WEEK 20--of Quirkiness & Tradition--chit chat with Stu Mckinlay

搞怪和传统。（上面这张照片不细心看就会被骗了）

听起来格格不入的。

前者好像玩世不恭，后者固步自封。

一定是那样吗？

在自由发挥的撞意啤酒世界，有人专注研究传统酿法，有人天马行空一心创新，也有人结合传统和新意。

来自纽西兰的YEASTIE BOYS主创酿酒师之一Stu Mckinlay说“我们的啤酒虽然好像很搞怪，其实比想象中更加贴近传统”

This week's title kind of says it all about the beers and the boys from YEASTIE BOYS.（well, if you have not noticed anything "funny" about the FIRST PHOTO--look again)

Or at least that's the impression one would get after tasting the beers and hearing what one half of the boys--Stu Mckinlay has to say.

a confession?
"We're seen as risk takers,because of beers like Rex Attitude and Gunnamatta, but sometimes I do find myself taking a more conservative route than I wished I'd taken when I look back on things. "

"The goal is always to make a beer that I love first and foremost.  Then it's a decision about whether I have the courage to put that out there."

being quirky

"On paper our beers look way off the beaten track but, in reality, they all closer the classic styles than you'd think."

"Knowledge is our greatest asset. We've built our reputation around a very sound knowledge of traditional styles... knowing these styles, and how to go about making them, has been a key to making very drinkable and exciting award winning beers."

why like that?

"Yes. We take our beer seriously but we like to have fun and are so inspired by a variety of artists, musicians, chefs and the like that we're unlikely to start making anything too derivative of the big factory brewers. "

craft-titude

"There is a beer out there for everyone. No other beverage has as wide a range of flavour profiles"

"I liken brewing more to cooking than any other beverage as it has the same potential to create an incredible array of flavours. "

to newbie

"Open your mind... then look, taste, listen and learn.  The more you learn the more you will both understand and question"

"Some of the best tasting notes I've heard are from people who are new to craft beer - when you're fresh you're unconstrained by the set vocabulary that you come to learn as you read more."

"Don't be afraid to voice your thoughts on beer, whether you like it or not, but please be nice.  Remember that brewers are people too!"

craft-spread

"Education and exciting beer is the key in an emerging market. And, to be really successful, this needs to come from the breweries, the beer bars and the media."

"It often takes only a few key people to start the evolution.  Look what Brew Dog have done in the UK - say what you will about their beer or their brand but half of the new breweries I talked to over there said that Brew Dog had opened the door for them."

$$ matters

"It's very exciting to know that people are enjoying our beer in many different countries. I think the hardest thing to adjust to is the fact that people automatically think we are making lots of money or, at least, that we're doing it full time - Sam and I both actually have day jobs to pay all our personal bills. All the money Yeastie Boys makes goes back into growth.  This is a lot smaller business than most people think!" (Stu has gone full time recently)

looking ahead, Stu has this to say "We're only just scratching the surface of where things will go in the next 50 years."

Sort of prophecy or more like the old sayings"learn how to swim, dive in the ocean, realize how much more there's still to learn...'?

WEEK 19--Beers from the land of 'QI YI"

欧美酿酒师的撞意啤酒一直是备受饮客推崇，追捧，喜欢的。

欧美之外酿品选择，个人口味，至今尝试过的很少量纽西兰啤酒，这期介绍的三个品牌酿品类别众多，各有特色，会找到适合自己口味的瓶子。

The word "QI YI" (奇异）in Mandarin means "peculiar/strange"( it can be used in a good way).

and so ( you may have guessed it)--the Chinese word for Kiwi Fruit is 奇异果（QI YI GUO--the last Chinese character is 'fruit/s")

Of course we are not here to talk about fruits--but Kiwi brews.

Some good selection of NZ beers are available here in KL since few months ago, mostly the 3 brands mentioned in this week's newspaper column appearing either on tap or bottles.

here's a summary of this week's column"-
 "Yeastie Boys:-

Gunnamatta --if you like tea--especially Earl Grey--this is one beer that blend in the hops & tea aroma in a nice way. There's an old Chinese saying of " YI CHA DAI JIU"(以茶代酒--using Tea as replacement drink for wine to greet guests)--with this twist--is it just nice to drink tea in a beer now?

Rex Attitude--if you like peat/smoke--and prefer a light body beer--this is a peculiar but nice one.

