Later in the evening on my first night in Sydney I decided to go to the Redoak brewery which was a short walk from my hotel in the CBD. Sorry for the pictures, I only had my iPhone with me.
The bar itself was very inviting on the dark street. Warm light spills out and it looks rather cosy inside, though it was empty when I went in and clearly they were closing up soon.
The atmosphere was very nice and warming. Jazz music was playing in the background and the atmosphere was just incredibly pleasant, even though I was the only customer. A short while later a couple of guys came in for some beers so as long as I was being served, I kept ordering beers in half pints.
I started off with the Best Bitter (special beer, not a regular) and it was a bit of an eye opener. I could swear it was finished with cascade. I mentioned this to the bar man in case I got the wrong beer but apparently it was dry hopped with East Kent Goldings and if you use enough of them, you get very similar qualities to pacific northwest hops like cascade? News to me but if true, it might mean that the original IPA might actually have been closer to the modern American IPA that has taken the craft beer world by storm.
I would love some clarification on this if anyone has it to offer. Either way, it's a fabulous beer.
I also tried the Bock and it was another brilliant beer. I thought I got a smoked aroma in amongst the strong malt. Chocolate raisins, spicy and yeasty overtones and a very active mouthfeel, not overly carbonated, just tongue tingling.
I finished off with the Porter because they clearly wanted to go home, this was about 10:20 at night and as I found out, very little stays open in downtown Sydney after 11pm. The porter was the perfect beer to finish off with. It was absolutely lovely. In fact it was a little astounding. Velvet smooth and packed full of chocolate and coffee as you would expect. The finish was somewhat lactic with Brett or perhaps Lactobacillus which I hope was intentional as it gave a lovely finish. It was only slightly sour so I doubt it was an infection.
I have included a picture of the beer menu but to be honest, it's on their website anyway and easier to read.
The inside of the bar is quite nice and modern. The picures do not do it justice, again I apologise for the rubbish pictures. I promise I have better pictures for later articles from the Australia trip.
The bar itself was very inviting on the dark street. Warm light spills out and it looks rather cosy inside, though it was empty when I went in and clearly they were closing up soon.
The atmosphere was very nice and warming. Jazz music was playing in the background and the atmosphere was just incredibly pleasant, even though I was the only customer. A short while later a couple of guys came in for some beers so as long as I was being served, I kept ordering beers in half pints.
I started off with the Best Bitter (special beer, not a regular) and it was a bit of an eye opener. I could swear it was finished with cascade. I mentioned this to the bar man in case I got the wrong beer but apparently it was dry hopped with East Kent Goldings and if you use enough of them, you get very similar qualities to pacific northwest hops like cascade? News to me but if true, it might mean that the original IPA might actually have been closer to the modern American IPA that has taken the craft beer world by storm.
I would love some clarification on this if anyone has it to offer. Either way, it's a fabulous beer.
I also tried the Bock and it was another brilliant beer. I thought I got a smoked aroma in amongst the strong malt. Chocolate raisins, spicy and yeasty overtones and a very active mouthfeel, not overly carbonated, just tongue tingling.
I finished off with the Porter because they clearly wanted to go home, this was about 10:20 at night and as I found out, very little stays open in downtown Sydney after 11pm. The porter was the perfect beer to finish off with. It was absolutely lovely. In fact it was a little astounding. Velvet smooth and packed full of chocolate and coffee as you would expect. The finish was somewhat lactic with Brett or perhaps Lactobacillus which I hope was intentional as it gave a lovely finish. It was only slightly sour so I doubt it was an infection.
I have included a picture of the beer menu but to be honest, it's on their website anyway and easier to read.
The inside of the bar is quite nice and modern. The picures do not do it justice, again I apologise for the rubbish pictures. I promise I have better pictures for later articles from the Australia trip.
I had wanted to go back and eat here (as well as drink more beer) when my wife arrived but I never did get back and that is a big regret of mine. I'm not sure I could have afforded another trip there anyway.
I did not take a proper wander around but only these two vessels were in plain sight, I think they were bright tanks.
Overall I absolutely loved the place and wish I had been able to make it back though I expect my depleted bank account was happy I did not.
If I lived in Sydney and was on Sydney wages, this would be a regular haunt of mine I suspect.
really liked their baltic porter and farmboise foment i picked up at gbbf
ReplyDeleteIf only I had more time (and money) I could have spent many an hour there drinking beer and sampling their food menu.
ReplyDelete