Taking a look at what industrial-scale beer brewing is about……
Members braved a very heavy downpour to arrive at the Tiger Brewery located at the very western end of Singapore to learn about how an industrial-scale level national brewery is set-up and run.
We learnt about the end-to-end process for lager-making, the history of Tiger Beer in Singapore, and some interesting observations:
Sugar is added as a fermentable in the production of the flagship Tiger Pilsner. Contrast that to the Heineken Beer that is also brewed on-site that uses 100% malt.
Tiger Pilsner then lagered in a tall vertical cylinder shaped vessel, while the Heineken Beer uses a horizontal lagering vessel. Go figure!
We ended the tour at the Tiger Tavern tasting the various beers on tap, looking to discern between the classic Tiger (sugar-enhanced wort) vs the 100% Malt Crystal version and revisiting some Archipelgo brews. Alas, we were ushered out 1 hour before the official closing time and thirsty as we were, the members adjourned to The Guild @KeongSiak to chill out with more tasty craft beers….
CBA ~ Civilisation was ~ Able to ~ have an OffDay ~ In.da.KongSee!
First off a shout-out to the Brewers, the KongSee, and the members who joined in what is currently the largest turnout for a CBA event post-pandemic, hosted in the private lounge area of the KongSee. Brewlander and Niang Brewing were unable to join in, but we still enjoyed 5 local breweries on tap and some of us brought home an ABLE pint glass courtesy of Able Brewing’s Laura and James.
A mix of home brewers and appreciative beer consumers joined in to meet the local brewers and sample their brews on tap, as well as to try the innovative “Mod-Sin” take on some of our familiar everyday foods ~ some complimentary from the KongSee.
Growing up in Singapore in the 80’s, diversity and inclusivity were generally values we shared as a multi-racial and multi-cultural society. These values were evident among our cosmopolitan group this evening as our Englishmen ruthlessly tore into each other’s accents and origins (from Liverpool to Kent to Croydon) with cliches, acerbic beer-fuelled wit and hilarious English banter. Just like what we did back in the day, with some lack of political correctness. The group also consisted of good Americans, Aussies, Chinese, Vietnamese and Kiwis who live here.
2022 has whizzed by and we are encouraged by you, our members and partners, to continue to build back better! We will try to plan a nice December event to close off the year and hope to have all your support again. Stay tuned….
Most of us made our way to the Kult Kafe from the 6th Avenue MRT, it is a 10 minute trek up the hill - well a few bought their cars. We concentrated on the Archipelago offerings and had a couple of pints before ordering dinner. So while there were Burgers, Salads and Wraps, Taco's were the recommended offering and the Oxtail Taco with the special Kult sauce won the food competition. One appreciative CBA member took home a take out pack for the family. Well, he did leave after 1am.
We started to wind down about 9pm all fed and watered so to speak, when Zac the Proprietor came and sat down. We chatted about CBA and then who had been where, Singapore Bands (Will Mean Jean and the Blues Machine ex. Crazy Elephant play here soon?), best local beers and then a single malt arrived. So another beer to chase it down and then Zac, warming to the occasion bought a can beer round. It finished the evening nicely. Many thanks to Tom and Zac of Kult Kafe for hosting CBA at The Grandstand @Turf City!
“Ein Prosit, ein Prosit, Der Gemütlichkeit…….Oans, zwoa, drei, gsuffa!”
Not quite the real deal under one of the legendary tents in Munich drinking their house Oktoberfest brews but nevertheless, a very fun and boozy night out at the Grand Ballroom of the Singapore Swimming Club with the amazing Swiss Alpine Lions!
Great Host ~ Great Brews ~ Great Company!
It has been a really, really long time but we are finally back together on the hallowed grounds of iBrew Singapore! - Actually at the back of the iBrew shop where many pre-covid brewing memories were made, ranging from clones of Fresh Squeeze, Pliny the Elder, an experimental Mango Lassi NEIPA, to the serendipitous but award-winning “Not da Teabag” Stout!
It was especially poignant that the Club’s earliest members/homebrewers, pro-brewers, ex-committee members and more recent members were involved in the catchup, serving up threads of history about the Club.
Conversations flowed as the beers flowed - about the current craft beer scene, about the latest Brewzillas, and even about how Beer can be a force for good (led by our pro-brewer pertaining to a certain initiative in South Africa called “Beer is Art”)
A Big Thank You to those who were there and especially to the following who made it it possible:
Raymond and his crew for hosting us and for the iBrew Pale Ale, Graham for his Legendary Hunty’s Lager & Laura for her Rutland Coffee Stout!
*iBrew has been a CBA partner since the early days of the Club. They offer members 10% off home-brew ingredients, excluding delivery.
