Nestled on the South Bank in Brisbane and conveniently located near the convention centre is the Charming Squire, pub-home of one of the James Squire breweries. The brewing equipment is visible as a lofted monument above everyone's heads and is elegantly lit to blend into the warm gold, amber and brown themes. Everything looks like beer colours and the place was packed on a Saturday afternoon, unlike some of the other places I walked past in Brisbane.
A large number of beer taps are on display and connected to the kegs, which are visible in a climate controlled room next to the bar and visible through a glass panel wall that runs along the length of the brewery downstairs. Essential product information is printed neatly on the wall at the back of the bar to help patrons select from the potentially bewildering collection of beers on offer. The staff behind the bar tend to ask people who seem confused, and who wouldn't be unless you are a seasoned craft beer drinker and tinkerer, what style of beer they usually drink. This promotes a 'more of the same' approach which doesn't really tap into the potential that craft beer offers. I noticed that there were a few wooden panels hanging behind the bar so I asked my bar tender what the smallest volume was that I could buy and whether I could taste different beers. I ended up with these 100ml tasters and a product tasting sheet with tiny print. At $12 it wasn't cheap, but I've paid more at other places. Each beer had a 5-scale rating system for Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouthfeel, and Finish.
Their food was good and it was a very pleasant way to spend part of my afternoon on the South Bank in Brisbane.
The group has several Squire brew-pubs scattered around the country as presented on this map.
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