SOBA Summary - November 10 - 16

Time again for the SOBA News.

A good SOBA catch-up was held at Bar Edward. While we didn't twist James' arm into a SOBA discount, he does keep maintaining that he is trying to work something out that suits SOBA and doesn't put him out of business! Any ideas, feel free to email Brendon at brendon.mackenzie@soba.org.nz.

Stu bought along a a couple of riggers of Emerson's limited-release Pale Ryder, which was pretty well recieved. Richard describes it was "not a wow beer but a good challenge with four cereals and a spice". If only all brewers had the luxury of waking up and deciding to try a new challenge! The four cereals are lager malt, wheat malt, rye malt and rolled oats. The spice is coriander, and there's a pinch or two of American hops in there too. It's been on tap around the usual Dunedin outelets and in Auckland (Hallertau and Galbraiths). Not sure how much is left, or where it's at. Let us know, via the comments, if you've seen it anywhere else. Cheers to Richard for the samples.

On the summery ale note: Stu has the full judgement from the "Summer Ale" case, so will summise for next week's SOBA news. It's an important decision - not only for brewers but for all manufacturers who want to use standard descriptors to name their products. Anyone who would like a copy can email Stu at stu@soba.org.nz.

Entries to the homebrew competition are trucking in. Good to see a few brewers getting a wide variety of beers in there. Also great to see, from an ale lovers perspective, that ale is currently out-trumping lager in the entry count. C'mon lager brewers - what are you scared of!?

Slainte mhath
Stu