Quaffers: Batlow's CiderFest has core element - fun

Australia's rapidly growing cider industry knocks on Canberra's back door this weekend. Batlow's CiderFest includes a cider industry conference and happy hour on Friday, May 15, followed by a public street festival on Saturday.

Organisers say the conference – in its third year, and the only comparable event in Oceania – services apple and pear growers, juicing companies, cider makers and industry suppliers.

Delegates, led by the likes of keynote speaker Dr Andrew Lea (Harp Hill Cider, Britain) will consider the craft, science, business and politics of the industry.

However, the following day, Saturday, May 16, the cider theme opens up to all comers in Batlow's CiderFest Street Festival. Throughout the day Pioneer Street offers ciders, local food and entertainment.

It's only a 2½ hour drive to Batlow, so it could be a lovely outing for the weekend. See batlowciderfest.com.au for more info.

Mornington Peninsula Brewery Sorachi
★★★★☆
330ml $4.65

Originally from Cologne, Germany, Kolsch​ is a pale lemon-coloured beer with pronounced hop aroma and flavour, but comparatively low bitterness. Mornington Brewery's version emulates the Japanese take on Kolsch, using Japan's Sorachi Ace hops. The result is a delicate but full, pale-coloured beer with zesty, lemony hops character.

Maisel's Dunkel Hefe Weissbier​
★★★★★
500ml $4.95

The label translates to "dark wheat beer with yeast", the latter indicating a yeast haze in the beer. From Maisel brewery, Bayreuth, northern Bavaria, the ale captures the regional specialty beautifully: dark colour, luxurious head, sweet, enticing, fruity and clove-like aroma with rich, smooth, brisk palate and flavours exactly matching the aroma.