The Local Taphouse quarterly SpecTAPular events continue to gain momentum and renown across Australia’s south-east. Their most successful, the Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular, has now exploded into the Great Australiasian Beer SpecTAPular and will kick off Good Beer Week in May. Before then, one of the most hotly anticipated beer events of 2009 returns.

The 2012 Star Spangled SpecTAPular will capitalize on the recent local influx of highly regarded American craft beers, including the 2011 AIBA Champion, Moylans Brewing.

This Star Spangled SpecTAPular Mk II has been boosted by support from the US Department of Agriculture, allowing for additional themed entertain and food alongside the fun decorations and dress-ups witnessed at every Taphouse party.

Furthermore, it will be the first time a SpecTAPular will occur on two separate Saturdays, first at the St Kilda Taphouse in Melbourne and then at Sydney’s Darlinghurst Taphouse the following weekend. Don’t be surprised if you see several of the same faces at both venues across the two weekends!

The Taphouse crew have become very good at staging their popular themed beer events. Their thorough and thoughtful preparation ensures a fun and beer soaked day for all who attend. Punters are advised to expect a queue for entry across these two Saturdays in March, due to the popularity of the SpecTAPulars and the limited capacity of each venue. [JD]

Media Release

Way, way back in July 2009, we hosted an American-themed Star Spangled SpecTAPular. At that time, the only US craft beers we could get hold of were those from Rogue Brewery in Portland. An awful lot has changed since then with an ever increasing number of US craft beers imported by official channels now appearing in good beer stores around the country.

Given all that, we’ve managed to put together a cracking lineup of fantastic US craft beers together for our 2012 Star Spangled SpecTAPular which will take place in St Kilda on Saturday March 3 (see poster above) and Darlo on Saturday March 10.

Things will kick off at noon and there will be entertainment and US-themed food offerings to get you in the mood. Entry is at least a gold coin and all proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Hospital in Sydney and Melbourne. So dig deep!

We are enormously grateful for the sponsorship of the US Department of Agriculture who have helped to make this event possible.

Be warned that news of this event is spreading around the US expat community so avoid disappointment and come down early!

Dates: Sat 3 March at The Local Taphouse St Kilda, Melbourne & Sat 10 March at The Local Taphouse Darlinghurst, Sydney

Time: 12noon to 1am

Here’s the lineup of 20 American craft beers:

• Bear Republic (CA) – Racer 5 IPA, Red Rocket Amber Ale, Hop Rod Rye IPA, Special XP Pale, Big Bear Black Imperial Stout
• Green Flash (CA) – West Coast IPA, Hop Head Red Amber Ale
• Moylans (CA) -Hopsickle Imperial IPA, Kiltlifter Scotch Ale, Tipperary APA
• Marin (CA) – Chocolate Airporter, Star Brew Wheatwine, Tiburon Blonde, IPA, Mt Tam APA
• Pretty Things (MA)– Jack D’Or Saison
• Weyerbacher (PA) – Double Simcoe Imperial IPA
• Clown Shoes (MA) – Clementine Witbier
• Sly Fox (PA) – Pils

Visit The Local Taphouse website for more SpecTAPular news.