"8 wired--probably most people know the brand from various IPA bottles they have--but this week we talk about Porter/Stout"

I-Stout--what struck me was the hint of salt at the end--interesting.

The Big Smoke--mouth feel & smell says "smoked salmon" besides dark chocolate/coffee that's usually associated with porter/stout.

"Renaissance:-

"For a barley wine which tend to be "thicker"--Tribute is balance and very drinkable"

"M.P.A. is a double ipa-- it is really hoppy for a NZ brew"

" there's many other NZ brews be it from the 3 mentioned or some other NZ brewers--one thing is for sure---when counting NZ specialties/delicacies--it would certainly be more than just Kiwi fruits & wine...."

NEXT WEEK--chit chat with STU--YEASTIE BOYS

WEEK 18--Chit Chat with JAMES WATT--The Bad Boys from Aberdeen-2/2

最近跟纽西兰YEASTIE BOYS主创酿酒师之一Stu McKinlay聊起借鉴欧美撞意啤酒文化推广本地市场的一些意见时，他认为知识和令人兴奋的酿品是最重要的， 而凝聚酿坊（包括品牌），撞意酒吧（包括瓶子专卖店）还有媒体的力量进行知识分享是绝对有帮助的。

今年初被邀请去英国一个啤酒节当嘉宾酿酒师，STU举例了“酿狗”对英国撞意啤酒文化的影响，他说“不管你对酿狗的酒或品牌（或行销方式）有什么意见，很多我聊天过的英国新晋酿酒师认同一个说法---“酿狗”的出现打开了“撞意门”。。”

一个品牌的成功必然有它的过人之处。

上期约略说了些“酿狗”的故事，今天跟品牌灵魂人物之一JAMES WATT聊聊。

From a recent chit chat with the brew master of NZ craft brew YEASTIE BOYS, Stu McKinlay--one of the things mentioned was about the way forward for craft beer scene here in South East Asia which is rather new market as compared to EUROPE/US.

Stu was invited to UK early this year to brew some beers for a beer festival, having spoken to some brewers in UK and seen first hand some of UK bar scene, he is of the opinion that the widening of craft beer culture needs.."Education and exciting beer is the key in an emerging market. And, to be really successful, this needs to come from the breweries, the beer bars and the media. It often takes only a few key people to start the evolution.  Look what Brew Dog have done in the UK - say what you will about their beer or their brand but half of the new breweries I talked to over there said that Brew Dog had opened the door for them."

Last week's column touched on some of the "labels" associated with Brewdog, today is a little chit chat with JAMES WATT, one half of the men behind(more like in front?) of Brewdog.

HERE's the full text :-
Q:- after almost 7 years from when you started, is brewing beer still a fun thing?
JAMES:-Absolutely, we wouldn’t be here if we weren’t having fun. We set out to push the limits on people’s conceptualization of beer, and as far as we are concerned, there is no end to those limits. We're always innovating and experimenting and that’s where we get most of our fun from. The great feedback we receive from our long term fans, and new craft beer converts gives us the motivation to keep going. 

Q:-you guys are well known for some crazy beers, having had some fun doing that over the years---between a crazy beer & a session beer--what would be your choice now?
JAMES:-Our guiding principle is we make beers that we’d love to drink. If we love it, others will too. It's working for us so far!

Q:-any particular beer style as focal point in the next 1-2 years?
JAMES:-No. Experimentation and limitless opportunities are what we go for.

Q:-what were perhaps some bigger challenges along the way? 
JAMES:-Transporting large fermentation tanks up to Northern Scotland does pose a set of logistical challenges.

A challenge perhaps, and one I think we’ve successfully overcome, is getting craft beer into the hands of more people. When we started off in 2007, many may have brushed aside the craft beer scene as a fad, or a sub-culture that was doomed to eternally remain on the margins. Today, the craft beer landscape in the UK is a fruitful, exciting and burgeoning one full of incredibly eclectic brewers and their beers. It's a totally different outlook, and one we are insanely proud to be a part of,

Q:-is there a set target to brew some new beers within a given time frame?

JAMES:-We don't limit or set targets for ideas, we continuously coming up with new concepts for beers. Ideas can come to you in the most peculiar places. 

Q:-the next 1-2 years, can we expect some collaboration brews with the US breweries?

