Beer 59 - Abbey Ale.....first time
Really impressive local in the style of a Belgian Ale. Pours a rich orange/golden colour with a thick creamy head. Surprised when checking the label at the 7% content, as the alcohol was not overbearing on the palate.
Very lively aroma with a flavour and mouthfeel I would compare to Leffe Blonde. Left a solid impression of a wheat beer - but I don't think wheat malt is amongst the ingredients. The colour was surprisingly deep and didn't seem to match it's flavour? Liked it just the same.
My rating....4
Thought for the Day.....You make your own luck - to a point. Beyond that you need to make the most of what is.....what it is!
Beer 58 - Trumer Pils.....first time
Ok, I do love beer! But I'm finding that above all.....pilsener is my thing. Just love the full malt flavour - balanced with a hops bitterness.
In this case the malt is evident in both aroma and flavour, although it pours a very pale straw colour. Nicely carbonated, it's light and crisp to drink. Surprisingly mild bitterness that really doesn't linger, compared to many other pilseners. But boy is it smooth to drink!
My rating.....5
Thought for the Day.....Amazing how sometimes the simple things in life pick you up when you're feeling wiped out.
The kids helped mix a batch of homebrew non-al lemonade from a great recipe I found on the net (with real lemons!). We'll know what it's like in a couple of weeks!
Beer 46 - Bighead......second one
I like to do some market research with new beers - checking feedback and testimonials from other connoisseurs, info on the brewer's website.
Now the Burleigh Brewery are putting out some really solid products, and I thought I may have been harsh on this one?
Second time around (from the stubby) and I'm wondering if my initial rating of 2 might have been generous - am I drinking the same beer as the testimonials on the BB's website?
Trend or not with the carb issue, Bighead is simply devoid of flavour!
Beer 57 - Razorback Red Ale....first time
Another interesting local product - the Snowy Mountain Brewery. Pours a thick creamy head, rich copper in colour. The aroma and flavour incorporate the roasted malts perfectly, while the hops offer a very mellow bitterness. It does unfortunately have a hint of a metallic aftertaste that I found hard to place.
My rating......4
Thought for the Day.....Went snorkeling with our 12yo this morning - she had a ball!
Beer 56 - Duke Premium Lager....first time
Much in the tradition of European lagers. Brilliant clear golden colour - crisp and refreshing. No standout features, but it is one of the more enjoyable local lagers I've sampled recently.
Only brewed an hour from home - could be doing a tour of the Burleigh Brewery real soon!
My rating....4
Thought for the Day....Looking forward to getting back on top of things!
Ok...dragged you in. Not about dairying at all. More about blogging.
Fascinated....blogging....Almost like a modern day version of what Oprah used to promote. To Journal. Only you are able to reach other people with your ideas and feelings.
Journalling is a way of releasing - blogging is a way of sharing / reaching / helping / being helped.
Coming off depression (diagnosed with clinical depression in December '09) I felt as though the past year has been an incredible achievement in both my personal and professional developement. I undertook and personally facillitated the biggest project our family farm has seen in its existance since 1933. While at the same time successfully rebuilding my bond with Trish and the kids. Perhaps a little too ambitious.
.......the end result is an operational Robotic Dairy. The cost is hopefully only short term - my health. It's taken quite a battering. A few too many shifts in excess of 24 hours - a few too many weeks in excess of 80 hours. I truly felt as though I was coping particularly well, until a couple of weeks ago.
Maybe it was a culmination of events beyond my control...natural disasters, family problems (in-laws, not my own) and the uncertainty surrounding the very industry that keeps our farm afloat....Dairying.
Just like something out of an old Batman episode....KAAA POWWW!!!! And it didn't miss me either - about a week ago. Felt like de ja vu - rewind to December '09.
But I'm ok. Pretty quick to recognise the symptoms. Had a very lazy week and am coming back to my usual self.... I hope! Maybe I was already running on empty - but I hope all the other dairy farmers are ok after Coles genious marketing strategy was released. In fact I really hope that many of them leave the industry if unsatisfied (as we did in 2003) and reward the multi-nationals with what they deserve....a huge supply shortage!
Beer 55 - James Squire Sundown Lager......first time
Very crisp and clear. A hint of citrus as the label suggests. A little short on personality, but most enjoyable just the same! This would make a great session beer.
My rating.....4
Thought for the Day.....Some people hate the 'bottling' process of homebrew. To me it's like therapy. Maybe I need therapy?
