My plans for a Mother’s Day beer column went out the window when I realised today, May 6, was my brother’s birthday.
If you want a Mother’s Day column you can find one here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/79433567/get-mum-some-drinkable-perfume–beer but this year I’m going to do Brother’s Day.
Back in the early 1990s Tim and I were regular consumers of the Mac’s range, particular Black Mac, which was probably the most sophisticated set of beers you could regularly lay your hands in those days. But in 2004 Tim played a role in starting my craft beer journey. On a trip home from Australia, I visited him in Christchurch and he offered me a Monteith’s Summer Ale. It was the beer that woke me up to the wider flavour possibilities on offer in New Zealand and it seemed light years ahead of anything I was drinking in Australia.
Tim and his family now live in Perth, and I’m back here, so in the spirit of that Summer Ale awakening, I figured it was time to return the favour and give him a taste of what he’s missing in New Zealand.
Call it the birthday six-pack. I might even send him one, if he’s lucky.