The Victorian Microbrewery Showcase is well established as a forum for spreading the good word of good beer to those already drinking the amber nectar and who wish to expand the horizons of knowledge and experience. It has done so since 2006 and has done it well.

But what of those folk who lurk furtively on ‘the other side’? You know who I’m talking about? You do, go on, think hard. OK I’ll whisper it. *It’s wine people* You know them. Sophisticated, educated, erudite and suave? Well, some of them maybe. Some are also very nice people. Turns out some are also keen to explore our world.

On the Thursday afternoon before the Microbrewery Showcase opened its doors to the public a modest but attentive group gathered in The Edge to listen to a presentation titled Building A Better Beer List in which Josie Bone’s Beer Guy, James Greenfield presented a pleasant stroll through the world of Australian craft beer. Introduced by veteran craft brewer and stalwart of the Victorian Association of Microbrewers, Paul Holgate, the idea of this event was to present the different flavours of a range of beer styles to make crafting a beer list within a wine list easier.

From light lagers and wheat beers through saison, pale ale and finishing with stout James led the group along the flavour, colour and aroma trails, pointing out the relevant features and points of interest while keeping the trip moving and without asking too much of the passengers. Questions were encouraged and opinions canvassed and those more adept at decanting a Cabernet were soon learning the mysteries of The Reinheitsgebot and becoming immersed in the wonders of the amber nectar.

VAMI, The Australian Sommeliers Association and those individuals involved in preparing and presenting the event are to be congratulated for adding an extra dimension to what is already a well-run event as are the brewers who provided the beers. Perhaps the organisers might consider producing a recorded audio version of the tasting notes as some of the sommeliers, Neil Perry’s Rockpool representative in particular, were making this writer dizzy with the frenzied speed of their note-taking.

The Wine Guys will have another opportunity to dive further into the deep end when Josie Bones and the Australian Sommeliers Association meet again at Josie Bones on Monday November 7th from 3.00pm til 5 to present Water, Malt, Hops and Yeast – an exploration of the elements of beer. Spaces are limited and the guys at Josie Bones have a handy knack of selling these events out quickly so contact james@josiebones.com before the end of this week to book a spot. Tickets are $40 including beer and tasty morsels. Vege-ma-terians may want to BYO lettuce leaves.

[adrotate group=”1″]

[adrotate group=”1″]