JAMES:- Absolutely. You’ll be able to see what we’ve been up to stateside on the new series of BrewDogs!  (counted as commercial time?)

Q:-some drinkers have love-hate emotions with Brewdog(oh, seems going to US to make TV shows are more important now, oh..the beers are getting more pricey now...)--what do you say to this?

JAMES:-Give them a glass of one of ours beers and ask them to judge us by what is in the glass, not outside of it. It's what we live and die by, and it's the reason we exist.

Q:-your take on Asia's craft beer scene?

JAMES:-There’s definitely a thirst for craft beers, and it’s growing considerably year by year. The fake BrewDog bar in China I guess, is a weird validation of this point. Tokyo in particular is big on craft beer, and we’re glad to be able to be part of the scene in Japan!

There’s also a vibrant craft beer scene in Singapore- a few bottle shops and restaurants are doing their best to resist the dominance of monolithic lagers. BrewDog Singapore next? Who knows…

Q:-we get Brewdog beers here in KL, any words to your fans?JAMES:- Love hops and live the dream  ( one could say this is commercial time or just reinforcing the faith)

Q:-any words to first time craft drinkers?

JAMES:-Welcome to our world. Enjoy your stay.

Q:- and to those who are unwilling to try new things such as craft?

JAMES:-“Here, drink this” (and pass them a glass of Punk IPA)--( this one is definitely counted as commercial time....:)

BELOW A BIT MORE that's not included in the newspaper weekly column:-

The first Brewdog bar in Asia was in China( of course we read  about your open letter to whoever did that)....ok...in Roppongi, Tokyo....can we expect more Brewdog bar in other Asia cities any sooner? and if yes...possible to disclose where and when?

JAMES:-At the moment, we can’t disclose where. But rest assured, we’re still scouting, and should be able to provide an announcement toward the end of the year.

For a Brewdog bar in Asia, the guest list on taps( and  bottle list)...is it purely the decision of the local bar owner or Brewdog would insist on certain combination/rules? ( if this is not too sensitive an information to disclose)

JAMES:-All our international bars have 50% of their taps pouring BrewDog at any one time, and the other 50% are dedicated to amazing guest breweries' beers. The managers have discretion over what beers they buy in, but we have an international bars manager (our resident Mr World) who oversees this to check out what they're offering. It's a great way to discover new breweries local to these regions!

NEXT WEEK---BEERS FROM THE LAND OF "QI YI"(perculiar) 

WEEK 17--The Bad Boys from Aberdeen--part 1/2

变革很多时候都起源于对现况的不满。

在撞意啤酒的世界中，有很多酿酒师都是因为同一个原因开始自酿，然后把小小的自酿发扬光大到很多不同城市去。

这期说的是两个男人+一只狗的故事。

尽管很多人对“酿狗”（BREWDOG）有各种不同看法，有一个情况是不容置疑的，那就是他们不按牌理出招的方式很大程度上掀起了英国本土撞意啤酒界的变革。

熟悉'酿狗“故事的会知道这期说的其实都是一些”陈年旧事”，不过，作为了解一个品牌的起点，“温故知新”一下也不错。

下期有跟“酿狗”灵魂人物之一JAMES WATT的简短聊天记。

This is the story of 2 guys & a dog.

Changes usually occur due to dissatisfaction with the "current" state of affairs(or the lack of it), that's how many brewers started, and some went on to supply beers to different cities in different continents. 

To some people, Brewdog is a name synonymous with controversial issues, but say what you like about the 2 guys who started and kept rolling the brand to world stage, the emergence of Brewdog and their unorthodox way of dealing with some traditional issues did brought big changes to  UK craft brew scene....

here's some QUOTES from the weekly column :-
THESE were some labels associated with them:-
1) born TV personalities( high profile, never afraid of being under the spotlight...)

2)the bad boys that don't give a damn about tradition( that they would challenge restrictions, rules, tradition with whatever ways they could..)

3)publicity "stuntmen"(the relentless chase of creating the world's strongest/highest abv beer) 

4) the hands that changed the 300 years old law( the world smallest protest with dwarf that brought in the new measurement of 2/3pint)

5) the guys who injected new life into the very dull UK beer scene( not just the sarcastic ways of blowing factory beers up the sky or using as bowling pins--the more important part is the beers brewed)

6)the kids who stand up to giant(the Diageo case where an already decided awards was given to someone else is well documented..)

