An Evening with Hawkers Beer at Taps Beer Bar

Image: MyTipsyTurvy

Australian-born Hawkers beer is actually a standard offering from Taps. a group of us got to spend an evening with founder Mazen Hajjar to taste more of his ‘fucking good beer” (his words) with him and to get schooled on what makes a beer good.

Hawkers' name was inspired by the early immigrant colonial street vendors in Australia that saw trade expand in cities across the country. Craft beer distilleries did nothave budgets for marketing or channels of distribution, thus can't fight the big boy companies for sales volume. Many also through trade word of mouth and door to door sales.

Fireangel thinks he's kinda cute. Image: Taps Beer Bar

According to Mazen, the best food to pair with Hawkers beer is with… hawker food. Well, think of it this way. The biggest volume of sales by the big beer boys come from our kopitiams. Hands down, any good beer just tastes superb with some good street chow.

According to Mazen, “If a person says s/he does not like beer, that’s only because they’ve been introduced to the wrong fucking beer to start off with".  Which is why, if you visit Hawkers' website, https://hawkers.beer/, you'll see that they have quite a variety of beers. From the light lagers to the heavy stouts and limited edition barrel aged, there is a beer for everyone and every occasion.

Image: Taps Beer Bar

More of Hawkers beer will be featured at Taps Beer bar in future, but for now, the ones that are already available have been fucking good. Pardon my Ozzie.

- Jon

Taste Almost 50 types of Whisky And Spirits at Whisky PLUS!

Whiskyphiles, block 28 July 2018 on your calendars for the upcoming WhiskyPLUS 2018.

What is it:
A whisky and spirits tasting event, organised by the TEG Media Group. Whispers tell me that this could be Malaysia's answer to Whisky Live Singapore!

What can you expect:
About 50 brands of whiskies and spirits to try including: the Arran, Balblair, Bruichladdich, Benromach, Bunnahabhain, Bushmills, Chivas, Deanston, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, Hazelburn, Kilchoman, Ledaig, Longrow, Maison Du Whisky, Mars, Monkey Shoulder, Nikka, Octomore, Paul John, Port Charlotte, the Glenlivet, SMWS, Ancnoc... and these are just the whisky brands. Check out the full list here: http://www.whiskyplus.my./#brands

Format:
There are 2 sessions to choose from (12pm - 4pm & 5pm - 10pm) and number of tickets for each session is limited for crowd control so hurry!

Pricing:
Ther are 2 ticket types are available -  Gold (Standard) or Black (VIP).

1) Gold passes vary from RM135 - RM188, depending if you're bulk buying (cheaper) and if it's the 1st vs 2nd (the longer and therefore pricier) session.

The Gold ticket gets you:
- access to the main tasting floor, with unlimited sampling of whiskies and other spirits
- light bites provided by the hotel
- a Glencairn-style whisky tasting glass to bring home
- complimentary F&B vouchers for Hilton KL restaurants
- a free cocktail by guest bartenders

2) Black passes go for RM268 and RM298 (in additional to the gold ticket access, you get other exclusives like the cigar lounge access, VIP premier tasting room, and an upgraded goodie bag) (sold out!)

BONUS! If you are a Dram Full - Malaysia member (why aren't you already?? tsk tsk), you get discounts ranging from RM10 to RM40, depending on the session and the type of pass chosen. CLICK HERE.

More: 
- Purchase-by-the-dram whiskies at the Collector’s Corner to sample private collectors’ rare and expensive bottles.
- Discounted promo codes for MULA e-hailing rides home

- Selected bottles for sale at discounted prices.

For more details on #WhiskyPlusKL2018 and ticket purchase, visit www.whiskyplus.my.

Don't say I bojio!

P/s: I am running a Facebook giveaway contest for a pair of tickets worth RM270!

How to participate?

1. Share this post on your Facebook.
2. Include this in your post "l want to go for #WhiskyPlusKL2018 with (tag your friend) because...."
3. Comment below so I know you're participating. Make sure your FB profile is public otherwise I can't keep track. If I can't see your profile, you're automatically disqualified okay! :)
4. Get the highest number of likes on your post.
5. Win 2 tickets!

Contest ends this friday, 5pm. good luck!

