A recent report by Ernst & Young has shown the importance of beer consumption, both as an indicator and as a principal dynamic to the economy. Commissioned by Brewers of Europe, a beer industry trade group, the study highlighted several key points which will help justify why you should be having a pint or two tonight.

While almost three-quarters of the jobs associated with beer consumption have nothing to do with breweries, there are tons of other jobs that are linked to the all the malt and hops. Think about all those jobs in restaurants, hotels and bars, all these jobs in these related industries support jobs in other industries. All of a sudden, you get a sense of how tugging on one string unravels everything else, and not just beer, but every industry. Unfortunately, the economic downturn has precipitated a decline in beer consumption. Remaining consumption has to a large extent shifted to in-home, which means corollary job losses in industries closely tied to away-from-home beer consumption.

The ripple effects don’t stop there. People who are unemployed don’t pay taxes and collect benefits. Governments wind up footing the bill while taking in less income. If this double whammy is serious enough, which it has been during this downturn, governments are forced to cut spending through layoffs, which further reduces beer consumption. It’s a vicious cycle that feeds on itself. Something worth toying over a pint…

Getting drunk is not cool.

Boozing till you puke is not cool.

Losing your mobile phone or wallet after a few drinks is not cool.

Sure, we’ve all been guilty of these at some point but the point now is that losing self-control when drinking is truly anti-social behaviour. But this seems to be an escalating social issue among youths who binge drink to be embraced by their friends. But what exactly is binge drinking? Ministry of Health has publicly stated that this occurs with the consumption of 5 or more alcoholic drinks for guys, and 4 or more for ladies, in a single session.

We don’t believe that this is the way to enjoy a good beer, whisky or wine. After all, you won’t be able to appreciate the goodness of each drop when you’re tipsy.  Hence, we’re supporting Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore’s ‘Get Your Sexy Back’ campaign to encourage responsible drinking among youths and adults alike. Across town, keep a lookout for 20 life-sized posters, depicting youths in “very un-cool” drunken poses. There’ll be QR codes on each poster so if you see them, snap and share the images with your friends via Facebook and Twitter, and help spread the message that losing control when drinking is really not cool. Get Your Sexy Back.

To see all pictures of the Get Your Sexy Back campaign,  visit www.facebook.com/GYSB.sg

This year, Guinness Singapore is holding the celebration at Muddy Murphy’s tonight, 22 September, from 6 to 8pm with Guinness pints at $10 and with limited t-shirts up for grabs!

Be there at 1759h to be part of the toast to Arthur!

At BeerFest Asia 2011
Singapore, 16 June 2011 – BeerFest Asia 2011 opened today with the inaugural Asia Brewers’ Conference, culminating in the much anticipated Asia Beer Awards Dinner, an integral part of the four-day long BeerFest celebrations. Over 200 luminaries, industry heavy weights and special guests converged at Marina Promenade, the festival grounds, in anticipation of this coveted awards ceremony, recognising the best beers from around the world.
In its sophomore year, the current edition of the Asia Beer Awards salutes the finest international beers, brewed from around the world – 450 different beers originating from 47 different countries vying for top honours in 36 categories.

