All Hail to the Ale

on December 18, 2009 in Australia, Food and Drink

James Squire Original Amber AleSuprisingly in a colony of  lager drinkers, the Malt Shovel Brewery have come up with a range of decent ales under the James Squire brand.

The first I tried, the Golden Ale, immediately reminded me of Wychwood’s Circle Master (although obviously it’s hard to make a direct comparison not having the English ales here with me). The Amber Ale comes in somewhere between Goliath and Fiddler’s Elbow and the Porter can see Hobgoblin somewhere in the distance.

Convicted of Highway Robbery and sentenced to transportation in 1785, James Squire was later caught stealing ingredients for brewing beer, the brew was that good that he was given a lenient sentence of a five pound fine and three hundred lashes.

By 1806, having completed his sentence and settled in Australia, he had established an estate of 1000 acres, and succesfully farmed the first Australia hops (and was given a cow by way of reward).

It was at this time that he built the Maltings Shovel Tavern half-way between Sydney Town and Paramatta serving the busy trading route along the Paramatta River.

Historian, Philip Greaves, wrote at the time: “Sailors of many nations who were vague about the locations of Nineveh or Babylon could find their way to Squire’s in a thick fog.”

From his criminal beginnings James Squire ended his life as a District Constable, banker and philanthropist.

11 Responses to “All Hail to the Ale”

  1. Taliesin71 says:

    And your point is?? The thing I like about this place is that the people here are generall proud of the country they have settled in and proud of their heritage (yes England) unlike 90% of the residents of the UK who couldn’t give a stuff (yourself excepted of course)

    It does mean that outside the centre of the cities the archetecture seems to have crystalised somewhere around 1940, but even in the poorest areas, the streets are clean and there aren’t random tribes of scrotes rampaging through the streets after dark,

  2. What do you mean ‘and your point is’? You know exactly what the point is – you don’t need me to point it out to you.

    ‘The thing I like about this place is that the people here are generall proud of the country they have settled in and proud of their heritage (yes England)

    Firstly the ozzie’s are proud of their country not their heritage – as it is English. The truth is they publicly despise anything English despite the fact that their only history is that of other nations particularly England.The fact that you found a brewer who uses it as a marketing ploy proves nothing of the average Australians interest in their heritage. But you really are now having a laugh with your other point…

    And this is just priceless…

    unlike 90% of the residents of the UK who couldn’t give a stuff – no one embodies this attitude better than you.

    ‘there aren’t random tribes of scrotes rampaging through the streets after dark,’

    I’ve been through this before. There’s more to England than Kirkholt.

    Miss you loads

  3. Taliesin71 says:

    Oh I forgot in your version of Merrie Olde England everyone is in their study wearing smoking jacket, fezz(very English) and monacle by 5:30pm, sipping tea (from India or China) and smoking a pipe (American)

    From that deluded point of view, the ferel scrotes plagueing the modern world must be very far avay indeed.

    Your view of England (named after a Germanic tribe) is that unhinged from reality it’s no wonder you prefer it to real life.

    I raise a glass of Port (Spanish) to your good health. UP YOUR’S CARROLL

  4. There you go again speaking on my behalf and making things up. ‘sipping tea (from India or China)’

    Yes thanks for the lame history lesson Iain. I like the way you announce it all like you’re educating us. The world has copied the tradition of tea drinking in order to emulate the English who invented the ‘tradition’. Those little tea rooms you mention that you visited in Mulletsville – who do you think they were copying. Not the Indians that’s for sure. Yet again they were playing at being English – and probably badly at that.

    Don’t worry you’ll soon be back amongst those scrotes you seem obsessed about. Must be a Kirkholt thing.

    Safe flight and see you SOON.

  5. Taliesin71 says:

    Admittedly I know nothing of the Indian tradition of tea drinking, but I do know that the Chinese have an important and delicate ritual tradition to making and drinking tea, a tradition that the English have somehow corrupted to “Put keckle on Mother”

    Yes the image of sipping tea is a fallacy in your case as we all know that your heated beverage of choice is Ovaltine (Swiss)

  6. Serf Carroll says:

    ‘a tradition that the English have somehow corrupted to “Put keckle on Mother”.

    Never mind knowing nothing of the Indian tradition you clearly know nothing of the English tradition. I don’t think the Duchess of Bedford actually uttered those words when she introduced the WORLD to civilised practices. Due to the fact that when you’re in England you don’t go any where (or leave the house for that matter) then you will be oblivious to the still thriving practice of serving tea in the classic English style. I’ve lost count of the the number of times this year alone I have enjoyed a classic English tea. Why not actually get out of your chair when you get back and experience your own country just like you have in Mulletsville. Oh sorry I forgot you’ll be too busy running it down.