Go go go: https://www.facebook.com/ang3ltini

Guiness Malaysia’s Perfect Pour Masters 2018 - Finale

Take a Guinness pint glass.
Hold it at a 45° angle.
Toggle stout lever until pour reaches the golden harp.
Stop.
Upright the glass and let it sit for about 119.5 mins until the cloud of gas (aka the surge) settles and the liquid calms to a ruby red (it looks black on the naked eye, but try holding it up against a bright white light and you'll see it!).
Top up the stout till the frothy head reaches the rim of the glass.
Stop.

This is Guinness's perfect serve, also called the ‘two part’ pour.

It takes more than 2 minutes for a perfect pint to be poured and the best of establishments make you wait for your pint. If your stout comes out too soon, especially in a busy establishment, you can be sure that it's not done the right way, and you should send it back.... or never go there again :p

 Bartenders at Guinness outlets are trained to get the perfect pour right with Guinness Malaysia through the Heineken Malaysia Star Academy. The trainers travel across the country to do this and over the past month, they have shortlisted 8 of the best perfect pint pourers from hundreds of trainees from Central, North, South and East Malaysia.

The 2018 finalists. (Image: Guinness)

4 winners were announced as winners on 21 June at the finale held in Publika were awarded with a tour to the home of Guinness in Dublin, Ireland.

Sales Director Mr Andrew Woon, Marketing Director Mr Jiri Rakosnik & Finance Director Mr Szilard Voros with the 4 winners: Alwin Goh,  Henry Lai, Julio Jeremy, Kenny Loo (Image: Guinness)

So the next time you are at any of these establishments, you have every right to expect your Guinness to be served in a perfect pour.

A post shared by Fireangel (@fireangel80) on Jun 21, 2018 at 4:18am PDT

FA says hi!

For more: www.facebook.com/GuinnessMalaysia.

- Jon

Tiger ROARS at the World Cup 2018

Tiger Beer will be hosting a whole slew of viewing parties this whole month at participating outlets.

A post shared by Fireangel (@fireangel80) on Jun 14, 2018 at 6:21am PDT

Expect large screen TVs, ice cold beer promotions, games and prizes to be won at their viewing parties.

While you're at it, grab a picture with the ‘Tiger Beer ROAR Machine’ and score a goal to win free beer!

If you're going to be consuming (responsibly)/buying loads of Tiger beer anyway, download the TigerMy app, earn points and redeem exclusive memorabilia such as jerseys, photo frames, football boots and balls which are autographed by legendary football stars.



Log on to http://tigerbeer.com.my/roarwithtiger/ for locations of their roving viewing parties and beer promos.

Or you could look up for them on FB for more info: https://www.facebook.com/TigerBeerMY/

Don't say I bojio!

- Jon

Except for the instagram image, all images by Tiger Beer.

Carlsberg's Probably The Best Football Beer Contest for World Cup 2018

If you're a Carlsberg and World Cup 2018 fan, you stand to win a tonne of prizes. Let me count the ways:

Managing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia, Lars Lehmann, wants you to win lots of stuff from Carlsberg!

1)  At coffeeshops, foodcourts and F&B outlets
Collect the Carlsberg green bottle caps or the Smooth Draught POP Big bottle caps (remember to insist on them at the outlet!) and you might just win yourself limited edition jerseys, football umbrellas, and more beer

2)  At home
Receive the limited edition can or bottle cooler sleeve when you purchase your football-themed Carlsberg or Carlsberg Smooth Draught from super/hypermarkets and convenience stores.

Play their online game and win an all-expense paid trip to watch a Liverpool FC match LIVE in the UK with a friend at Anfield Stadium!

3) Online at www.probablythebest.com.my/football

Play “Probably The Best Football Beer Game" and use your football knowledge to predict the scores to win an all-expense paid trip to watch a Liverpool FC match LIVE in the UK with a friend.

Win all the World Cup 2018 merchandise (girls not included)! 

4) At any of the 3000 viewing parties nationwide

Participate in any of their games at the viewing party (like the “Probably The Best Foot Pong”, nd Football Trivia Challenge) and you could win an exclusive “Probably The Best Football Kit” consisting of jersey, umbrella, limited-edition Carlsberg and Smooth Draught with bottle and can cooler sleeves. There’ll be Bonus Codes giveaways to earn extra points for the online game and successful participants can also stand a chance to walk home with either a Hisense 39” LED TV or a Vivo V71 Smartphone.

Play and win lots of stuff at viewing parties!

5) "Buy and Win" & “Swipe and Win” at hypermarkets
Buy a carton of Carlsberg or Carlsberg Smooth Draught, deliver your best kick and walk away with football merchandise and score exclusive party passes.