"from the first big contract they secured with a supermarket chain where beers were filled by hands to the recent spanking new brewery---Brewdog has become a success story with beers available in many different cities around the world...."

"James & Martin--are they just bad boys who disregard and challenge & break traditions, set rules OR guys who are good at marketing & publicity?---i would say more the latter)

NEXT WEEK---chit chat with JAMES WATT

WEEK 16--BEERFEST 2014---some BEERS

三四天时间，400多种不同啤酒，扣除大厂啤酒，只是撞意啤酒也至少有一半以上不同类别选择，怎么喝才是？

这是在啤酒节面对的“幸福烦恼”。

三天下来，个人经验总结，喝的太少，完全不能全面客观的说喝过什么，有好多没提到的品牌啤酒都没喝到，与其说是今年新加坡啤酒节的啤酒介绍，更像是个人非常小量尝味报告。

明年啤酒节是不是应该要改变方式多点尝试小品牌，不那么盛名牌子啤酒？

This week we talk about some beers tasted during the 3 days at Beerfest Asia 2014. The beers mentioned in the weekly column were very much basing on personal taste.

The list is not a true reflection of the number of good beers available during the Beerfest as there were many other brewers beers that I did not mentioned nor tasted during the short 3 days period.

As per what's published in the weekly column, here's some of the beers tasted and mentioned:-

QOUTES:-

"Due to limited personal capacity, some beers that are available in KL from time to time, such as Hitachino Nest(Japan), Brewdog, Harviestoun(Scotland),Nogne(Norway), Mikkeller(Denmark), Rouge, Victory, Anderson Valley( USA) were deliberately skipped"

"De Molen(Holland) is a bit hard to come by here in KL, was a pleasant surprise to find  "hell & damnation" on tap---as well Blossom from TO OL(Denmark)---and low abv( 5.4%) "Punchline porter" from Magic Rock( UK).."

"Stone will be available in KL soon, selectively tasted "Smoked porter with chipotle peppers"  and "oaked arrogant bastard ale"

"Deschutes beers been made available here in KL, but not this limited edition "Mirror Mirror" barley wine---had a small sip courtesy of someone else's bottle( thanks bro)---to new friends who just started drinking craft---"handle with care" when faced with a barley wine though...."

"Lagunitas--lovely session beers---"Daytime" & "A little sumpin' sumpin'"----as for the newly introduced Heretic also from the US, tasted 2 porter---"Chocolate Hazelnut" & "Shallow Grave"--nice ones"

"it's been a long time coming that UK beers has got a reputation of being kind of dull--but this Beerfest showcase some interesting new brews from the UK...."

"Buxton's "Imperial Black Ipa" is very much comparable to the US brew's reputation of "heavy handed when using hops" , while the golden color "Axe Edge" ipa is plesant.."

"Beavertown---a bit of interesting back ground for rock music lovers---as the master brewer Logan Plant is celebrity in the UK with a even bigger name father( if you know LED ZEPPELIN--you would know who Robert Plant is)--as for the beers--"Gamma Ray" is a nice pale ale---the collaboration fruit beer"Rubus Maximus" with WILD BEER( also another new UK brew brand) is sour and refreshing,..."

NEXT WEEK--The story of 2 guys & a Dog.....

WEEK 15--BEERFEST ASIA 2014--WALK ABOUT

啤酒节是本地欠缺的活动。特别是以撞意啤酒为主的。

所以去了新加坡看看每年都举行的啤酒节。

新加坡啤酒节也有大厂啤酒，威士忌等等其他类别参与，不过，撞意啤酒占据了重要比例，也有很多人是冲着有什么新的，平时少见的CRAFT BEER而来，是可喜现象。

啤酒节当然是大卖场，也是大派对，个人觉得唯一问题是，三天时间说多不多，然而等待赏味的啤酒确实很多，就算个人喜好扣除一半以上，还是有至少几十种不同类别啤酒等着。

下篇会根据个人口味，说说三天内喝到什么比较有印象的啤酒。

This week is a very brief walk about, some observations about the recently concluded BEERFEST ASIA 2014.

Spending 3 days in a beerfest with more than 400 different kind of beers is hardly enough time to sample much of what's on offer.

Quotes:-

"drinking nice beers with plastic cup is hardly ideal..in a way not  SHIOK(fun) at all---but considering the number of people visiting, it is still acceptable."

