GREAT HOPS BREWING DIDJA BRINGABEERALONG
Bob Hawke etched in history the 'Golden Microphone', and he hit the nail on the head – a beer in hand is the perfect instrument for conversation. So, grab this microphone, grab a mate and get talking.
Origin – Armidale, New South Wales
ABV – 4.5%
Size – 375mL can
Style – Pale Ale
Out drinking with mates until 4am the inspiration to commandeer a Fire and Rescue tanker to take nine drinking buddies on a joy ride came to, a now former Sydney firey, when a fire engine roared past them on the walk home. Three times over the legal limit, the roaring-drunk fireman and his gleeful passengers crossed the harbour bridge, not once but twice with sirens on and the lights flashing - and a police car in hot pursuit!
Similarly, a fire engine was Sam Martin's source of inspiration for founding the Great Hops Brewing Co. Looking for a vehicle to make an entrance to the Melbourne Cup, he stumbled across an old vintage fire truck on eBay. Deciding he had to have it, two days later, Martin and a mate were ferrying their purchase from Hobart to Station Pier on the Spirit of Tasmania before driving it on to Flemington. With their grand entrance behind them, Martin envisioned converting the truck into a tavern on the journey back to Sydney.
Five years on, the 1975 Acco Pumper is now featured on every can and sits pride of place in the middle of his brewhouse - fitted out with four beer taps. Yet while the foundation of Great Hops revolves around a great story, the superb beers have established this Armidale brewery as one to watch. The young brewery took silver and three bronze medals at the Australian brewing industry's biggest event, BrewCon. Martin credits the calibre of Great Hops beers, as its name would suggest, to the quality of the hops, which from the outset, he has been growing on the 40-acre block adjacent to the brewery. They are hops used to deliver this Didja Bringabeeralong. Described by Sam as a 'super pale that's a bit like a pale, but more pale and more super!', it has a slightly sweet nose and a touch of malt up front, making it the perfect crossover for rural drinkers and capital city crafties alike.
One can, and you'll forever say, 'fire truck you' to mass-produced lagers!
