Rush for craft beers to satisfy hot and thirsty Taste of Tasmania crowds
Hot and thirsty crowds are lapping up uniquely Tasmanian craft beers at the Taste.
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BOUTIQUE beers are enjoying their time in the sun at the Taste of Tasmania, with some of the most sought-after varieties selling out.
This year’s festival has had an extra focus on Tasmanian independent brewers with a new “can-bar” on Parliament lawns drawing in hot and thirsty crowds.
T-Bone Brewing Company head brewer and owner Tom Bignell said the can-bar had required re-stocking several times over.
Mr Bignell said people were rushing for the refreshing varieties, with cans of T-bone’s Watermelon Wheat selling out on Sunday.
“We still have it in the keg, but the cans are completely sold out,” he said.
GALLERIES: DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 4 | RACE TO THE TASTE
T-Bone organised the can-bar to showcase a wide range of Tasmanian beers and ciders in one space, with about a dozen brewers and 34 beverages represented.
Other T-Bone favourites have been the Brekkie Juice and regular favourite Choc-Milk Stout, which have required restocking at the can-bar several times throughout the day. Mr Bignell said beers from Shambles Brewery and the Hobart Brewing Company had also gone well and Willie Smith’s Traditional Cider in the can had also required frequent re-stocking.
“I think people want to experiment a little and try different flavours, which is what the Taste is all about,” Mr Bignell said.
“We’re really happy with how things are going.”
SPIRIT OF SHARING MAKES ROOM FOR ALL AT THE TASTE
T-Bone Brewing Company stall worker Henry Burrows said it was clear people were looking for the thirst-quenching varieties in the warm weather.
“People are loving the Watermelon Wheat because it’s super sweet and super refreshing,” he said.
Willie Smith’s Apple Shed venue manager Cara McEwen said cider sales were also going well in the warm weather.
“It’s definitely cider-drinking weather,” she said.
“The can-bar keeps selling out of the traditional cider and we keep restocking them.”
She said it was the first time Willie Smith’s had used cans, and it had proven successful.
“It’s great to see people have embraced the cans.”
DISH OF THE DAY
Absinthe Friends, by Winsome Spirits. This herb-infused absinthe is a highly alcoholic, but tasty, liquor made by Winsome Spirits owner Brian Hatfield. He uses herbs grown on his Lower Longley property for the absinthe, including hyssop, fennel and wormwood – in keeping with the century-old European tradition.
His offerings also include a Crème de Cassis liqueur, using blackcurrants from the Huon Valley. The shots of absinthe come in glasses made from ice, for $10 each. And cocktails made from the Crème de Cassis, including a mojito, are $15 each. He is located on the Parliament Lawns.
ACT OF THE DAY
Miss Kiki is cheeky in pink, making kids giggle and adults blush during her 20-minute comedy shows.
She manages to squeeze herself through a stringless tennis racquet, a feat conquered after dislocating her bottom.
The trick is a tradition from her home-country “Cassador”, a European country so tiny she cannot find her way back. She will be appearing several times between 11am and 3pm on The Little Big Stage on Parliament Lawns until the end of the Taste.
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