Matilda Bay calls drinks at the SCG

As if a day at the Ashes could be any better than luxuriating in the new MA Noble, Don Bradman and Messenger Stand at the SCG . . . well it just got better. In an Australian first, the new grandstand at Sydney's iconic cricket ground, will have its very own craft beer pavilion brought to you by Matilda Bay Brewing Co.

 

Level 2 of the Don Bradman Stand will house the Matilda Bay Brewers Pavilion and sports lovers will have a choice of the brewery’s Top Six order of craft beers and ciders to enjoy, along with traditional sport-watching beer choices of Victoria Bitter and Carlton Mid.

Celebrating 30 years of craft brewing, Matilda Bay’s rich history is reflected in the Brewers Pavilion design, which features a mammoth model copper kettle bar-backdrop.

 

Matilda Bay General Manager Craig Maclean says, “The team at Matilda Bay love sport almost as much as we love our craft beer. As Australia’s original craft brewer, we wanted to bring to the incredible new grandstand an unrivalled craft beer experience, where cricket lovers can enjoy a craft beer while watching the Aussies thump the Poms.”

 

“Along with five of our core range our brewers have specially brewed a sparkling lager in honour of the bar’s first Ashes Test and we’re asking the SCG Trust Members to come up with a name. The winning name will remain for the rest of the cricket summer.”

 

SCG Trust Chief Executive, Jamie Barkley said; “Our Members love to watch cricket while enjoying a cold, relaxing beer. They are full of sports knowledge and they know a good tasting beer. So this is the perfect way to combine their sports expertise with a Matilda Bay craft beer.”

 

Pouring fresh from the shiny copper taps, beers available throughout the Ashes will include Fat Yak, the North American style pale ale, Minimum Chips, Matilda Bay’s new golden lager, Ruby Tuesday an amber ale rich with biscuity, toffee malt flavours and Itchy Green Pants (I.G.P.), the easy to drink cloudy ale named after the brewers’ work pants. Those who prefer apples to hops and barley can enjoy one of Australia's most critically acclaimed ciders, the deftly named Dirty Granny.

 

Of course beer and food go together like Langer and Hayden, so every Matilda Bay brew comes with a specially designed beer or cider food match sure to tantalise cricket lovers’ tastebuds this summer.    

 

For patrons simply stunned by the new look batting line-up of beers, there will also be mini-cricket bats (masquerading as tasting paddles) that will give a taste of all six craft beers available.

 

The Matilda Bay Brewers Pavilion is located on Level 2, Don Bradman Stand, SCG

 

To become a fan of Matilda Bay visit www.facebook.com/MatildaBayBrewingCo or follow Matilda Bay on Twitter @MatildaBayBeer

Cavalia - Review

Cavalia, you are expecting to be blown away? You will be! Cavalia has been developed by Cirque Du Soleil Co-Founder Normand Latourelle. The show has been around for many years now and has entertained 3.5 million people in Europe and North America.  You can't really compare this the Cirque Du Soleil because it just isn't the same but it does contain some of the same wow factors.

Cavalia is like a celebration to horses, it certainly shows how loyal, and how trained they can be. I couldn't help wonder what goes through the horses minds when they perform. It was quite obvious that they enjoy it. There were many, almost 50, beautiful horse in the show. Some were just majestic and gentle. Others showed the talents of the horses and trainers as they moved around the stage untethered. There was people standing and performing on and off the horses. Amongst all this there were acrobats, trapeze, trampoline and much more. There were times when you didn't know who to watch.

The costumes and music also play a huge part of the show. They are both incredible. All the music was live. The timing between the musicians and the horses was perfect. Obviously the costumes had to work with the horses, there were medieval costumes and of course cowboys. The medieval costumes reminded me of some scenes from Lord of the Rings.

Lastly, I should mention the set. It was magical literally, where did all the water go?  There was clever use of technology and a huge screen. At one point they used water (rain) and a projector to project a horse onto the rain, it was very majestic.

Cavalia is playing in a big top at the Entertainment Quarter until 16 June. Click for more info.