    It doesn’t matter what we are talking about I think you’ll find England is usually the one being emulated. Take this example of relevance:

    “The drinking of black tea in the English style is also gaining popularity in Japan. Devotees of Western style can study the English tea ceremony at modern tea classes – including how to make English tea time cakes and biscuits.”

    Couldn’t quite see the Japanese putting on Australia lessons – or anyone else for that matter.

    Yes the image of sipping tea is a fallacy in your case as we all know that your heated beverage of choice is Ovaltine (Swiss) – Here we go again resorting to making things up to try and make a point. At least you’re consistent if nothing else. Consistently lame.

    While we’re on the subject. What exactly has Mulletsville given the world in the way of traditions, customs, inventions, or anything of worth for that matter? Now you’re struggling.

  7. Taliesin71 says:

    Anna Russell (1783-1857) admit it, you are just as guilty of everyone you claim to despise. pretending to be “English”. An England that is dead and burried and lives on only in your derranged imagination and a few preserved relics of that bygone age.

    What is even more pathetic is the aspiration to a class far beyond your own, look at what your life would really have been like in those times and the view is far less appealing.

  8. Like I said Bruce, now you’re struggling.

    The theme of all your answers. Unable to list anything that Mulletsville has given the world you launch yet more false attacks on your own country, not to mention the finest of your fellow countrymen.

    ‘An England that is dead and burried and lives on only in your derranged imagination and a few preserved relics of that bygone age.’ Lives on only in MY deranged imagination? I haven’t got broadswords next to my bed.

    And tell all that to the hundreds of thousands of foreign tourists (in particular Australians and Americans) that come and stare in envious awe at our history each year. And in typical turncoat style you trash world heritage treasures like the magna carta (as just one example of the many thousands we as a nation can list) as a ‘few preserved relics of a bygone age’. All the while raving on about some dump of a prison in Mulletsville that’s about as ancient as McDonalds – and about as relevant.

    As for this beauty – What is even more pathetic is the aspiration to a class far beyond your own, look at what your life would really have been like in those times and the view is far less appealing.

    Continuing your theme of not answering the accusations you go off subject ‘again’ and make it all up. You’re like a cracked record only twice as boring. Like I said the last time you used that, appreciate and aspire – there’s a difference. Look it up if you have to so that I don’t have to endure more of your ‘repeat’ ill-educated waffle.

    As for being pathetic – that definitely is you expertise.

    Any way enough of this festive good cheer. Check these out when you get back, websites in progress but it gives you an idea:

    http://www.orchardpigs.co.uk/index.php

    Sampled a couple wi Rhodsey over a few bottles o’ gradely ale. Reet gradely lad, reet gradely.

  9. Taliesin71 says:

    “And tell all that to the hundreds of thousands of foreign tourists (in particular Australians and Americans) that come and stare in envious awe at our history each year.”

    Exactly, and fne though it is, it has bugger all to do with the reality and modern culture of our county. Tourists don’t come to se the real England, they come to see the picture postcard version.

    In the case of the Americans and Australians it is not our history they come to see but their own, it just happens that we are the custodians of it.

    It’s laughable that you bring up my broadswords, I also have a couple of lightsabres knocking about somewhere, I don’t mistake either for part of real life. But getting back to the broadswords and your mirth at my having done morris dancing, yet again I have taken the time to uphold (in some small way) the history and culture of our country whilst you sit and bleat on the sidelines as a spectator and claim to be the font of all Englishness. Lame Carrol, lame.

    I stand by my comment of “preserved relics of a bygone era” Melbourne Gaol is another of those relics, but one I happened to visit and write about whilst I am here. Again I don’t mistake it for modern reality.

    Anyway, getting back to the article in question, I tried the James Squire Pilsner the other day and frankly I’d have prefered Castlemaine XXXX, even more peculiar for an Australian brewer.

    BTW Carroll, I’m frankly suprised that with all the lardies on the shift you are the one eulogising about a pork pie. Funnee.

  10. Great seeing you having to explain yourself Monks – that’s your longest reply yet. Hope I’ve not hit a nerve or anything. I won’t sleep if I thought I’d upset you.

    As for all the rest of the lame points you make I’ll deal with them when you get back. I know you love your virtual discussions but it’s way too easy for you to worm your way out and not answer what’s being put to you. There’s no hiding when you get back Monks – it’ll be a thorough tongue lashing for you my man and put well and truly in your place. Just as it’s always been.

    Speaking of all things lardy though. It has been one long lardy fest in here. My lardy’s have well and truly done me proud over Christmas.

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