It’s Hop to be Square – Hopstock 2016

I’m currently going through a DVD binge because I have (at least for the moment) ended my over twenty year relationship with Sky Network Television. [1] In the month of May alone I have viewed the Classics (Scarface, Withnail and I, Spooks), Guilty Pleasures (Starship Troopers, the original and proper Battlestar Galactica, The Goodies) and the Truly Awful (The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, any Matrix movie that was not the first one, SWAT). [2]

Take me to the April Sun in CubaDupa

Cuba Street is truly a bizarre, quirky and unusual part of Wellington. It was named after an 1840 settler ship (“The Cuba”) and even Wikipedia acknowledges “it is one of the more bohemian areas of Wellington.” The only credible challenger to that title would be the Aro Valley which consistently records the highest number of votes for Green Party candidates. [1]

“Let me embrace thee, sour adversity” – Sourfest approaches

The titles of the last two Malthouse blogs (“It’s a Brew Day... because Brew Day Rocks, Brew Day Rocks” and “Don’t you dare be sour, Malthouse better feel the power – it’s Sourfest”) were inspired by professional wrestling, specifically the current and reigning two-time Tag Team Champions “The New Day.” [1]

Don’t you dare be sour, Malthouse better feel the power – its Sourfest

There are hop heads, malt monsters and, more recently, sour lollies. [1] Sour beers are one of the hottest trends in New Zealand beer and have a legion of fans. To pander to their love of mouth-tuckering libations, Malthouse will be holding Sourfest to showcase around 20 local sour beer examples from breweries large and very small. The festival will start on 11 March 2016 and will continue right through until the sour beers run out.

It’s a Brew Day... because Brew Day Rocks... Brew Day Rocks

On Friday I will be leaving my gated high security complex on the mean streets of Thorndon to travel to the heart of wine country – Martinborough. This is not an accident or even a kidnapping as I’m actually going there on purpose. That purpose is to cover Greater Wellington Brew Day – one of my favourite beer festivals.

A rare column in which I talk about beer... and cricket

As foreshadowed in last week’s blog I spent Valentine’s Day at the cricket while others were enjoying aphrodisiacal ales and strawberries at Malthouse. I can confirm that Tui Lager at the Basin lacks any discernible romantic characteristics, however it is easier to use the empty Tui trays to build a “fortress to keep the haters out” than it would be building a fort using leftover strawberry stems. In their defence, the Basin was selling Black Dog beers too and they sold out very quickly. [1]