Having a drink, supporting a cause

EFTM was treated to a beer and cider tasting and educational session on Wednesday evening. We sampled more beers than we have fingers, many of which we hadn’t heard of. EFTM wasn’t out on a binge, we were learning about the Amber Affair.

Amber Affair is an event held once a year for any of you to attend. The event is held to raise money for the Sydney Childrens Hospital. During the evening you’re able to sample a beverage from every brewery, winery and distillery, then have three full glasses of your favourite drop, all while finger food is being served around you.

The Sydney Children’s Hospital is hoping to raise $60,000 on the evening and a portion of that will come from ticket sales to the event. The all inclusive ticket costs a very reasonable $75. On the night there will be prizes, raffles, auctions and more, in hopes of raising the funds needed to help the hospital fund equipment, research and clinical services.

Now, onto the beverages. Who will be there?

• Young Henrys
• James Squire
• Endeavour Vintage Beer Co.
• Hemera Estate (Winston Wine)
• Batlow Cider
• Stone and Wood Brewing Company
• The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel
• Premium Beverages (Brooklyn Brewery, Coopers)
• Redoak Brewery
• Rocks Brewing Company
• Broken Heart Gin

Now if that list isn’t enough it is worth noting that each beverage maker above will also be serving more than one type of product. At Batlow Cider for example they will have three different ciders for you to drink. Endeavour will have a couple. Rocks Brewing Company will have a few, and so on.

During our tasting it was fantastic to talk to the guys behind some of these companies and to hear their stories. Many of these smaller breweries are not known worldwide but are growing rapidly in Sydney. For anyone attending the event, they will enjoy the fact that many of the breweries are Australian owned, make their product in Australia and use ingredients grown in Australia. Many larger beer companies can’t list those three components and it’s a little sad, but great for these guys.

EFTM will be at the event on October 22nd at The Argyle and we want to see you there too. Support these breweries, support the Sydney Children’s Hospital and have a great night for very little money. Head over to http://amberaffair.org.au to purchase your tickets.