In high spirits

BY CAM O’KEEFE

Geelong is getting its own spirits showcase, with the good folk from 18th Amendment/Non Disclosure bars hosting a string of local distilleries over the course of an afternoon in late June.

On tasting will be more than 35 drams from eight distilleries, including standout producers such as Anther, Bellarine Distillery and Flowstate. Masterclasses will be a feature of the event too, with Geelong cocktail maestro Gorge Camorra rattling the tins for those eager to gain an insight into what makes a great shaken drink. Is an event like this overdue? Probably. Will it sell out? Definitely. Do I need to ask whether I think it’s worth going? (The answer is yes).

Speaking of local distilleries, a new name popped up this week which had me intrigued, particularly when I learnt they were based in Birregurra. Although hardly a place that would spring to mind when it comes to high quality spirit production, Otway Distillery is celebrating all things fruit, botanicals and other from their surrounding farms and forests, crafting a small quality range of single batch liqueurs and spirits from their tiny micro distillery found in the Birre-township. I particularly like their Blood Orangecello (like its liqueur lemon cousin but think a sweet/bitter fresh orange character) and Bandy I (double distilled Bambra riesling that’s been aged in barrel for two years) although there’s a couple of gins and other liqueurs/creams in the line-up. Worth seeking these out if you’re a lover of artisan local spirits.

As part of the Tastes of Greater Geelong festivities happening over the following few weeks, Little Malop’s Geelong Cellar Door will host a series of weekly ticketed classes to cover the diverse winemaking future of the Geelong wine region. The themed evenings will take tasters through our Moorabool Valley, to the Bellarine, and then to our Surf Coast, all while exploring each sub-region’s nuances and vibrancy, with a special spotlight on the rising winemaking stars from their respective wineries. I’ve been to a couple of tasting here over the years and they’re always a good show: Jon Helmer is equally as good a host as he is a wealth of local wine knowledge. Definitely pencil one of these nights into your diary over the Tastes program.

Geelong CBD steakhouse favourite Emerge is relocating to a more comfortable space in the next couple of weeks, as the finishing touches get completed on their new, bigger dining site. Patrons won’t have much further to travel, though, as it’s the adjacent building that will house this latest version of the restaurant. It’s a good sign for diners but, as many services on the weekend (even midweek) are generally booked out solidly, the larger floorplan will drastically increase the amount of tables available, while what is the current dining space will become a new private room to cater for larger sit-down groups or functions. There’s been a decent menu rejig lately too, so it’s definitely worth watching this space if you haven’t been lately. I know I will be.

Bastille Day is on the horizon (mid July) and Alliance Française de Geelong has organised a celebration dinner at Little Creatures Brewery for all local Francophiles. Strange venue for a French special occasion? Perhaps, but I went to one of these dinners a couple of years back – different venue, but still hosted by Alliance Française – and it was actually a blast. Besides live French music, expect the meals and wines to be heavily traditional, and more than just dash of blue, red and white decorating the room. While you’re at the brewery, Little Creatures has released a new dark ale worth your interest. Named Cascadian Nights, this American style dark is a mix of piney hops and sweet roast malt: I’m gonna say ideally suited now the chilly winter weather has properly hit. There’ll also be a four course winter beer dinner here later this month, helping to launch both this new beer and celebrate other dark ales from sister brewery, White Rabbit. Orange and thyme crème brulee matched with a chocolate stout from the tap? Yes please. Brewers will be on hand to chat about what it takes to match beer and food. A topic, I feel, is harder to nail than many might think.

And for all those foodie-destination nerds, you’ll want to tune into the socials next Friday as the countdown of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants gets under way. Australia didn’t crack a mention last year (although Sydney fine diner, Saint Peter, did make the top 100 list) so here’s hoping for a better result this time round. Who knows, we could even have a local name amongst the top ranks (go Brae!).