Blind judging was done on 14 & 15 June at Red Dot Brewhouse, Boat Quay. More than 15 judges comprising international speakers specially flown in for the Asian Brewers’ Conference, local brewers and industry figureheads diligently conducted the tastings over 2 full days.
Top Honours Go to….
Singapore based Pump Room, clinching 11 awards, including the Best of Show for its Pump Room Golden Ale. Kudos to brewers Hayman Tin and Scott Baczet for their success:
6 Gold Awards:
Category Submission
Strong Ale/ Lager (Asia) Pump Room
Porter (Asia) Pump Room Porter
India Pale Ale (Asia) Pump Room IPA
Golden Ale (Asia) Pump Room Gold
Golden Ale (World) Pump Room Gold
Porter (World) Pump Room Porter
3 Silver Awards:
Category Submission
Wheat/ Wit/ Wiess (Asia) Pump Room Wheat
Pale Ale/ Amber Ale (Asia) Pump Room IPA
Pale Ale/ Amber Ale (World) Pump Room IPA
1 Bronze Award:
Category Submission
India Pale Ale (World) Pump Room IPA
Asia Beer Awards/ Page 2
MOA Beers, a first time entrant at the BeerFest Asia Beer Awards swept 10 awards. Brewed in New Zealand, MOA craft beers bagged the following:
Gold Awards:
Category Submission
Belgium Golden Ale (Asia) MOA St Joseph’s
Seasonal Ale (Asia) MOA Methode Ale
Stout (Asia) MOA Imperial Stout
Wheat/ Wit/ Weiss (Asia) MOA Revolution
Pale Ale/ Amber Ale (Asia) MOA Pale
Pale Ale/ Amber Ale (World) MOA Pale
Silver Awards:
Category Submission
Flavoured Beer/ Fruit Beer (Asia) MOA Breakfast
Belgium Golden Ale (World) MOA St Joseph’s
Bronze Awards:
Category Submission
Lager (Asia) MOA
Stout (World) MOA Imperial Stout
Archipelago Brewery Company, with its small batch brewing techniques and excellent products, inspired by the adventure, romance and craftsmanship of bespoke handcrafted beers complete the winners’ circle at the Asia Beer Awards ceremony. Here are the 7 awards garnered:
Gold Award:
Category Submission
International Pub Ale (Asia) Archipelago
Silver Awards:
Category Submission
India Pale Ale (Asia) Archipelago IPA
Golden Ale (Asia) Archipelago Gold
Brown Ale (Asia) Archipelago Irish Ale
Brown Ale (World) Archipelago Irish Ale
Golden Ale (World) Archipelago Gold
Bronze Awards:
Category Submission
International Pub Ale (World) Archipelago
####

The Complete Results:
Belgium Golden Ale (World)
Gold
St Martin Blonde
Silver
MOA St Joseph’s
Bronze
Victory Golden Monkey
Belgium Golden Ale (Asia)
Gold
MOA St Joseph’s
Seasonal Ale (World)
Gold
Holzfass Bier
Silver
Schneider Weiss Aventinus Weizen Eisbock
Bronze
Birrada Ris
Seasonal Ale (Asia)
Gold
MOA Methode Ale
Flavoured Beer/Fruit Beer (World)
Gold
Timmerman’s Peach
Silver
Timmerman’s Strawberry
Bronze
Honey Brew
Flavoured Beer/Fruit Beer (Asia)
Gold
Jazz Lychee
Silver
MOA Breakfast
Belgium Dark (World)
Gold
Calvinus Noir
Silver
St Martin Brun
Bronze
St Martin Noel
Dunkel Wiessen (World)
Golf
Schneider Weisse Unser Aventinus
Silver
Jazz Dunkel
Dunkel Wiessen (Asia)
Gold
Jazz Dunkel
Silver
AstraGold
Stout (World)
Gold
Java Stout
Silver
Stark Raven
Bronze
MOA Imperial Stout
Asia Beer Awards/ Page 4
Stout (Asia)
Gold
MOA Imperial Stout
Silver
ABC
Bronze
Storm Stout
Strong Ale/Lager (World)
Gold
Owd Roger
Silver
Golden Monkey Victory
Bronze
Stone Double Bastard
Strong Ale/Lager (Asia)
Gold
Pump Room
Porter (World)
Gold
Pump Room Porter
Silver
Black Mac
Bronze
Stone Smoked Porter
Porter (Asia)
Gold
Pump Room Porter
Silver
Black Mac
Lager (World)
Gold
Carlsberg Gold
Silver
Steinlager Classic
Bronze
Starker Lager Fresh
Lager (Asia)
Gold
Starker
Silver
Jazz
Bronze
MOA
Wheat/Wit/Wiess (World)
Gold and Silver medal
Schneider Weiss Mein Grungs
Bronze
VE Dett Wit
Wheat/Wit/Wiess (Asia)
Gold
MOA Revolution
Silver
Pump Room Wheat
Bronze
White Ant Wit
India Pale Ale (World)
Gold
Marsten’s Old Empire
Silver
BrewDog Punk IPA
Bronze
Pump Room IPA
Asia Beer Awards/ Page 5
India Pale Ale (Asia)
Gold
Pump Room IPA
Silver
Archipelago IPA
Pale Ale/Amber Ale (World)
Gold
MOA Pale
Silver
Pump Room IPA
Bronze
Brakspear Oxford Gold
Pale Ale/Amber Ale (Asia)
Gold
MOA Pale
Silver
Pump Room IPA
Bronze
I-Brew IPA
Pilsner (World)
Gold
Mac’s
Silver
I-Brew
Bronze
Belgium Pils
Pilsner (Asia)
Gold
Mac’s
Silver
I-Brew
Bronze
Jazz Premium
International Pub Ale (World)
Silver
Duchy Original Organic Ruby
Bronze
Archipelago
International Pub Ale (Asia)
Gold
Archipelago
Golden Ale (World)
Gold
Pump Room Gold
Silver
Archipelago Gold
Bronze
Storm Gold
Golden Ale (Asia)
Gold
Pump Room Gold
Silver
Archipelago Gold
Bronze
Storm Gold
Best of Show
Pump Room Golden
Asia Beer Awards/ Page 6
Cider (World)
Gold
Weka Pair
Silver
Weka Apple
Bronze
Magners Pear
Cider (Asia)
Gold
Weka Pear
Silver
Weka Apple
Bronze
Razor Back
Low Carb Lager (World)
Gold
Skinny Green
Silver
Yanjing
Bronze
Mac’s
Low Carb Lager (Asia)
Gold
Skinny Green
Silver
Yanjing
Bronze
Mac’s
Brown Ale (World)
Silver
Archipelago Irish Ale
Bronze
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
Brown Ale (Asia)
Silver
Archipelago Irish Ale

