As we head towards the longest day I thought it might be worth a wee update on the orchard. The majority of my trees that went in mid winter were cider varieties and were first growths that are spending the summer developing roots and growing. However I did put in one Sturmer Pippin an old…
Author: southstarbrew
Food : Low and Slow BBQ Cabbage
Back in November I turned 40. To mark the occasion I threw a party in our barrel cellar . I did all the food and we had a feast. I cranked up the SnW offset smoker. Somewhat surprisingly the dish that left the biggest impression on people was the vegan BBQ main. Inspiration for this…
Food : Christmas Cake
This recipe is mainly based on Nigella Lawson’s boiled chocolate fruit cake recipe. I have been making it every Christmas for about a decade and a few tweaks and changes have crept in. The most important method wise is i have moved to ‘boiling’ or ‘simmering’ the fruit , booze, butter and sugar in a…
Food: Spicy Kaleyard Boil up – greens and pork boiled in broth
This dish takes inspiration from the spicy boiled Collard Greens dishes of the American South. Kale and spinach are simmered in a hearty broth flavoured with smoked pork, chilli, herbs and a generous dose of garlic. You can of course serve this as a side to BBQ brisket or pork shoulder , or with roast…
Travel : Sydney to Brisbane by train
I was up early next morning , walked across to the railway station from my hotel. The trip out of Sydney was incredibly picturesque , leafy suburbs gave way to lush forest and then suddenly we were in a tidal striking river valley called the Hawkesbury River that looked like a cross between the Marlborough…
Food : Brisket A La Carbonnade
I love brisket , I get a regular supply of BBQ brisket at work and usually will pick up brisket if I see it and pop it in the freezer. I do sometimes do brisket in the smoker however this recipe is a different take on cooking brisket combining the slow cooking in beer of…
Food : Cumberland Upon Spuds
Some years ago I picked up the technique of unlinking sausages and roasting them in a spiral from Jamie Oliver. Its a super easy way of making an impressive , hearty centrepiece for a meal without breaking the bank. Here I have combined it with a potato and leek bake and roasted the sausage over…
Travel: Melbourne to Sydney by Train
After Melbourne I was to head to Brisbane to spend some time in the trade with Adam from A&K who distribute our beer in Queensland. I decided to take the train. I enjoy train travel , I like seeing something of the countryside , the chance to perhaps meet and talk with fellow passengers, the…
Travel : Melbourne Day 5
Day 5 started with an early rise and a uber up to Smith St to breakfast with John at a smart cafe. Then a day of trade visits with liquor buyers and bar managers. We drove through the leafy brick lined streets of North Melbourne and explored a number of very good specialist liquor stores….
Travel : Melbourne Day 4
After early morning coffee and pastry from Mimolette and a walk to look at the iconic music pub the Windsor Castle which was a block or two from the Windsor Ale House I headed down to met Shane at The Bach , a kiwi themed cafe in St Kilda / Balaclava for brunch. I went…
Raise the Dawn 