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The Tip - Friday's Foursome Fix

Long-time beer drinker Ross Lewis gives some ideas on what to consume over the weekend.

Catch up with other beers on The Sip Archive

The weekend is around the corner and it is time to consider what to drink for enjoyment at various events over the coming days.

So The Sip has looked at four circumstances for enjoying a brew and suggested beers that might suit the occasion.

The list will change each week.

Stick with The Sip for news on the brews we choose and remember to consumer your beers responsibly.

Cheers!

Night on the town
Monkey’s Fist
Sail and Anchor were doing craft beer before most knew what it was. As a brewpub in the early 1980s, the Fremantle operation gave our palates something different from the mass produced lagers that flooded the market. Situations change and while the establishment at the port no longer produces brews the name lives on through a new range of drinks labelled to reflect the operation’s roots. Monkey’s Fist is actually a seafarers knot. In this case it is a Pale Ale. It tastes a bit more like a lager and is a refreshing ale. Monkey’s Fist has a bit of citrus on the nose and a slightly bitter finish.

Alcohol: 4.9 per cent. 1.3 standard drinks.

Watching sport on TV
3 Ravens English Extra Special Bitter
The Victorian team at 3 Ravens are still celebrating their win in the Best Small Brewery Category at the recent Australian International Beer Awards. It was partnered by the win of sister brewery Mash in the Best Beer section. 3 Ravens have gone back to the English roots to produce this Bitter. There is a malty edge to the drink but the Fuggle and Golding hops develop a nice aroma and taste on the front of the tongue. Its alcohol content allows punters to enjoy a few while cheering for their team.

Alcohol: 4.5 per cent. 1.2 standard drinks.

For the dinner party
Twisted Thistle
With the Glasgow Commonwealth Games around the corner it might be time to try a Scottish brew to spark conversation about who will be winning gold medals at the sports extravaganza. Belhaven has been producing beer since 1719 and the centuries of practice have enabled them to make a superb India Pale Ale. It looks wonderfully golden in glass and there is nothing twisted about the drop. Cascade and Challenger hops give this beer a wonderful floral feeling. There is some bitterness but it has a smooth finish. It is a fantastic accompaniment with food, particularly something spicy. The sweetness at the end is also a redeeming feature.

Alcohol: 5.3 per cent. 1.5 standard drinks.

Out to impress
Pernicious Weed
This week’s Friday Fix finishes its world tour in New Zealand. The Garage Project, so named because the brewers began their operation from a shed, has become popular on this side of the ditch for their power-packed beers. They also have a willingness to showcase their brews in 650ml bottles making them shareable. The colourful label pays homage to the Day of the Triffids because hops were originally considered bad weeds when they arrived in England in the 1500s. The Nelson Sauvin and Rakau hops drive this beer. It has a very strong grapefruit edge, some orange peel and a slight tartness that is very interesting. A wonderful beer that strikes at the taste buds.

Alcohol: 8 per cent. 4.1 standard drinks (650ml bottle).