I have seen the new Mad Brewers advertised around the inter-world-web-place, but have not actually seen it on any shelves. (caviat - not shopped in last 24 hours) Begs the question, have you seen it anywhere, and are MB suffering from a poor distribution network getting fresh beer out into the suburbs?
I've seen it on tap at Sydney Rowing Club (before the official release party) The only place I've seen bottles was the Oak Barrel
I got it at a dodgy cellarbrations, I was quite impressed, $8 a bottle is a bit much for a mega brewer though
i demand that someone immediately tells me what this mad brewers is. also i demand that it be another hoppy hefe
From here: http://www.jamessquire.com.au/life/passions/mad-for-it You don’t have to be mad to work here, but it helps… That corny old saying can still be found adorning signs, coffee mugs and computer screens around the country. In most cases it generates a wry smile or, more likely, a slight groan. But at the Malt Shovel Brewery – the home of the James Squire craft beer range – it’s actually a job description. That’s not to cast aspersions on Head Brewer Jeff Potter and his band of dedicated beer-makers. It’s simply an observation. You see, for some time now, the Malt Shovel brewers have been leading a double life. By day, they are the Bruce Waynes of the craft beer world, brewing beers of rich flavours that are steeped in history and ooze smoothness and sophistication (witness James Squire One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale, for example). By night, though – or more accurately, given that craft brewing is a 24-hour process, whenever they get chance – those same brewers let their crazier sides run free, becoming not so much Batmen as The Jokers in the pack. Garden de Paradisi is the latest craft beer from the Mad Brewers. And with its citrusy, peppery notes and a dark history rooted in witch doctoring and voodoo, you’d be crazy not to give it a go… The men themselves are helpless to prevent it and can’t even say for certain when the transformation will next take place. All we know is that like a werewolf at full moon, there comes a time when the Malt Shovel Brewery is no longer the preserve of James Squire crew, but their wacky alter-egos: The Mad Brewers… Introducing… Garden de Paradisi For their latest release – the sixth on the Mad Brewers’ label – the mad men of malt (and hops) have turned to Africa for inspiration. Garden de Paradisi is brewed by Dan Feist and Josh Staines, two of the younger talents on the James Squire craft beer team. Intriguingly, it features a rare West African native spice that was once used by Ghanaian witch doctors (and, supposedly, Caribbean voodoo priests) and dubbed Grana Paradisi, or ‘Grains of Paradise’, by crafty medieval merchants to increase its value. Dan and Josh have used the spice to produce a unique take on a Bier de Blanche (or Witbier). Brewed with barley malt, unmalted wheat and oats, a healthy dose of lime and mandarin peel delivers a vibrant citrusy aroma, with the blend of Mosaic, Topaz and Summer hops providing light tropical notes. Garden de Paradisi is seasoned with ‘Grains of Paradise’ (which is closely related to cardamom) for added peppery spice and complexity for a dry, tart and refreshingly bitter finish. Dan is justifiably proud of the end result, saying the limited release beer was inspired not only by BelgianWitbier, but also summer itself. ‘I think we were able to capture just a little bit of sunshine in each and every bottle,’ he says. Such success owes much to Dan’s and Josh’s willingness to experiment – in the best Mad Brewers’ tradition. ‘Experimentation in the early stages really paid off,’ Josh recalls. ‘We’re both adventurous guys, so by combining our exploratory nature with rigorous quality control, we believe we have been able to create a unique beer which is both complex and balanced.’ Garden de Paradisi fact file ABV: 6.2% – higher than a typical craft beer to balance its bitterness and complexity Serving suggestions: traditional Moroccan and Tunisian dishes Bottle size: 568mL (pint) Cost: Single bottle RRP – $7.50; 12-pack carton RRP – $70 Availability: Click on the Find A Tap icon above to find a tap pouring near you. Garden de Paradisi is also available from all First Choice, Vintage Cellars bottle shops, selected Liquorland and BWS stores and all good independent bottle shops, while stocks last!
Apparently they are 3 for $20 at the Porters near me which I haven't been to. Other than that, expect to pay an average price (i.e. overpriced, at least in Sydney) for a fairly good hoppy wit. After all, you could always get assraped for a mediocre NZ IPA if you're so inclined. I swear they saw that Armageddon was selling well so they started offloading all their crap on us. We're supposed to trounce the NZ dollar, right?
Drink Hoegaarden it better, cheaper and does not claim to be something it is not. I mean African Fruits ???? WTF
finally got it at VC, but the distribution seems all over the place which is sad for what should be a major release from a brewery which should have good/fast channels for getting product to market. having said that, the beer was a dissapointment to this palate, I thought maybe my first was a bad bottle, but the second was the same
