Free Beer

[Kempicus]

Ok here's another starter for 10...

What's your favourite brewery based on the amount of free beers you've received....a thinly veiled discussion about who the most generous brewer is ;0)

[Stu McKinlay]

Oh yes, shouldn't forget Mr Croucher... free beer, a good chat - and compliments about my homebrew too!

And Tuatara, who put on a stunning afternoon for the SOBA members earlier in the year - a few kegs and a barbeque.

see, I told you - it's everyone!

[JoKing]

Did he give you a score for appearance?

[jt]

score for appearance?

Is that a score for making an appearance - or a score for his appearance (wasn't one of those shocking shirts was it ?)

[Stu McKinlay]

5/5, if i remember rightly..... it was a long time ago...

[Kempicus]

This is all good i'm feeling the Christmas love for all the micro brewers in the country! :0)

[JoKing]

I better put in a special mention for Mike from White Cliffs Brewery down here... he gave me some lager yeast last weekend and a bit of a brewery tour. Cheers Mike.

The yeast is for my brew that I'm entering in to our (Western Home Brewers Conference) home brew competition at the end of February. This time around, the style is German Pilsner. Any Aucklanders who are keen to enter: drop me a line. $10 to enter... winner takes all. It is held at Hallertau: big thanks to Steve who has been hosting the competition this year.

[Sparky]

I don't care about a free beer at all. I am quite happy to pay for a brewer's beer anytime.

My favourite Breweries belong to the generous Brewers that have welcomed me and taken time from what they are doing, to have a chat and pass on a few tips and show me their process.

Locally Chris Harrison, Darryl Tonge, Chris Willis and Chris O'Leary have all given me their and their business's time. It doesn't get any better than that.

I've spent a little time with Luke, Ian Ramsay, Steve Plowman, Geoff Logan & crew and the guy who brews in the forest north of Dargaville, all after wandering in off the street, all have made some time for me.

And yes all the guys mentioned have shouted me a beer, however their knowledge, passion and willingness to share their process and methods puts them right up there as "a most generous brewer"

I think I'm off topic, however that's how I quantify a generous Brewer.

Cheers

[Greig McGill]

Ah Seamus, does every email convo we have turn into a bloody thread here? ;)

Anyway, it's a good 'un. I've not met a non-generous micro brewer. Both with their time, and with their product. They're a passionate, fun, and interesting bunch of people, and I love them all!

I guess I'll single out my three favourites.

Luke Nicholas: What can I say? You're a great brewer and a great friend. Never too busy for a chat, despite running around like a mad thing building and growing your brand. It's worth noting that SOBA exists because of Luke's motivation, support, and encouragement. Not that this will stop us caning him with a 1/5 for appearance if his standards slip! ;)

Steve Plowman: Everything said for Luke goes also for you. I have always enjoyed time spent chatting and drinking with you, and like Luke, you're generous to a fault in sharing your knowledge, time, and beer. Another huge supporter of SOBA, you've really gone the extra distance in helping us out. I hope as we grow, we can begin to repay you with the increased custom you deserve.

Paul Croucher: Someone I don't see as often as I'd like. Whenever I see you Paul, no matter how rushed you are, you've always made time for a quick chat and an update on how your beer is going. It's been fantastic to see you go from strength to strength, and start wowing people with the quality of your beer.

Honourable mention must go to Carl Vasta. I hardly ever run into Carl, but whenever I have, he's stood a round! Despite me claiming that his IPA was like Bud Light after an Armageddon! ;) He was another involved in forming SOBA, and we love him for it.

Since I'm doling out the Christmas love here, I want to mention two non-brewers also.

Colin Mallon: I don't really know what to say. Possibly the most generous Scot in existence! ;) I can't think of many times I've been into the Malthouse when Colin has been there, and not been offered a "wee taste" of something or other. Colin's generosity extends beyond beer also, I still can't believe his efforts in getting up after a HUGE night, injuring himself seriously, and still turning up bloody early to open the Malthouse for the SOBA AGM. Not to mention volunteering to help out in any way he could.

Geoff Griggs: You are the under-appreciated gem of beer in NZ. I love your integrity, honesty, and generosity of your time and experience. I've yet to sit down for a pint with you (unless you count the SOBA AGM) but I shall, and I'll be buying.

I'd add homebrewers too (Kieran, Stu, Kempicus, Rob, hell, the whole lot of you) but this is sickening enough! ;)

[nzbrewer]

Not that this will stop us caning him with a 1/5 for appearance if his standards slip!

I get 1/5 just for the windup factor methinks, forget about the beer

I think the next beer I make will need to be black with clouding agent to achieve the elusive 5/5

[Kempicus]

Hey i gave you 5/5 without floaters!
How about this for a great marketing plan....dry hop your own beer (each beer comes with a hop pellet) guaranteed to get 5/5 for appearance! ;0)

[nzbrewer]

How about an Epic Pale Ale Bolier Maker with a shot of Epic IMPropriety dry hopped with 100gm/litre, that has to get me close to a 5/5. Sound good?

18.12.08

[Kempicus]

Yep, GOLD!