Sweden – the country which produced the Vikings who brutally raided Britain and France, and ABBA who launched a harrowing assault on popular music

September is a month of celebrations – Malthouse is celebrating 25 years in the business with twelve brewery events, it is Democracy Day in Tibet (actual results may vary) and Malty’s sister brewpub Fork & Brewer marks its own 7th birthday. It seems therefore fitting that the September Project Silver tap takeover will showcase Fork Brewing.

Over 2018 Malthouse is celebrating the best in beer through monthly tap takeover events known collectively as “Project Silver”. The name refers to the metal traditionally associated with a 25th anniversary which Malty just happens to be marking this year. In previous Project Silver events, only one brewery has been highlighted such as 8 Wired, Emerson’s and Moa.

Secrets can be powerful – Who poisoned the All Blacks at the 1995 Rugby World Cup? Are we alone in this universe? Who really shot JFK? Why is Dai Henwood still a thing? Is it true that JFK shot first? A person with those answers would be a force to be reckoned with.

The day of the Malthouse West Coast IPA Challenge is one of just seven dates to be written into my paper diary at the start of every year – Mum’s birthday, Dad’s birthday, Brother’s birthday, Lovely Partner’s birthday, Said anniversary, Wrestlemania Day, and the Challenge.

When I think of California – the 31st state to join America - my thoughts are drawn to Disneyland, Hulk Hogan, Silicon Valley, the Los Angeles Lakers of lore,