The Asia Beer Awards is a part of BeerFest Asia 2011, held from 16 through 19 June 2011. For more information on BeerFest, please visit www.beerfestasia.com
For ticketing, call SISTIC (65) 6348 5555 or log onto www.sistic.com.sg

Enjoying a pint of India Pale Ale is an acquired taste, given its tendency for being very hoppy, dry and bitter. And often with a higher alcohol level. If you’re new to the world of IPA, don’t start your session with one and don’t try chugging a few down at a sitting. We’re fans of IPA but in Singapore, the only place you’ll be assured of IPA on tap is Brewerkz, which by all accounts is a good brew, having notched several awards to show for it. So when we found out that Archipelago Brewery had launched their own IPA, we were thrilled, it’s about time!

A brewmaster once said, "Never underestimate what a good glass can do for beer."

The Archipelago Hickory Smoked IPA is a unique hybrid of beer styles, the popular English India Pale Ale & the German smoked Rauchbier styles, with American hops, resulting in a beer tasting closer to the American IPAs that the English. Making this brew was a collaboration with Smokey’s BBQ restaurant (located at 73 Joo Chiat Place) where the Hickory wood chips used by Smokey’s BBQ, an authentic smokehouse restaurant, to smoke the malt to create this limited edition Hickory Smoked IPA.

Because it’s smoked, it’s got a beautiful amber glow and very aromatic. Made with a combination of three American hops – Centennial, Chinook & Tomahawk – which are all commonly used in a lot of American pale ales, the Hickory Smoked IPA has a savoury yet citrus taste. If you’re new to IPAs, it may need a few sips to start appreciating the smoky aftertaste on the palate and scents of smoky essences. Here’s a tip, have it at Smokey’s BBQ and pair it with their pulled pork, which is cooked over 18hours or even with a bowl of their chilli. It’s a perfect combination!

A chef once said, "Never underestimate what food and do for a beer."

If you’re into the whiskeys like Oban, you’ll love this beer, the smoky aftertaste is quite similar.

The Archipelago Hickory Smoked IPA was created for Beerfest 2011 and will be available at Smokey’s BBQ and other Archipelago concept bars in the coming weeks.

An uncle once said, "Never underestimate what a beer babe can do for beer."

'Now let's see how much I won't spill if I pour it from this high...'

We posted about Diageo’s search for the best – make that World Class – bartender. Now here’s an update on how this arduous quest to seek out the best mixologist is going. Thanks to Michelle Lee of ImpactAsia, PR agency for this event, for these notes.

As we head towards the National Finals on 13 June, for the third and final challenge held last week, Akihiro Eguchi of Orgo and Zach Elias of TAB tied for the top spot with their original serves.

Aki’s creation is already available for $25++ and we’ll update you on Zach’s drink availability shortly. Raveen Misra of Nektar placed a close second and his drink will start selling on the 30^th for $26++. We will have more info and images of these drinks to share soon.

The National Finals will see four SG finalists competing to represent Singapore at the Global Finals in New Delhi this July.

-          Patrick, Tippling Club (winner of Ron Zacapa rum + service ritual challenge)

-          Raveen Misra, Nektar (winner of Ketel One vodka + local produce challenge)

-          Akihiro Eguchi, Orgo  (winner of Singleton and classic malts + food pairing challenge)

-          Zach Elias, TAB(winner of Singleton and classic malts + food pairing challenge)

The judging panel will comprise industry leaders, Diageo representatives and an overseas guest judge – Carson Quinn, Bar Consultant at Opco Indonesia and an important personality in the Indonesian bar scene.

