The Wig & Pen

Canberra is home to Australia's 3rd oldest brewery pub, the Wig & Pen, which brews all its own beer, on site, and does not bottle at all... so you have to visit them in person and taste their delightful ales right there, where they brew.

The manager behind the bar is knowlegable and extremely friendly and she recommended and poured us some of the best golden stuff I've ever tasted  (in particular the Sour Blonde which was both challenging and ever-so-alluring).

As Jase and I got writing our "beer notes" (as we do on all new tastings these days), the head brewer himself came out of the shadows, introduced himself, and spent some time talking beer with us.

This was a truly delightful, exciting, and unique afternoon.... evening..... night.

Eve's beer notes:

Tasting #1: Thirsty Worm Cider 5.6 - 5.9%, hand pressed
Look: pale yellow, ever-so-slight cloudiness, and a little effervescence with lingering bubbles.
Smell: Yeast
Feel: right, clean & spritzy
Taste: The smell of yeast is very strong & it's the first thing I taste, then crisp fresh apples.  There is a clean lemonness as well but it is not tart, it's more astringent if anything.  Horse blanket and flannel follow, but it is not an 'old' or murky taste; it's more like sour dough: fermented and ripe.
Verdict: Ripe apples and ripe sourdough.  Simple and delicious.  Go again.

Tasting #2: Real Blonde (wheat beer) 4.5%
Look: Weak wee with a little froth on top.
Smell: Lemon & yeast with a touch of ginger
Feel: Quite frothy through the mouth
Taste: The yeast is strong in this brew which dulls the brightness I sense trying to break through.  It's a little spicy & a little floral & I also find it slightly buttery.  I don;t usually write about wheat beer so this is a tough gig.  Overall I'd like it to be a little fresher.
Verdict: Sorry, not a winner.

Tasting #3:  Sour Blonde 4.6%, includes sour which is over two years old
Look: Medium gold
Smell: Apples & Musk, very aromatic
Feel: Smooth & silky
Taste: ....Not sure what this is exactly (apples, wheat, barley??)....  the manager just informed us this is a Belgian-style ale.
The pungent notes are very dominant and hope & malt playing second fiddle.  It's a strange flavour & difficult to describe - it's quite unlike anything I've ever tasted before.  Let's call it "funky".  It is to beer, as scotch is to red cordial (ie completely out there, very strong, almost unrecognisable), and it's entirely an acquired taste.  It's challenging but also very alluring.  It's bitter & dry.  There is lemon & apple present, and pine needles linger.
Verdict: I'm up for the challenge.

Tasting #4: Scarecrow Cream Ale 4.9%, contains polenta for something different.  Has won amateur brewer awards.
Look: Delightfully pale golden & clear.
Smell: Lollies, sugar.
Feel: Clean
Taste: Meh.  Too scared of hops and malt, this watery scarecrow is afraid of everything.  Ir's a full-strength beer designed for lovers of low-carb or low-alcohol beers.  Knock back six or eight and you'll be pissed without challenging your taste buds, but the journey will be as exciting as an elevator ride.  Vague vanilla, and perhaps musk come to the surface, but in essence, this beer has very little flavour other than smoke lingering yeasty notes.
Verdict?  I prefer the roller coaster.  You can keep your elevator ride.

Tasting #5: Rumpole Pale 5.1 - 5.4%
Look: Medium to dark gold with a tall head of tight bubbles which dissipates to a fine lace after a while.
Smell: Kiddy candy, like those necklaces you can eat.
Feel: Strong & creamy, velvet
Taste: Strong & bitter, with a sweet shadow.  Hops are musty and pungent.  Malt provides biscuit (and a deep biscuity burp).  Yeast is bubblegum and lolly.  All three elements to this powerful brew play a part to an opera of villains & heroes, each vying for centre stage in an attempt to attract your attention.  Ka-pow!
Verdict: Taste is well stronger than the alcohol content.  I like its attempt at sweetness amidst its obvious pungency & bitterness.