The latest global consumer frenzy over the new Samsung S5 confirmed to me that we are becoming a society increasingly focused on what is the latest, the newest and the coolest.

I generally enjoy beers made with chocolate the same way I appreciate wearing a tie, films with Meryl Streep in them, the wit and wisdom of Michael Laws, Avocadoes, [1]

Once again following the trailblazing American example, a small but growing number of New Zealand craft brewers are selling their beers in cans.

I like hops in the same way I like oysters, my beloved Brisbane Broncos, Ronald Reagan, Office Space, sashimi, Wrestlemania baby, The Hobbit (book version), Martin Bosley, capitalism, (Sir) Jeremy Clarkson, Star Wars, Samantha Fox, PJ O’Rourke, Hawaiian shirts, Scottish Rugby, hugs from Steve Nally, Oasis, Jane Clifton’s writing style, the complete works of Steven Seagal, Gavin Hastings, Tyrion Lannister, Stu McKinlay’s trousers and Johnny Bravo – in other words, a lot.

Last week the Malthouse was a little quieter and considerably less hirsute. This was due to the absence of Colin the Handsome yet Softly Spoken Scotsman on his regular sojourn to the United States for a seemingly endless round of tastings, brewery tours, craft beer events and celebrity selfies. [1]

Last week I wrote exactly four ‘facts’ about Gisborne Gold lager and I managed to get at least one of them wrong.