From Fresh, The West Australian, Jan3

Organisers of the Tourism WA Awards were sent a sizzling letter from a beer lover “appalled at the way you treated your boutique brewing members” . He acknowledged the presence of local wines integral to the presentation night menu, but noted the only beers mentioned were eastern states brands“at the bottom, under ‘other drinks’.”

The correspondent added: “If I was a WA microbrewer I would be fuming - and I wasn't the only one who noticed this appalling oversight and insult to one of WA’s growing tourist industries.” He has a point. Here are some of the State’s craft brewing achievements in 2007.

Matso’s Broome Brewery bolstered its Perth presence by bottling its beer and appointing a new, internationally experienced head brewer, Roland Bloch. As well as meeting growing demand for Monsoonal Blond, Ginger Beer and Man-Go fruit beer, the German brewer fashioned a summery Bavarian Hefe-Weizen for the holiday season. The 5.6 per cent, three-malt, dark wheat ale with banana and citrus whiffs has a full-bodied spicy, berry taste.

Jarrah Jack’s brewed its Belgian Golden Ale in time for Christmas, on tap and in bottles at the Pemberton brewery. Alcohol content is cut to 5.5 per cent (formerly 7.5 per cent) for easier drinking. Popular Honey Porter (5.5 per cent), infused with local karri honey, is back on tap. And flagship JJ Pemberton Ale kolsch, formerly called Settlers Ale, came to town for summer, on tap at the Adelphi Bar and Grill in Perth’s Parmelia Hilton.

Indian Ocean Brewhaus continues its adventurous work. Its festive special on tap at Mindarie is meaty, 6.6 per cent Indi Bock. Almost ale-like toffee hints and a warming, smooth palate mark it as a German-style dark lager.

Cowaramup Brewery celebrated its first year with a party for local regulars last month. A dark lager summer seasonal went on tap alongside the line-up of Pilsener, Hefe-Weizen, Special Pale Ale and India Pale Ale. And it has started selling products of its own hops such as hop soap and oil.

Colonial Brewing has been flat-out supplying the Margaret River venue and its sumptuous metropolitan base, the Royal in East Perth, which now has Pale Ale, Kolsche, Brown Ale and Witbier on tap. The refillable Growler two-litre flagons sold out in winter much faster than expected, but a new consignment is due now.

The Mad Monk opened in spring with a carefully thought-out menu to complement the two inaugural ales brewed on view in the South Terrace restaurant in Fremantle. A third crafted beer is due on tap soon.

Feral Grande Reserve White went on tap at the Baskerville brewery-restaurant for New Year, a stronger (8.3 per cent) version of popular Feral White Belgian-style wheat ale with added herbs and spices. It joins the range of: 3.9 per cent Farmhouse Ale; 6 per cent Rust Belgian “dubbel”ale; Pilsner; and Feral White. Brewer Brendan Varis, now Feral’s co-owner, has been appointed a World Beer Cup judge in San Diego next year.

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ALE TALE

Staropramen Premium: From a Prague brewery founded in 1869 and named for its “old spring” comes a 5 per cent, delicately flavoured golden lager brewed with Czech ingredients, including Bohemian barley and Saatzer hops. The latter lend an inviting aroma and slight spiciness, but not the bitterness of traditional Czech pilsners, matching the wide Aussie penchant for crisp, sweetish premium lager. “The Czechs know their beer and Australians are responding positively to their traditional style,” Foster’s International Brands marketing manager Garry Hastings said.