Home-brewing king Neil Goldthorpe had a cure for whatever might ale ya

MANY merry moments were had at the Pindimar-Bundabah Home Brew Competition, held during the Pindimar Markets on Saturday, 24 October.

This year marked the silver anniversary of the local Home Brew Competition, marked with a special silver tankard.

The lucky winner was chosen as democratically as possible via a public taste-testing, including ranking of each brew for colour, clarity and flavour.

Eight brews in total were on the tasting menu this year, mostly from local entrants.

Several were repeat entries, each vying for the much-coveted right to have their name added to the perpetual Ron Richards Memorial Trophy.

There were yeasty pilsners, hoppy IPAs, strong and heady stouts, tapped-out draughts, and olds dark enough to prevent light itself from escaping – even a rare, but welcome, alcoholic ginger beer.

After the few hours that the tasting samples lasted, there emerged a clear winner.

Neil Goldthorpe made a clean sweep, with his stout, draught and ginger beer, taking out first, second and third places, respectively.

“Neil has competed before, and this year is his third victory,” brew competition organiser Kerrie Croaker told NOTA.

“The ginger beer was an unusual entry, but a nice surprise.”

The home brew competition is an annual event, and the organisers are always looking for entrants beyond the Myall Coast to attract brewers from further afield.

“We would love to see new brews at the competition, which has a People’s Choice Award judged by the public,” Croaker said.

Entry is free.

In its 25^th year, the original trophy is getting a little crowded, with the name shields almost all taken up. However, there’s room for two more winners.

Home brewing is as much a science as it is an art form. Pindimar-Bundabah hopes to be the seat of glory for new ways to enjoy the ancient beverage for years to come.

Anyone interested in competing can email their details to: kerrie@croaker.com.au.

By Thomas O’KEEFE