To follow World Class SMI, visit http://www.facebook.com/worldclass.smi.

3 years in a row. 4 consecutive festival days. 250 beers from 20 countries. All from $3 a pop.

These are just some numbers to tease you with but the one that’s had us at hello is the opportunity to sample more than 250 beers in a single seating. In a repeat of the past 2 years, Beerfest Asia 2011 makes a re-appearance at the Marina Promenade behind the Singapore Flyer from 16 to 19 June 2011.

Beers and ciders from Armenia to Sweden to the Czech Republic will be available for sale on the festival grounds. If you love your India Pale Ale(IPA), check out the booth by Beerstyle Distribution who will be carrying brews from American favourites like Rogue and Stone. Commercial brewers like Carlsberg will also be showcasing their portfolio of brands with the inclusion of the Russian Baltika and crowd favourite Somersby Cider. And Singapore’s newest mircobrewer AdstraGold will also be quenching thirsts at the festival.

The U2 Show - Achtung Baby

Beerfest Asia 2011 will also see the debut of the All Star Showstoppers along with three tribute experiences of The Beatles, The Blues Brothers and The Rolling Stones. Tribute bands “The Killer Queen” and “The U2 Show – Achtung Baby” who performed last year are back by popular demand to belt out classic hits.

Asia Beer Awards will be staged again this year and for the first time, the Asia Brewers’ Conference will be held on the trade day (16 June 2011) of Beerfest Asia 2011.

Tickets are on sale at www.sistic.com.sg from $15 onwards including two free beers for selected tiers. For more information on Beerfest Asia 2011, visit the official website at www.beerfestasia.com.

We blogged about the kick-off of the 2011 Diageo Reserve World Class season back in February where we featured the 2010 winner Erik Lorincz and his potion.  Singapore’s search for our representative at the global finals of Diageo Reserve World Class 2011 in India is underway with bartenders having being put through a series of challenges.

While we’re sure most of you have been adventurous with mixing drinks, especially at wedding dinners with the traditional lethal concoction of Guinness, Martell VSOP, chilli stirred with a raw egg for the groom, being World Class takes a little more than a sense of deviousness. To be anointed Diageo Reserve World Class bartender is an arduous process. It includes a 6-month long programme which covers training and three challenges followed by national finals, before culminating at a week-long global finals in New Delhi. Making this year’s event more delightful for the public, for the first time ever, some of the most impressive cocktails entered for the challenges are being served on the bar counter.

Five signature serves, the best from the first two challenges, made with either Ron Zacapa Rum or Ketel One Vodka, are being served at the respective bars where the creators can be found. From truffle infused rum and nitro frozen chocolate meringues to Burmese honey and curry leaves – these clever and creative drinks deserve a place in any aficionado’s little black book of cocktails.

Patrick's Signature Ron Zacapa - by Myat Zaw Win a.k.a. Patrick at Tippling Club

Distinto-Diferente - by Zach Elias at TAB

Indulgence in the Clouds - by Akihiro Eguchi at Orgo

Ketel Kurrie - by Raveen Misra at Nektar

Hello Mother - by Myat Zaw Win a.k.a. Patrick at Tippling Club

Home - by Zheng Pan at No. 5 Emerald Hill

Other than Home, all the drinks are being served at their respective bars between $18 to $30. If you would like to follow the progress of this event, check out their Facebook page.

This just in: Fellow drinkers, Diageo’s agency has just informed us that ‘the public will be able to sample the winning drinks from the final challenges at the respective bars after the national finals wrap up so those who are interested can have a taste of the creations presented at the finals although they are not able to attend.’

This shophouse bar bistro is set up by banker Celina Tan and her engineer husband Kok Fook Onn. Serves modern-style homemade food and boasts of an extensive drinks selection.

First off, thanks to my like-minded boss Howie for this latest Good Things Must Share post. Celina’s GastroBar is introducing two you-can’t-find-it-at-7-11 beers today and is on till 28th May – MOA (New Zealand) & Hitachino Nest Beer. Unfortunately its closed on Vesak Day, so those of you who want to enjoy a Buddhist bank holiday brew will have to look elsewhere. MOA is a brewery helmed by really quirky kiwis with a twisted sense of humour. And that always makes for good beer, we say! In their own words, ‘Brew using traditional costly, inefficient and labour intensive techniques’ and ‘Fifty years ago, before there were lesbians, this is what beer tasted like’.

