Firstly, I’ve just been reminded that recently one of the three main gripes I had with my ipod touch when I got it last year has finally been resolved! iOS 5 added proper compilation handling support, so for the first time since iOS existed, we have the funtionality back from the old click wheel ipods! Seriously, it took Apple that long to restore a feature we already had, the lack of which was causing a lot of internet based whining. Still, it’s here now, so that’s that sorted. The other two issues are hardware related, so there’s no recourse there.. also there was no ipod touch hardware refresh with the iphone refresh, so there’s not a new model that did anything about them. The lack of a usable camera leads into my next gripe related update to that previously linked post…

… in that Facebook bought Snaptu, so now I don’t have a way to put photos easily into my twitter feed directly from my (still Nokia Symbian) phones. Not sure I mentioned it on here, but my personal phone is a Nokia N97 mini (the E72 is workphone).. which isn’t very mini at all. The hardware is a great design, but the touchscreen is poor and the OS.. is Symbian. I’ve told so many people that I’m going to get a Windows Phone 7 that I have to do it now, but I’m still waiting on the Nokia ones to be made available here… so one day I’ll have a smartphone. For anyone who had a ‘GASP WINDOWS WHY YOU IDIOT’ moment, don’t knock it until you try it. Also I’ll be able to wireless hotpot my ipod to it, so best of both worlds. Getting back to the point, I’m sure there’s a Symbian app that will to twitter and pictures in one handy package, I just have to get off my arse and find it. Any suggestions?

It’s the side panel from an old server, you may remember the rest of it from this post. It’s screwed to the wardrobe door then covered in neodymium magnets. The idea is shamelessly stolen from series two of James May’s Man Lab, though they suggested attaching it to the ceiling and using a grabby pole to reach things. Fun!

So prior to this I had a growler (2 litres in modern, 64 fl oz if you’re unsufferably retro) of The Pale APA from Hop Dog which is basically an IPA only somehow more American. It was pretty tasty anyway, in an IPA sorta way. This though is not the point right now. Seriously, forget I mentioned that. Quit living in the past. Insert disparaging comment about your old favourite band here.

Now, now is the time for Drei von Dänen! It’s from Amager Bryghus and it’s delish. A rather smokey Baltic Porter, I’d say if you’re not someone who smokes thing you’d say it’s quite smokey, but if you were a cigar or pipe sort of person you’d be all ‘hmm, that’s a little smokey’. Basically it’s a big Porter that’s somewhat smokey. Probably a bit too smokey to rise super high on my charts but definitely worth a go, and would be returned to if cigars were on the menu. A very well constructed brew. I believe Mikkellers and Mikkel Borg Bjergsø collaberated on this one, though Google appears to be understating their contributions. Either way, one way or the other, ipso facto, be it or not, there’s a possibility that you’ll really like this. Definitely worth a crack if you like the idea of a smokey porter, and probably worth a go if you like either smokey or porter.

Cross Breed Seedy Goat by Mountain Goat. An IPA with a hint of coffee, the bitterness of the hops and coffee match well. From the outset I was dubious as I’ve never really liked IPAs but I’ve also not tasted many. After this one I might have to start having a go occasionally as I thought this was pretty good. A strong flavour, but without the eeegh aftertones that IPAs used to give me. An interesting way to start.

Nordic Rye Ale by Beer Here. A Roggenbier (Scandinavian rye ale) that was traditionally brewed to slake the thirst of farmhands, as it was safer to drink than the local water. Also far more delicious – I really liked this one. I noted it down as a soft dessert beer, it was smooth and a little rich, but not as much as its 8.0% ABV would suggest. Would be very nice to sit down with after a meal.

Moylander Double IPA by Moylands. Double generally meaning more in the beer world, this is an 8.5% IPA from the US. Apparently it’s common in the US to find IPAs that have higher than usual ABVs, though I didn’t have any when I was there recently. Similar to the earlier IPA, it lived up to its ‘double’ moniker but still managed not to have a nasty aftertaste, though some of the rest of the table didn’t agree with me. A very strong flavour that’s bound to put many off, though I imagine if you’re a fan of IPAs you’ll appreciate it. I could be convinced, but I think I’d need to conduct further research into the topic. If anyone would like to provide research subjects, I’m sure you know where to find me.