If you're a hoarder, you could also collect the limited-edition cans and bottles featuring flags of Brazil, Germany, Spain, England, France and Portugal. 

Don't say I bojio!

- Jon

(All images provided by Carlsberg)

DIY Layered Shots

Have you heard about the Sand Mandala? Well, it's this ritual where Tibetan monks create an intricately designed sand art. Then once it's completed, they would just sweep it away. Those weeks and weeks of meticulous hardwork gone in a single sweep.

That's pretty much what layering is. You spend time agonizing over each layer of spirit to ensure that the layers mix into each other, only to have it downed in less than a second.

So then, why bother layering your shots? Because it's bloody pretty, that's why.

It's actually pretty damn simple actually. All you need is a shot glass, a teaspoon and a spirit or 2, your favourite liquer, or 2. So let's just say we're making something called a Quick Fuck (no kidding). You'll need 1 part Baileys, 1 part Kahlua, 1 part Midori.

1. Fill 1/3 of the glass with the Midori first. The first and bottom part of the shot should always be the "heaviest" drink. By heaviest, I mean with the highest content of sugar so that it stays at the bottom. So the theory is that you fill it up with the heaviest first to the lightest. To have an idea which spirit is heavier than which this drinks gravity chart is a decent reference.

2. Grab a spoon.  Front part facing up, touch the side of the spoon to the glass. Steady your hands. With the other hand, grab the Kahlua. Slowly, very very slowly, pour the liquid down the back of the spoon so that it flows to the side of the glass.

3. Do the same (and be EXTRA careful with this) with the Baileys.

TAH DAH.

Now enjoy how pretty it looks. Then proceed to down the shot.

The Chivas Regal Mizunara Comes to Malaysia

The Chivas Regal Mizunara is said to be the "the world’s first Scotch whisky" that is finished in  Japanese Mizunara oak casks. First unveiled exclusively in Japan in 2013, it was afterwards made available in France and Thailand - now it's come to Malaysia.

What goes in there? Selected Chivas Regal whiskies that get finished in  Mizunara oak casks.

If you're a Japanese whisky fan, the mere mention of Mizunara may get your mouth watering.

Mizunara is an oak tree which are indigenous to Japan. It is known to be extremely scarce (evidently, the tree needs to be at least 200 years old before it can be made into a cask) and has a distinctive porous nature.

While the latter makes the wood more difficult to work with, it also allows for imparting "more flavours" of the wood into the whisky at a shorter time - lending a whisky that's aged in it a distinct flavour profile of subtle vanilla, fruity and flower scents with a spicy finish - which you'll also find in the Chivas Regal Mizunara.

Official tasting notes of the Chivas Regal Mizunara:
Nose:    Rich and fruity, with pear and orange notes
Palate:  Smooth and rich with a honey sweetness and a trace of hazelnut
Finish:   Long, with a touch of Mizunara spice
Colour:  Warm amber

Image: PRM

You can experience the Chivas Regal Mizunara which will be available in limited quantities in selected F&B outlets, bars and supermarkets across Malaysia from March 2018. Prices start from the high side of RM3XX onward, from what we've observed.

Pernod Ricard Malaysia Brand Manager Benedict Yong and Sebastien Mouquet, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Malaysia among the rest of the PRM crew, launching the new bottling at Pernod Ricard Malaysia's HQ bar - Bar des Embiez (Image: PRM)

FA and I enjoyed this so if you manage to get your hands on one, don't forget to jio!

- Jon

Mosto Wine Bar & Restaurant @ ONE KL

Porcinated joy and salutations! I found another porcine-friendly restaurant and bar in KL - or rather, they found me!

Located in Jalan Pinang and just a stone’s throw from KLCC, this nice cozy little hideaway is another brainchild of Cavaliere Modesto Marini’s himself. Now if that name sounds familiar, it's because he is the founder of Marini's and the Marini Group of restaurants.

While Mosto’s Wine and Restaurant Bar is not part of the Marini’s Group but the atmosphere and decor certainly has the same feel. Classy.

Cocktails and tap beers (Heineken Malaysia's triple threat - Guinness, Tiger, Heineken) are on the menu too but Mosto boasts about their extensive wine list. Their wine menu lists wines from all over the globe.

