A confession for those who don't know me. I am a NERD!
This also includes a BEER NERD.
I just love all of the wonderful science that goes into crafting this glorious beverage that fills many of our lives with carbonated joy.
This was my second year judging at the Perth Royal Beer Show (WA's beer awards) and I was fortunate enough to be on a panel with an impressive team of very talented and hilarious beer producers.
My judging desk was situated alongside the legendary Ken Arrowsmith (the man on the Emu Bitter can). Not only is he a top fella, but an encyclopaedia of beer knowledge.
I sipped and swirled my way through around 100 glasses of beer over two days.
It sounds rather glamorous, but is a surprising amount of hard work (yes, I can hear you playing the world's smallest violin as you read this).
There was a 45% increase in both amateur and commercial beer entries this year, reaching a grand total of 570 beers. To accommodate for the extra tastings, another ten judges were added to the panel, with a total of 28 judges.
In the interests of judging confidentiality, I won't go into detail about the particular styles of beer I sipped and swirled, but there were some absolute crackers. Western Australia's beer producers are certainly at the top of their game.
I look forward to you seeing the results, following the announcement of the winners this Friday evening the 31st of July 2015.
Oh and while I have your attention, the Perth Royal Beer show will have a pop up bar at the Urban Orchard on Friday and Saturday the 11th and 12th of September this year, with over 20 taps of award winning beer on offer.
Cheers,
Fergo.