None of that big beer commercial cost cutting methods for the good folks at MOA

Were there really no female homosexuals more than fifty years ago? Seriously, we didn't know! Thanks, MOA!

Hitachino Nest, on the other hand, is less irreverent (despite the cute cartoon owl logo), and its legacy has somewhat links to the Japanese royal family. Started as a sake brewery, it has since evolved into a craft brewery and they recently started a winery as well, having just acquired 4,000 sq metres of vineyard. The first batch of Merlot and Chardonnay were turned into 2 hectoliters of alcoholic grape beverage in 2004.

No mice flavoured beer from these guys... yet?

These guys are available in other parts of Asia such as Hong Kong and Shanghai. Now in Singapore.

MOA Tasting Notes

MOA ($16+ per bottle; $42+ for any 3 bottles)
A champagne-style beer brewed by wine-makers, is a naturally carbonated beer. Available in 4 different flavours:
Noir - Dark lager. Chocolate and roasted coffee beans dominate. A full
flavoured palate giving MOA Noir a long smooth finish.
Blanc - Wheat beer. Brewed with 65% wheat malt, 35% barley malt resulting in an elegantly smooth beer with hints of spice. Like most wheat beers, it has a cloudy appearance.
5 Hop Winter Ale – a blend of 5 premium malts & Nelson hops. Smooth velvety characters on the palate as well as a refreshing floral nose.
Pale Ale - Powerful floral citrus & tropical notes, best enjoyed just below room temperature.
Hitachino Nest ($14+ per bottle; $36+ for any 3 bottles)
Brewed by a sake brewer, has all the subtleness you expect from sake.
Available in 4 different flavours:
White Ale – A refreshing mildly hopped Belgian styled beer with a complex
flavor of coriander, orange peel, nutmeg.
Amber Ale - A reddish brown beer brewed with a rich malt and bitter hops
Japanese Classic Ale – Bottle-conditioned fine creamy head on top. Medium bodied feel with sweet bitter taste. It has a unique note of cedar
and complex spicy yet mild aroma of British traditional hops such as Kent
Goldings and Challenger.
Sweet Stout - A perfect mixture of coffee, chocolate, and roasted flavors in
the nose and on the palate. No bitterness, but sweet notes
throughout to the very finish.
…and there is great food in small plates to accompany
All prices are subject to 10% service charge. No GST will be applied.

We LOVE Celina’s title – FUN MANAGER – as she calls herself. One look at her designated role and you know at once you’ll get all the excitement of a craft beer and hostess dedicated to a good time  – presumably skills not picked up during her stint at the bank. Check out:
Celina’s GastroBar
51 Duxton Road
S089515
tel: 62201684

Just found out also that Hitachino Nest Beer is available at Meidi-Ya the Japanese supermart in Singapore at S$9.50 per 330ml bottle.

Apply now - Chairmen needed

You heard right, you and 14 of your friends could be lounging all by yourselves on the sands of  Nikoi Island for 3D/2N with Tiger Beer, worth $50,000!

Nikoi Island is a 15-hectare island located about 8km east of Bintan, Indonesia and is supposedly one of the most stunning islands in the region. There are 15 private villas on the island and all will be yours if you’re selected!

How much Tiger Beer would Robinson Crusoe trade for a hut?

What do you have to do? To be the one lucky winner, just purchase $30 of Tiger Beer in a single receipt from 1^st April to 31^st May 2011, and enter your information in Tiger Beer’s Facebook page.

To top it off, you’ll get to choose between a ‘Beach DJ Party’, a ‘Beach BBQ’ or a ‘Beach Camp Fire Dance’ to be organised during the island getaway, plus free flow Tiger Beer!

Purchase Tiger Beer at all participating bars, hotels, clubs, entertainment venues, restaurants, all major supermarkets as well as 7-Eleven, Cheers, Fairprice Xpress, Caltex and SPC outlets. However, the promotion is open only for persons above 18 years old. Receipts will need to be retained in order to claim the prizes.

For more information, log on to www.facebook.com/TigerBeerSingapore

By the way, we received a very nice blogger advisory hamper from the good Tiger folks – made us really feel like getting in the island getaway mood straightaway! Too bad both of us didn’t manage to look too hot in the Lei.

Blogger Advisory Kit contents: beach bag (nice), 6 pack Tiger Crystal (yums!), large black sun visor (a bit 'aunty', we thinks...), Lei (yay!) and contest information letter (needed that!)