April, 2011 (Don’t be fooled…this all genuine!)

We were once again extremely proud to be the official supplier
of beer to the Formula One racing team, Team Lotus, at this year’s Melbourne Grand Prix, run over the week end of the 26th & 27th
of March.

This year we brewed a small batch of a 3.8% mid-strength “Special Edition” Lager that was available to (off-duty) team members and guests of Team Lotus at their suite in the F1 Paddock at Albert Park over the course of the days leading up to the race and on race day itself.

I myself was lucky enough to attend the GP as a guest of Team Lotus Team Principle (and very good friend) Tony Fernandes. The accompanying shot is of the 2 of us enjoying a beer together prior
to the race – I actually drunk all of my bottle but Tony, consummate professional that he is, only had a quick swig from his, declaring it
to be “actually very nice” before having to dash of to attend to more urgent matters.

As for the race itself, that I was privileged to watch entirely from within the Team Lotus garage, unfortunately Heikki Kovalainen
(Car 20) experienced a radiator leak that forced him out on lap 20.
Car 21, with Jarno Trulli at the wheel completed the race in 15th position and towards the end was showing really good pace – even managing to lap the sole surviving Virgin Racing car in the process!

So, all in all a pretty satisfying day for the Team, who now move
on to Malaysia for the next race in very good spirit. Incidentally,
the draught version of this beer will be available on tap here at
the brewery pub from Friday 8th April, when it goes on sale following a special launch party alongside our new seasonal beer,
“Beer Buddy Bitter”.

BBB is an “English-style” ale, so named after the fairly recently launched iphone application that you can learn more about at www.beerbuddyapp.com.au.

Finally, a quick word or two on our new Chocolate Stout “Choc Hops” that we recently released in 640ml bottles (available through Dan Murphy’s as well as other select stores). We brewed another batch
of this earlier in the week, the bulk of which is destined to go into keg for sale in draught form at our pub here in Mildura just prior to Easter, as well as a number of other select accounts in Melbourne. So watch this space!

Rod Williams, Head Brewer