By Darryl Barbour, President

Authorbox_president We've made it to May, and with winter just around the corner, remember that filling your hot liquor tun the night before the brew risks that layer of ice and a stark reminder how much warmer it is in bed … But we are brewers, we're tougher than that, and the cold weather makes for great stout and bock weather. Oh, that and easy lagering.

I trust that everyone heading off on the Sydney trip in just over a weeks time will have an absolute blast. Two great breweries and, I expect, even more great beers. For those of you sticking around, i'm scheduling a Presidential Brew Day for Saturday 15 May (Ed: now Saturday 22 May, with details to come in the forum).

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By Paul Haesler, Treasurer

Authorbox_treasurer I've been a single parent for the last month, so I'm just a tad disorganised and i'm eagerly awaiting Mrs Mozzie's return from OS. I'll keep this month's column short and sweet. I've been forking out lots of money this month on oxygen equipment, and all the expenses for next weeks Sydney trip (accommodation etc). If you have committed to either of these projects and haven't paid up yet, please do so pronto. Electronic transfer to the club's account is preferred, but I will take cash at the meeting if you are so inclined. The club bank account balance is looking a bit depleted at the moment due to the above, but only by recent standards. Previous treasurers would have been quite happy with it.

By Stuart Whytcross

Muhlen When in Germany, time must be put aside to visit Dortmund, Düsseldorf and Cologne, all of which are literally next door to each other. These cities are steeped in a proud brewing tradition, and when it comes to beer, they are as passionate as anyone.

The rivalry between Cologne and Düsseldorf is fierce and goes back hundreds of years. There are no road signs in either direction that will tell you how to get from one city to another, and apparently asking for a Kölsch bier in Düsseldorf, or an Alt bier in Cologne is enough to have you immediately escorted from the premises.

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By Patrick Baggoley

Debacle Debacle in Braddon is keen to become known as a high-quality beer destination and at the forefront of this noble aim are its beer degustation nights.

The Czech Beer Degustation on March 4 was Debacle’s third in what hopefully becomes a long tradition. While I didn’t attend the first, a German night, I was lucky enough to attend the Belgian night and based on that alone I’ll be doing whatever I can to make it to more.

The Czech night cost $85 per person which included five courses and five matching beers. And we’re talking decent serves of both.

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