On the menu, Mosto’s signature - Italian themed cuisine and PORK. Pork is served in many ways, from the appetisers to the pastas and main dishes. However, there are also seafood options for those looking for something a little lighter.

Mosto’s is opened for lunch with happy hour wine prices till 9pm and friday happy hours that start from 12pm onwards!

You might like to know that parking is available and free (for now, perhaps as the building as new.).

For more: https://www.facebook.com/mostowinebarkl/ or https://mostowinebarkl.com/

Don’t say I bojio!

- Jon

Images: Mosto Wine Bar & Restaurant

A tapas trail with Campo Viejo wines

In an introduction of Campo Viejo to Malaysia, Pernod Ricard took us on a tapas trail right in the heart of Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL.

There's no other to enjoy drinking a Spanish wine the Spanish way, than to be on a tapas trail on a (always) summer Spanish  Malaysian weather. We were taken to Pisco Bar, El Cerdo and Havana Bar and Grill, where all were Spanish themed or influenced.

The wine and tapas trail was led by Darcy Wilkosz,
Wine Ambassador for global spirits and wine leader Pernod Ricard Winemakers

Campo Viejo wines hails from the Rioja region of the Rioja winery situated in the Ebro valley, north of Spain. Hosting us that evening was Pernod Ricard wine ambassador, Darcy Wilkosz.

Our trail started at Pisco Bar with a smorgasbord of charcoal grilled bone in rib steak. Here, the first of the series of three wines, Campo Viejo Tempranillo was paired with the scrumptious meats served.

I immediately took a liking to the first sip. On the nose, I had rich and deep aromas of dark fruits and on the palate came rich overripe grapes.

Half a bottle later, the second stop was a short 100m walk to El Cerdo’s. Famed for their porcine dishes, we had the Campo Viejo Reserva to go with a mushroom and escargo brioche and a chorizo slider.

The nose of the reserva was more intense and with more flavours coming through compared to the Tempranillo. If the former had dark fruits, the Reserva reminded me of preserved fruits. The Reserva had a nice balance of fruit and oak as it was matured for 18 months in American and French oak casks with an additional 18 more months aging in a bottle before being shipped off.

Lastly we finished off our trail at Havana’s bar and grill , up the road with the a light tapas offering of Spanish meatballs and the pairing with the campo Viejo Grand Reserva.

The grand reserva had all the signature nose and palate of the Reserva BUT with light tannin and a complex aftertaste of coffee, tobacco and chocolates. If you let it sit on the palate even longer, some hints of salty bacon comes through, but that could be from all the meat I had before that. I would want to savor this slowly. Aged for a minimum of 5 years, it spends 24 months in a mix of American and French oak casks with another 24 more months rounding in the bottle.

You can also hope on the tapas trail experience soon. For more information, visit www.campoviejo.com/cvtapastrail

Salud! ...and drink responsibly

- Jon

(Images from Pernod Ricard Malaysia)

Saro Lounge @ Pavilion Elite

There's a new hideaway lounge nestled on the 8th floor of Pavilion Elite - it's actually quite tricky to locate even if I've already told you the mall and floor.

Saro, which is Italian for “I will”, is more than just a name, it's also their commitment to provide guests with a memorable experiences and quality service.

From food to cocktail drinks and beers within a lounge setting, it could transform into a dance club if it wants too. Saro Lounge’s interior highlights is its state-of-the-art light feature that has been cleverly integrated into the ceiling – the first of its kind in Malaysia. The light feature boasts an impressive multitude of configurations to suit any mood, adding to the overall ambience of the main lounge area.

Saro Sour

The bar offers a range of cocktails inspired by Asian flavours. Saro’s signature cocktails bring their own unique twist on the classics, with drinks such as the Saro Sour and the Rum Negroni. A refreshing number is the Signature Monkey 47, which combines fresh and floral flavours into a simple yet flavourful cocktail.

Signature Monkey 47

From the kitchen, Head Chef Nopporn Nutto from Thailand along with Chef Faizal have conceptualised a menu showcasing a contemporary variety of small plates and main course dishes.

Saro Lounge can host private parties and events too. It is equipped with a quality sound system and LCD screens, with the capacity to accommodate events for about 130 – 150 pax. There is also a ‘Saro’s Private Room’, with karaoke facilities and its very own restroom which is only available for private bookings.

For more information on Saro Lounge go to sarolounge.com or its Facebook page.
For reservations, call +603 2110 4080.

- Jon

Images: Saro Lounge