With summer just around the corner, it is time to dust off the eskys, find that missing thong and prepare to embark on one of the most critical missions of summer. Finding that perfect summer ale. Something slightly tropical yet not overly floral, something you can drink all day yet still feisty enough to punch you in the tastebuds when you crack that first can!
Lucky for you Queensland's Gold Coast is home to some of the best craft breweries in the country and the perfect location to complete your mission. Our hunt for the perfect Summer ale is well underway and we thought we would share with you a few of the hidden gems we have found so far (you are welcome)
It's bang on 12 PM as we burst through the doors of Balter Brewery nestled in the Currumbin Industrial estate... The hunt has begun! As if dominating the world of professional surfing wasn't enough for pro surfers Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Bede Durbidge and Josh Kerr the four teamed up to dominate the world of Craft Beer winning the highly sought after GABS beer awards with their XPA. With a food truck conveniently parked outside, the smell of hops filling the industrial estate and a vast selection of Balter's staple beverages, plus a few cheeky experiments on tap we knew leaving would be hard. But after a few IPA's the Balter team described as " like frolicking naked through a spring forest, then dive-bombing off a mandarin-scented waterfall" (they were not wrong) we knew the hunt must go on and we piled into our beer wagon and headed north into Burleigh.
As we disembarked the beer wagon the sweet tunes from local gold coast musicians filled the air. Although creating a vibe like no other brewery we had visited we were not here for the tunes, we were here for the Beer! As our tastebuds began to tingle with excitement we stepped through the gates of Burleigh Brewing and the hunt resumed.
Rumour has it that Brew Master Brennan was born on the floor of an old Ale House, upon entering the world kicking and screaming he refused his mothers bosom and instead reached his tiny newborn hands towards a schooner of lager on a table nearby. Which makes perfect sense when we tried their signature lager "Burleigh Big Head" This could easily be a candidate for our beer of Summer! Brewing a full-flavoured, full-strength beer with no carbs sounded impossible, but just because no one had done it before, it didn't mean it could not be done. And guess what? It has been done, and done to perfection we might add! After a few Big Heads in the sun, we were wrestling with the idea of abandoning the hunt for the day and settling in. But like they say in show business the show must go on and go on it will. As we left the sweet sounds of Burleigh brewing with a strong candidate for our summer beer in hand. It was time to pile back into our beer wagon and head north to Miami. Home of one of the newest editions to the gold coast's craft beer scene, Lost Palms.
Hidden just off the Gold Coast Highway in Miami local brewery lost palms can only be described as a giant playground for any craft beer enthusiast. Tempted to shoot a few hoops on the basketball court or settle a few debates within the group over a game of Giant Jenga or Connect Four we were reminded of our mission, refocused and continued the hunt for our perfect summer ale! How could we go past a beer named "300 days of summer" You are right we simply couldn't! Inspired by the amazing weather the Gold Coast has to offer, this beer is a super smash-able and session-able beverage packed with flavor and a clean yet bitter finish. Containing only 3% ABV it is the perfect day drinking ale and definitely in the race for our summer favorite! Even though the basketball hoop kept calling our name we knew it was time to put food in our stomachs and maybe have one last chance to find "the beer of summer" we had been so desperately hunting.
There is no better place on the gold coast to line your stomach after a long day and sip on some of the region's most exclusive beers under one roof than Bine Beer Bar in Miami. Boasting a wide variety of unique craft creations and a menu any genuine beer lover would die for we settled in with a burger for the ages to discuss our daily findings, while listening to live tunes provided by some of Bine Bars incredibly talented musical residants.
What a day, after discussing the punchy IPA from Balter, the low carb sensation from Burleigh brewing, and the smashable session ale from Lost Palms it was apparent that there may no longer be just one beer for summer! There may be hundreds, the endless hunt for that perfect summer ale may never stop (which is absolutely fine with us)
So when you have found that lost thong, dusted off the esky, and are ready to head out and hunt for your own favorite summer beer make sure you check out all the Gold Coast craft beer scene has to be offer. We promise you will not be disappointed and if you manage to catch something we missed please make sure you let us know!
Bring on Summer!!