievous and immersive show, which has defied the decades, steadfastly stood the test of time and only grown in popularity. 

Needless to say, the premiere proved to be a highly enjoyable affair with the timeless hits being banged out and delivered on point, the characters revelling in their outrageous outfits and the frivolous freedom translating to the audience.

Resulting in a tangible cheeky sense of empowerment through what is portrayed on stage, the Rocky Horror Show appears to resonate and impact so much more on a broader scale in the current day and age.

With parts of the audience dressed up and the enthusiastic reception the performance received, it is not further wondrous that it has become one of the classics of musical theatre and doubtlessly proved to be a catalyst for numerous sexual awakenings, thereby inhabiting a special place in the vita of audiences.

A wonderful, enjoyable nostalgic party affair that celebrates difference, continues to change lives and comes embedded within a rocking set of hits, which is bound to thrill both the initiated as well as first timers. 

Thus Let Us Drink Beer

Palling Bros

While the region where Palling Bros’ HQ is located might be held in high esteem both nationally as well as on international terrain as the source for the formidable Shiraz the local wineries produce, by channelling the local ambience and heritage via the creation of quality craft brews, Palling Bros has established itself firmly on the firmament of Victorian breweries.

What was incepted four years ago at a small scale inspired spiritually on one hand by the Heathcote migrant and larrikin Henry Rood Palling, whose mug is gracing the brewery’s logo, and by Melbourne -based Stomping Ground brewery on the other, has evolved to a distinct entity of its own with an extensive portfolio of diverse artisanal brews, ranging from classic lagers via experimental sours, stouts and porters to my favourite style, i.e. India Pale Ales, which cater to the palates of beer aficionados that like to be challenged.

My first exposure to Palling Bros was via their core IPA expression. Approachable in nature with a well-balanced citrussy and tropical backbone, this little number proves to be a truly sessionable go-to with its refined bitterness.

A favourite of the Palling Bros line-up is the Liquid Amber Ale: Amarilla and Simcoe hops dance against a backdrop of a malty sweetness, which transforms into moderate caramel flavours further on. The combination of malt-caramel nuances and the pronounced hop character lingers and reverberates after each sip. The perfect companion for a dram of Octomore 13.3.

An interesting variety is the tropical hop bomb that is the One Feel Scoop Oat Ice Cream IPA expression: As the name suggests, lactose meets oats which results in a sweet and creamy brew that culminates in a smooth vanilla crescendo. 
When it comes to nailing traditional old world beer style, Palling Bros’ Frau Helga Vienna Lager is a creamy example par excellence for a toasty, caramelly flavoured and balanced brew with slight bitterness and a crisp finish.

Too bad that I missed out on Palling Bros’ Double IPA expressions this time around, so looking forward to future releases.

Sobremesa Fermentary & Blendery

Inspired by the vineyards his home country New Zealand is dotted with in the Marlborough region and honing his craft via engagements with wineries around the globe, Sobremesa’s head brewer and blender Casey Grieve eventually settled down with his better half Hannah McErlane to establish their own idiosyncratic operation, i.e. what has become liked and known as Melbourne’s Sobremesa Fermentary & Blendery.

Roughly translating to “the habit of relaxing at the table after a heavy meal”, Sobremesa comfortably inhabits a niche, which draws heavily from the contexts in which drinking and dining is celebrated in the old world. With their core portfolio centred around the creation of farmhouse style beers, with the foci firmly set on saisons, mixed fermentation and blending. 

With each release being carefully crafted and aged in expertly chosen barrels and brought to life by tapping into the qualities different yeast strains imbue, released in small batches and utmost attention being paid to transparent in terms of meticulously highlighting what malts have been used or which other ingredients have been added, my first exposure to Sobremesa’s creations was via their first commercial release Daily Brett.

With the label adorned by an artistic design, I instantaneously liked the fact that Sobremesa seem to be operating at the subtle end of the spectrum, especially when it comes to their competitors whose farmhouse emissions are more often than not overshadowed by a pronounced sourness.

Daily Brett is a barrel-fermented saison with zesty, lemony highlights dancing against a backdrop of stone-fruits, silage and earthy-minty, slightly woodsy toned-down rosemary.

Dumpster Diving is Sobremesa Beer’s dry hopped, harmonious blend of young and old beer that bridges the gap between kettle sours and mature-aged wild ales with a delightful lemon-zesty backdrop. Clocking in at 5.7% and with a pronounced tartness, this little number is a an example par excellence for an aged, vibrant ale.

Sobremesa’s fruit forward The Fuzzy Feeling expression rounds things out with a subtle bitterness that is framed by nuances reminiscent of stewed apricots, acidic highlights and an underlying muskiness.

Given the quality of Sobremesa’s brews and blends, I look forward to them channelling their alchemy in the creation of cider, wine and other fermented goods.

Sting
Aware Super Theatre
Sydney, Australia
15 February 2023

Overplayed rock ballads notwithstanding, I have always found it difficult way to resist the magnetic pull of the way Sting channeled his alchemy into a mélange of subtlety which is delicately substantiated by his immensely visceral song-writing abilities. 

Merging elements from seemingly unrelated cultures and widely agnostic of musical genres, the way he has been serenading audiences over the last forty-five years with his earnest vocals backed by his rich linguistic devices and, of course, his light, idiosyncratic way of strumming the bass has cemented the unique place he occupies in the world of music.

Having not only spearheaded an immensely successful, groundbreaking band but forging a solo career in his own right, nurturing both the adulation of fans as well as critical acclaim, it was fantastic to finally witness the man in a live environment. 

Cutting a lean figure and agile in nature due to being equipped with a headset mic, Sting free flowingly commanded the stage with a solid presence. Framing his extensive arsenal of hits with engaging anecdotes and a well-calibrated setlist, his presence and delivery resonated with the audience from the get-go.

What accentuated Sting’s performance and made it even more memorable than a mere one-man focused show were the moments when he genuinely allowed for constituents of his impressive backing band to shine and take the limelight - be it via soaring, dualling vocal performances or with e.g., harmonica parts replicating what Stevie Wonder had initially incepted.

Summa summarum: A spirited, effortless, and transcending performance that not only did justice to Sting’s varied musical legacy – the tour is not for nothing aptly named “My Songs” - but one that solidified the unique place he occupies in the pop cultural canon.