back of the ferry

I’ve loved a brown/dark beer ever since I had my first beer almost 30 years ago.

My preference is to drink the dark off the tap, but Cavalier Brown defies that. I’ve had a couple of pints of this drop at the Saint & Rogue and it was okay, but there was something iffy about the aftertaste.

Tonight I had a stubbie poured into a pot ( I’m in Melbourne) and I’m a convert. Very smooth and a really pleasurable malty, caramel experience. Faith restored. Case please.

The venue is a new bar on the banks of the Yarra, next to the Polly Woodside in front of the Melbourne Convention Centre, called the Boatbuider’s Yard. This is sprawling place with a Gelato Bar and “BBQ” food. Plenty of outdoor space which means it could be packed or deserted given the vagaries of Melbourne’s weather. Tonight is very pleasant, but one week ago it was parka and beanie weather. There’s an ad for a $150 per head NYE party, so they must be confident of attracting a crowd.

Tap rack is so-so, but the fridge has a few gems. Kooinda Valhalla golden, Cavalier Brown and a real summer favourite – Boatrocker HoppBier. This is a ripper – a “beer garden pilsner”. If I knew how to attach two photos to an Email, I’d show it as well.