Hop Hog IPA

Feral Brewery Hop Hog IPA
330ml
5.8%

Last week i went into Blackhearts & Sparrows, which is well regarded as one of Melbourne's best suppliers of damn good craft beer. Initially my focus had been to source out some craft beers in cans for the Golden Plains Music festival on the 9-11 of March, and for anyone keen to avoid Melbourne bitter, VB and Carlton Draught it truly is a Mecca for left-field beer cans! I found Spanish Lagers, American IPA's, Stouts, Bocks, Hefeweizens & a great range of ciders. However i also spotted the Hop Hog IPA which is made by the people over at famous Feral Brewery in WA. The guys at craftypint.com rate it as the best Australian craft beer from last year, and upon further research i found others were raving about it. At $18 for a 4 pack its very expensive, and I'm sure it could be found cheaper elsewhere. But as far as beers go, its a ripper, a Light frothy head tops a rich amber coloured ale, which delivers strong fruity aromas on the nose, the flavour is rich in pine and has hints of banana, and is finished with a strong bitterness. I ended up sharing the 4 beers with a friend, and whilst it is truly delicious, i doubt i could have finished all four myself, such is the rich intense flavour of the Hop Hog. Not my favourite beer, but its definitely memorable and delivers one of the most complex flavours of any Australian craft beer currently available.

7.5/10 

Cutler & Co.

Cutler & Co.

Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, late 1800s. The street is steeped in poverty, crime and prostitution. Long gone is a pleasant picture of class harmony and so starts a period of economic depression.

By the end of the 19^th century, Gertrude Street became a home to a number of businesses, servicing the working class locals, including a metal works factory.

This particular metal works factory now belongs to Andrew McConnell, whose thread of restaurants (Cumulus Inc., Golden Fields and Cutler & Co.) have imprinted on the contemporary and stylish gastronomy of Melbourne dining.

Cutler & Co. is has been preserved within the old metal factory on Gertrude st and gives light to a range of stylish, yet simple dishes that incorporate a range of interesting flavours.

The interior is very noir, with low ambient lighting and is separated into intimate and homely areas, to appreciate and experience the philosophy behind Cutler & Co.

The structured menu gives you a range of options to choose from: a la carte, set entrees with your own choice of main or an extensive degustation menu.

I was fortunate to enjoy the degustation menu and divulged in the following:

·         Moonlight Kiss oyster , Clair de Lune Bouton oyster and The Rusty Wire oyster   7.5/10

Salty, soft, flavoursome and light.  

·         Bonito sashimi, avocado, sorrel & cucumber    8/10

Delectably smooth and soft sashimi, with creamy avocado and a agreeable combination of fresh herbs and vegetables. 

·         Aged pigeon, hay baked carrot & gingerbread    6/10

Tender pieces of pigeon served with rustic carrots and gingerbread .

·         WA marron, wagyu bresaola,  iceberg hearts & whipped cod roe   10/10

Amazing! Enough said.

·         Peas & zucchini, sunflower seeds, onion & bergamot   7/10

A light cold dish that incorporated bergamont citrus tones and a soy dressing to blend the greens. 

·         Earl grey ice cream, chocolate, Pedro Ximénez prunes & honey   9/10

As a personal chamomile tea drinker, I never thought I would appreciate the flavours of earl grey infused into a creamy and velvety ice-cream. Amazing! The combination of earthy tones and sweet chocolate would make this the perfect way to finish off a drawn-out meal.

Hawthorn Pale Ale

Hawthorn Brewery Pale Ale
330ml
4.7%

A few weeks ago i first tried the hawthorn pale ale at the Commercial Club Hotel in Fitzroy, Whilst it was a rich amber colour, and hardly a pale ale, it had striking floral aromas and strong hoppy presence which closely resembled an IPA. The following week i went to Dan Murphy's and bought a 6 pack for $16.95 which is an appropriate price. Upon inspection of the bottle i saw that despite the strong hoppy profile the beer was less than 5% alcohol, which i think makes for fantastic drinking on summer warm afternoons. Ultimately the hawthorn pale ale makes for very good drinking, for all occasions, it is currently one of my favourites.

8.5/10

28 Pale Ale

Burleigh Brewery 28 Pale Ale
330ml
4.8%

The 28 pale ale is a 70's style ale with strong floral aromas and delicious hoppy and fruity flavours, the beer is a rich golden colour with the perfect head. Personally i think it is one of the best beers around at the moment, which is verified by winning gold at the world beer championships in 2010. Best of all it doesn't break the bank, at $60 a slab its a steal! Perfect for any occasion, but best for a summer BBQ.

9.5/10

Moo Brew Pale Ale

Moo Brew Pale Ale
330ml
4.9%

Recently bought a couple of bottles of the Moo Brew pale ale from the local Bottlemart on Lygon St, Princes Hill. At 2 for $10 the ale is hardly cheap, but it is one of the smoothest pale ales that i have had. The bottle itself is very unique with a wide base and long thin neck, which more closely resembles a vase than a beer bottle. The Ale is a rich golden colour and whilst it isn't overly hoppy or bitter, it is remarkably smooth across the palate with a clean finish; a perfect thirst quencher.

8/10

25 Killer sandwiches

http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/25-sophisticated-sandwiches-20130211-2e827.html

You Yangs Regional Park

Yesterday we visited the You Yangs Regional Park which is located 60km south west of Melbourne. The park is known for its distinctive granite peaks and dense bush surrounds.

From the base car park it is a 8.5km return walk to Flinders peak which is 340m high, the walk is generally easy, however there are a lot of steps from the turntable car park to the peak.

The peak is named after Matthew Flinders, and was used by Flinders to map out parts of port Philip bay. At the peak there is a viewing deck and a bench which makes for the perfect lunch spot.

The east west circuit which explores the lower lying bush surrounding flinders peak is an additional 4.5km in length. The east west track can be very steep in parts and a solid level of fitness is recommended.

Additionally there are around 50km of mountain bike trails to explore, hence the You Yangs Regional Park is an ideal choice for anyone looking for challenging day walks and/or rides in a truly beautiful setting.