14/06/2011: McCashin Family Stoke Amber

"Another fantastic beer from New Zealand. Tasty, bitter and very easy to drink."

Purchased from Dan Murphy's as a part of their 10 single bottles with a 10% discount deal.

This is a different beer to what I normally drink and I find I like the taste. I've only had a few beers in the Amber Ale style and this is one of the best (though not quite as good as the Monteith's equivalent).

The blurb states it's made from organic hops and 14000 year old water. The hops I suppose are fine but is the water fresh, 'with no artificial additives or colouring' or just really, really OLD.

This has a heavy taste than the Monteith's Ale I reviewed earlier and it's not quite as sweet. The flavour is stronger and it feels heavier in the mouth and when swallowed. All in all this is a great beer well suited to a nice steak on a cold winter evening.

More information can be found at the brewer's site.

13/06/2011: Monteith's Single Source Lager Beer

Purchased from Dan Murphy's as a part of their 10 single bottles with a 10% discount deal.

Usually twice each year the brewer will produce a beer from one of it's Its old recipes. The last few years has seen both the Summer Ale and Winter Ale coming out with different tastes, but they've said they don't want to be seen to have a 'regular' line. This seems to be the winter beer from Monteith's this season.

According to the label the hops, barley etc are tracked back to particular farmers and even paddocks to make sure the best ingredients are used... and with this beer, it's definately worked.

The flavour is crisp and very easy to drink with the just the right amount of dryness and bitterness in every swallow. It's fruity (citrus) and spicy in the middle and overal, just a great drop.

It's suggested that Crispy twice-cooked Five Spice Pork Belly is the perfect accompaniment to this beer and there's a recipe on the site.

Let me know if you like it.

Strikethrough edits as suggested by comments.

Why I write?

I like writing, but I only write for work. I want to move away from my dry style into something more dynamic. To do this I've set myself a writing task to take each of the words from the Oxford Dictionary word-of-the-day eMail and write something that uses that word. As well, I'll post some reviews, rants and whatever else I can that exercises words.

WotD 12/06/2011 - defrag

"I need to defrag my mind!

Then you'll see how kind..

I am to yoooouuu!"

'The singing was excremental, but the lyrics are worse', he thought to himself as he wandered between the various stalls, displays and what had been laughingly called performance art. The displays weren't too bad, promoting various social conscious messages; safe sex; land rights; boat people; that silly Chinese religion where they ended up with harvested organs; that even sillier 'Flying Spaghetti Monster' religion that started out as a joke and someone decided to take it seriously. "Come on people, religion is a crutch", he muttered to himself with a frown, startling the young woman next to him so she moved away sharply.

As she veered off, he regretted his outburst (a little) as he genuinely didn't mean to frighten her, 'I'm a young guy, she's pretty, what else would I think'.

For the next  twenty minutes he wandered the stalls keeping a serupticious eye on the woman's progress, hoping against hope she wouldn't wander off.

After a few minutes one thing was obvious, everytime he checked on her, she was checking him out. Whether over the top of a programme, with a glance back over her shoulder or just straight out looking she was definately looking for something.

After a few more minutes it appeared she'd made her decision and she started over. Stopping in front of him, she looked up and asked, "How can you say, religion is a crutch"?

He looked her up and down, noticing the little frown at his rudeness, but also the gold cross that hung around her neck and dipped into the top of her shirt.

Turning away and gesturing her to follow, he started to talk.

WotD 07/06/2011 - double

Clanking glasses and the rise and fall of conversation. Suddenly a raucous laugh split the air, "..and then she said, 'If you double it, it'll never fit in.'" The group around him exploded into gales of laughter, slapping their knees and sometimes his back.

"You crack us up Jack", said the closest onlooker with a grin; maybe salacious, maybe not. "I don't know how you keep getting into these messes".

WotD 03/06/2011 - non-subject

The sun might have been up, but it was having little impact on what he could see; or his mood. The sky was grey and he wasn't feeling much better. It was cold, he was in a foul temper and day did not promise to get any better.

'Banished! How could they?' he thought, 'It wasn't even if he stole that much anyway. So maybe I fleeced the wrong people. People who knew other people, much more important people. It's only money and they had plenty of peasants to make more for them. The rich were so concerned with there position and what others thought of them. Did they care if he had enough to eat?'

