Wrap up of day 1 of the ANHC (Australia National Homebrewing Conference).
I'm in Melbourne on a family holiday, which happened to coincide with the ANHC. So I got a ticket.
First up this morning, after opening speeches (and after a quick chat to him myself) was Jamil Zainasheff, talking about how to make your beer the best it can be. Awesome. A fuller run down later. Next up a great historical walk through Australian pale ales (and pale ales in general starting from Burton on Trent IPAs and a pretty great selection of historical pale ale bottle labels including New Zealand ones) with a tasting of Coopers Sparkling Ale to boot.
A talk about large brewery product development, then another about malting,
Then a session by a chap commercially brewing gluten free beer, and home brewing better examples for himself (his commercial ones are for a broad audience). He spoke of coeliac sufferers reduced to tears after discovering there was a beer they could drink. Awesome.
Then John Palmer himself (whom I sat next to throughout) talking about hop utilisation and factors affecting bittering and measurement thereof.
Then a sensory session with 4 faulty beers (diacetal, DMS, skunked, phenolic) and panel discussion. Then another panel, going through a judging of 3 beers. 3 judges offering their insights as the audience tasted alongside (JZ one of the judges, with a ton of judging insight).
Then a drink or 2 at the bar before the beer and food pairing dinner, 4 wonderful courses matched with 4 wonderful beers - brewed by 4 Victorian brewers of high repute. Amazing beers all, and exquisite food.
Then club night, homebrewers from all over Australia pouring their creations from the keg and bottle. 30 or so different beers, some very very good indeed. Awesome night.
Time to get some sleep for tommorrow, another big day.
Cheers from Melbourne.