The ethical dilemmas are flying thick and fast here at Australian Brews News this week. First Heineken and now today we have received a media release from the Local Taphouse announcing the line-up of their next SpecTAPular. Even though they are sponsors, we need to point out a little error in their media release.

The media release says “Australian Brews News recently declared their seasonal ‘SpecTAPular’ beer festivals were “becoming Australia’s greatest craft beer events”. “

Now, that’s just not true. In his column of April 6 this year, writer Pete Mitcham described the regular Taphouse events as “arguably becoming Australia’s greatest craft beer events.”

There is a difference and we felt that should point that out because it matters. There a few things better than a robust discussion over a beer. Is Stone & Wood Pacific Ale Australia’s best beer? Is Matilda Bay a craft brewery? Are the SpecTAPulars Australia’s greatest craft beer events (or is Good Beer Week to be regarded as one beer event or a series and is it better?) These are all things that are arguable…and arguable over good beer. We would be out of a very low paying job if anything was decided absolutely.

Greatest or not, the SpecTAPulars are well worth getting to…as is Melbourne from 16-21 May.

Now, the line-up for what will arguably be the greatest line-up of Kiwi beers on tap in one place in Australia…

• ‘Stonecutter’ Wee Heavy (Renaissance)
• ‘Hop Wired’ Imperial India Pale Ale (8 Wired)
• American Pale Ale (Tuatara)
• ‘One Trick Pony’ Imperial India Pale Ale (Epic)
• ‘Bird Dog’ Single Hopped Pale Ale (Emersons)
• Saison (Invercargill)
• ‘Rex Attitude’ single malt peat-smoked Golden Ale (Yeastie Boys)
• ‘Patriot Black IPA’ India Pale Ale (Croucher)
• Oyster Stout (Three Boys)
• ‘Whit Pig’ (Mussel Inn)
• ‘5 Hops’ Extra Special Bitter (Moa Beer)
• ‘Hop Head’ India Pale Ale (Brew Moon)
• Sauvin Pilsner (Twisted Hop)
• ‘Fair Maiden’ American Pale Ale (Founders)
• ‘Rogue Hop’ German Pilsner (Harringtons)
• ‘Patriot’s’ Pale Ale (Golden Bear)
• JC India Pale Ale (Townshend)
• Imperial Porter (Mike’s Brewery)
• Monk’s Habit Double/Imperial Red Ale (Cock & Bull/Steam Brewing)
• Harvest Pils (Sprig & Fern)
• ‘Apache’ Amber Ale (Golden Eagle)

Sponsored by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, The Kiwi Craft Beer SpecTAPular will showcase 20 of New Zealand’s best craft beers from 20 of the country’s leading craft breweries – all on tap. All kegs are imported especially for the event and there will be live
entertainment and food all day.

Entry is gold coin and 100% of all door proceeds will be donated to the NZ Brewers Guild fund to assist craft beer businesses affected by the Christchurch earthquake. The Local Taphouses have already donated almost $4000 to this fund and almost $50,000 to various charitable causes since opening three years ago.