BREWERY // It all began with Michael Jackson. The beer critic's 1980s documentary TV Series 'The Beer Hunter' saw Jackson travel the world seeking out wonderful beers and it had a lasting effect on a teenaged Matt Houghton watching in Australia. Years later, Matt set out to follow in the Beer Hunter's footsteps to hallowed beer locales including Brugge, Boulder, Bavaria and Britain. Upon returning home, his dismay at the appallingly limited local beers available led him to take his homebrewing to the next level by enrolling in university to study brewing. After several years of studying then contract brewing, Matt and his wife Andrea took over a Melbourne building, pieced together brewing equipment from around the world and set up Australia's first barrelroom & cellar door in 2012. Since then Boatrocker has delighted drinkers and competition judges alike with their wide range of innovative beers (and recently, spirits) whether they be wild fermented, barrel-aged, packed with hops or lagered.
BEER // Alpha Queen was Boatrocker's first beer. A decade ago it was brewed in Matt & Andrea's garage, then it was brewed at friend's breweries before they found their home in Braeside, Melbourne. The recipe has been finessed and tweaked over the years but it's intention remains the same - it's their flagship Pale Ale brewed with loads of classic American hope (Citra, Cascade, Centennial) atop a solid base of UK malt and it is extremely drinkable. Maris Otter malts give the beer a biscuity base with a touch of toffee sweetness and the 'C' hops provide all the fun pine and citrus notes as well as some old skool bitterness. Sit back and remember 2010, it was delicious.
BREWERY // Boatrocker
BEER // Alpha Queen
STYLE // American Pale Ale
ORIGIN // Melbourne
ABV // 5%
TEMPERATURE // Cool. 10-13 C
FOOD MATCH // Sopa De Lima (Mexican Lime Soup). Cheese on toast with chutney. Lemon pepper chicken.
VESSEL // IPA Glass