Wild Thing by Murray’s Craft Brewing Co. This one was sitting back tempting me to just dive into it, a big dark Russian Imperial Stout with a little head like a crema on a good black coffee. I love a good stout and this one was no disappointment – big, rich, chocolatey and huge flavour, but again belied its 10% ABV. This is exactly what I look for in a dessert beer and will be something I seek out in future. Nothing like a Guiness, it’s much closer to a big porter style, which is where stouts have their roots. In fact, they used to be called ‘stout porters’. Was my pick of the paddle, for sure.

Rex Attitude by Yeastie Boys. Wins points for the name alone, this was a very interesting little number. The scotch drinkers loved it, as it it has a rich smokey flavour an is acually made with 100% heavy peated distilling malt. The style is listed as ‘smoked beer’ which makes sense given the flavours involved. Not something to drink all night, but definitely worth a go.

After the paddle was finished with we were free to go and purchase some additional brews to satisfy our curiousity.

Ganko Oyaji by Baird Brewing Co. Supplied by an appropriately named member of the table, this one ended up being a little disappointing. Given its position in the proceedings that’s by no means saying it was rubbish, but it just wasn’t quite there. It’s also the only beer of the night to taste like its ABV (10.8%), it’s a barley wine from Japan whose name translates to ‘Stubborn Old Man’. Not bad, but not something I’d go out of my way for again.

Black Tokyo Horizon: a collaboration between Brew Dog, Mikkeller & Nøgne Ø. Holy. Shit. Seriously. Pours like used motor oil with a fine crema head, it’s an Imperial Stout that first attracted me by its ABV (17.2%), shocked me momentarily by its price ($45 for 330mL, but I saw it today in a bottleshop for $40) then absolutely floored me when I tasted it. Those who follow my twitter account saw my reaction at the time, this is a very special brew that I wasn’t aware was even possible with beers. I’m going to cut through all the gushing and say that if you see this anywhere and you enjoy a porter or stout, you owe it to yoourself to get one. Don’t think about the cost, (it’s not that much really) just buy it and spend an hour of your life savouring its brilliance, preferably with someone else to enjoy it with you. Go on, you deserve it. Consider it educational.

Nut Brown Ale by Samual Smith. I think. Not part of the extreme beer menu, this was just a tasty way to wrap the night up. Nice.

So that was tuesday night, which also included a copy of The Beer Lovers Guide To Australia. Inside this publication I saw an ad for The Beer Cartel up in Artarmon. Given it’s pretty close I decided to check it out today. They’re just getting started with being a fancy beer joint having opened earlier this year and have also started getting in kegs of interesting beers and selling them by the growler – not the euphemism, a 2 litre bottle. They were between kegs when I got there, but out of my visit I’m currently enjoying…

Bitch Please: a collaboration between Brew Dog and Three Floyds. Another big’un at 11.5% ABV, it’s a barley wine that’s hugely enjoyable. I’m new to this style too, having had my only previous experience last tuesday. Basically it’s a delicious way to spend $25. It’s a bit rich but has a very pointy flavour running through it (you may notice I’m not very poncy with my tasting notes..) that leaves a pleasing aftertaste, and was brewed with peated malts and spent 8 months in old Jura single malt whisky barrels. Again, something to do if you get the opportunity.

Some of the above cash points may sound like a whole lotta moola for a beer but given how much I’ve spent on some bottles of wine I think it’s reasonable. Obviously it’s a once in a while sorta spend, but it’s good for the soul to have a crack at this stuff once in a while. I’m a person who’ll drink something ridiculously fancy while eating a (nice) pizza from up the road, I’d rather spend the majority of the cash on drink than food. That may strike foodies as odd, but it’s really two sides of the same coin. My dad has a magnet somewhere (it’s not on his fridge because he went and bought one finished in brushed aluminium..) that says ‘Life’s too short to drink bad wine’ and it’s true, especially in Australia. You can get fantastic booze for not a whole lotta money and the same thing obviously goes for beers but once in a while you gotta splash out and treat yourself, if only to keep things in perspective. Otherwise you may end up settling for Yellowtail or Fosters, which are two things that do our nations’ booze producers huge disservice worldwide. Alls we need is some promotion and protection of our local brandies and we really could take the world’s squifflers by storm.