OK I was being a bit sweeping in my last statement about craft beer. There are of course great ones, and a whole variety. But its also overwhelming how many there are nowadays. And so many of them do taste the same to me now (mostly the pale ales), so its harder to justify the price of them. I'd rather fuss over my red wines and keep my beers simple.
However, one of my favourite beers is a craft lager (from time in South Africa):
View attachment 340348
Can't believe I've only just found this thread... must be the new RB look.
I'm with you droenn when you said you hit craft beer peak - if you drink enough of them they become the 'norm' and the difference between one beer and the next becomes harder to distinguish. I also find that, as much as a single boutique beer may appeal to you when you have the odd one, they are simply too much to session on. For example, a couple of schooners of S&W Pacific Ale fresh from the keg is ridiculously enjoyable, but go buy a carton to drink with a couple of mates at home and it becomes a bit of a chore after a few.
I can't name all the ones I've tried, but see there are some common favourites here - Pirate Life Pale and their Throwback (3.5%) are current staples, and when Dan Murphy's had 4 Pines Pale on sale recently I reacquainted myself with them to a fair degree - that would have to be my go-for brew at present. Little Creatures Pale is another, and I'm a big fan of Sierra Nevada as well. Golden ales are a good change from hoppy pales - Endeavour is delicious, and even James Squire GA rates well with my taste buds, if not my sphincter the next day.
From memory johnny, that Balter brown you drank a few pages ago is from Mick Fanning's brewery - seems everyone is getting on board with craft beer.
Could I suggest we also mention here some outlets with a good range of craft beers to help each other out if we're in each other's patch on occasion - sometimes the independents have some more obscure stuff. In Brisbane, the Vine Bottle Shop in Cleveland has a massive range (>500 from memory) of craft beers, both local and exotic. Having been working in Adelaide for the latter half of this year, I can recommend the East End Cellars in the city for local craft brews and, The Edinburgh Hotel in Mitcham and also Belair Fine Wines up the hill. I'm sure johnny knows a few places in Canberra...
All said though, some of the best beers I've had are ones I've made myself. I fear to resume that hobby however as it would eat into time I could otherwise be riding, and at my age I want to be tilting the indulgence/live healthy scales in favour of the latter!