"though most craft beers were selling for Sing dollar 10-15 per glass, in some cases cost even more, there were still many takers..."

"many who help out at the craft beer booth are basically friends of the owner---they pay to drink on normal day--and work for free for maybe up to 8-9 hours each day during beerfest---this is the beauty of craft beer spirit." 

"a daily scene--- he or she will be holding a cup full of beer--and then share it with friend/friends---people are literally "kissing"with the same cup of beer--but they just don't mind at all--craft beer is about sharing---because there's too many good beers out there to share..."

"there's many pretty girls representing big name factory beers or hard liquor brands roaming around the venue, trying to promote their line of products...but whenever the girls approach a table full of craft beer drinkers---the "reverse promotion" started....craft drinkers would be asking the promoters to try out craft....."

*the above photo is courtesy of Sharon Chan---whose name was accidentally left out, instead credited with another photo provider's name on the newspaper column print version.

NEXT WEEK---beers tasted during the fest.

WEEK 14--chit chat with TOBIAS--TO OL(PART 2/2)

对喜欢北欧啤酒（TO OL, MIKKELLER, NOGNE, AMAGER)的本地朋友来说，过去几天，还有至少未来一两个星期会是不错的日子。。因为这些酿酒师的啤酒都在本地以瓶子或啤酒泵“鲜啤”姿态出现着。

单单TO OL 来说，目前上了啤酒泵的是低酒精度淡啤HOP LOVE PILS。

上星期和TOBIAS聊了一些啤酒事，这期继续。。

This past few days and coming 1-2 week should be very good if you happened to be in KL and love beers from the Northern Europe--namely TO OL, MIKKELLER, NOGNE, AMAGER...there are some nice beers from these guys currently available here either on tap or in bottles ...

in the case of TO OL, the one currently on tap is HOP LOVE PILS.

we continue with last week's chit chat with TOBIAS:-

Q:-Do you like ASIAN food( fruits/local beverages included)?

TOBIAS:-We love Chinese dim sum fast food. We love everything fermented or aged food products, including beverages and food. We love most of the Asian cuisine as a whole. I think our IPA's and sessions beers are well suited for this fresh, honest kitchen.

Q:-Craft beer scene in ASIA as a whole is still very much lagging behind Europe/US market...anything you noticed that you would like to share with us?
TOBIAS:-I think the amount of passion is a big difference. Since the craft beer scene is so small in Asia, the people who are working with it now are really dedicated and first movers. I like to be in an environment where everything is new and inspiring.

Q:-Your beers are available here as well as other Asia cities, any words/message to drinkers who love your beers?
TOBIAS:-Well, a big thank you for supporting us and making our dream come true. I can guarantee them, that if you continue supporting Danish Craft beer like To Øl, Mikkeller or Amager, we will continue to make interesting beers for you!

Q:-To someone who is drinking craft for the very first time, what would be your "advise"?
TOBIAS:-That they should be open minded and forget everything they know about beer, because it's probably a standard lager which is their comparison. If you stay open minded, most craft beer should be just fine. But if you expect a lager while drinking a black ipa or something else, you would get disappointed.

Q:-To someone who is reluctant to try craft beer?
TOBIAS:-Try it out! nothing happens if you don't try it. And nothing bad happens if you try it, worst case is that you don't like the beer. Well, then try another craft beer and see if it suits you! 

Q:-Travelling to beer festivals, business trip or even just pure chill out trip, does it inspire you in any way?

TOBIAS;-: I think as a gypsy brewer, we need to travel and meet new people to get inspired about what's going on in the craft beer world. I we only stayed at home, we would never know what's going on in the big world and so we seek out a lot of new inspiration from other countries/breweries.

Q:-Looking back from where you started, any difficult moments?
TOBIAS:-After got a basic grasp of legislation, accounting and food regulations, it has been pretty easy. I like that in the craft beer community, most people started out as amateurs, home brewers or beer geeks. So we are all sort of in the same boat.

Q:-between a "crazy beer" & something more easily accepted by majority, which would be your choice of brew?
TOBIAS;-We still make beers that me and Tore like to drink ourselves. That's the centerpiece of our brewery. We don't brew for market shares or what's "hot" for the moment. So, depending on our mood, it can be a crazy beer or a session, balance beer.