The Magister came out in his ceremonial robes. The Duke had charged them to ride to the edge of the dukedom before sending him on his way. His excellency, six guards and one very unhappy prisoner.

The Magister came to a halt at the closed town gates, adjusted his robes, started to unfurl the official scroll of banishment, reading, checking and generally just highlighting his own importance in the whole procedure.

'He does look warm doesn't he? Good quality black wool for the robe, silver fox fur-trimmed and I suspect a very good breakfast already. He looks wealthy, well fed and important', he mused. 'I'm wearing sack-cloth. I think I hate him'.

After a few more minutes to heighten the anticipation and let the final few stragglers arrive, he started to speak.

"I'm not going to waste every one's time with this. 'Thank the gods for that.' This man is a thief and a liar. He's stolen from anyone that he can get money out of, from farmers to royalty. 'But I did limit myself to the stupid.' He's debauched maidens and desecrated religious establishments, 'Once, both at the same time!' and he is no longer fit to reside within these borders. Though he was born here, he is to be considered anathema, a non-subject of this realm and if he ever returns, can be killed without penalty!" 'Could this day get any worse? I'll have people chasing me for years.'

"So says his Lordship. Now get him out of here."

Four of the guards boxed him in while the final two started to open the gates. With an ominous creak they finally stopped and he could see his destination. A forest, thick, black and probably teeming with wild creatures eager to feed on his flesh!

With a shove from behind he started forward. Into whatever life he could build and whatever living he could make.

But in the back of his mind one thought, 'I will be back and my revenge will be bittersweet. Sweet to me and bitter to my foes.'

WotD 02/06/2011 - flesh

"It's nearly time boy, are you ready?"

"Yes, my Lord" the young squire answered to his master and he was ready. Ready to charge out behind his lord, ready to fight and possibly die to protect his liege. If he did well, after many years and if he survived, he might aspire to a knighthood of his own.

It was expected of course. His father had served his lord's father when they were both younger. Had been his squire and then his loyal retainer. managing lands on his lord's behalf and fighting alongside in several campaigns. He'd even been named for his lord.

It had been a scant few years earlier that his father had not come home. Would no longer fill the house with cheer and joy. Their lord had done his duty; had him and his mother bought into his household, had taken young John into his service as first a page and now a squire.

He and his mother had small apartments that they shared. A bed real bed for her near the fire in the back room and a small cot for him in the front room. It was comfortable. It was odd though. His Mother had started to asking him to spend more time in sleeping in the common room. She said it was because he should spend more time with the soldiers, but he spent at least half of every day with them on the practice field. She was too old to remarry, being nearly thirty, so maybe she was spending time alone in spiritual contemplation. Maybe she was considering joining a convent? He would talk to her on his return.

There was no doubt in his mind that he wouldn't return as he cast one final critical eye over his lord's equipment.

"Ready to flesh your weapon John?" asked his liege.

John was confused as he'd never heard this phrase before. The confusion must have shown on his face and his lord explained, "Tested your sword in blood. It's the only true test if a weapon is worthy"

"Yes, my Lord, I'm ready." His reply was swift and eager. Sir John faced front, a seemingly satisfied smile on his lips.

Then with the sounding of the horn they launched forward to confront the foe.

WotD 01/06/2011 - vestment

Lying on his back, looking up at the sky, and at the spire, it was strangely quieter than expected. The screams, either of the wind past his ears or of the parishioners below, should have been louder. Maybe he just expected more. Something more dramatic.

He made sure he dressed the part. His best vestments as if he was going to perform mass. Maybe if he spread his arms and legs he might be able to slow his fall? But why bother? He's done this. He'd made a choice and he must follow through.

He thought about what had happened, what he'd done. The parade of faces; women, children, old and young. None had deserved their fate and there was only one to blame.

He's only wanted to serve. To do right for those in need and he'd failed.

He thrust out his hand, thrust it toward the sky. To God. To beg forgiveness for all of his sins and to all those he'd sinned against.

A cry from below, a child's voice, "Father Joe", were the last words he heard before the sudden blackness ceased everything.