By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
IT USED to be a way of getting a cheap, albeit sometimes nasty, frothy but the craft beer revolution is changing the perception of home brewing.
Geelong Craft Brewers secretary Alistair Bain said home brewing was alive and well in Geelong.
“The common perception of home-brew is not always positive, and that’s unfortunate,” Mr Bain said.
“Craft beer’s not just about cheap alcohol made at home.
“The average home brewer can now produce top-quality award-winning beers that compare favourably with their favourite commercial craft beers.
“Some of the beers from our members are superb and stand shoulder to shoulder with commercial beers any day of the week.
“There’s so much great information available to new and experienced brewers via the internet, books and, of course, clubs such as ours.
“Our club provides a friendly, fun and informative atmosphere for keen brewers to share and develop their love of craft beer and home brewing.”
Club members produce everything from Bohemian pilsners to Russian imperial stouts and everything in between.
They also served as judges and won awards at 2014’s state-wide Vicbrew awards, while president James Rimmer won last year’s Great Australian Beer Festival home-brew competition.
Mr Rimmer’s winning Schwarzbier, a German dark lager, will be available to sample at the 2015 festival on 21 February.
“It’s a gathering of like-minded home brewers and we’re keen to take the club to a more serious level,” Mr Bain said.
“We’re looking to attract people trying to make a good quality beer at home and to put the club on a more-professional and educational level.”
Mr Bain said more information about the club was available at geelongcraftbrewers.org or by phoning Mr Rimmer on 0411 565 701.
