Chris Shanahan: Plonk in the middle of Fyshwick markets

For a bit of beer excitement check out Anthony Young’s Plonk at Fyshwick markets. With help from champion home brewer, Dan Rayner, he’s quickly assembled what is probably Canberra’s best beer offering.

It’s an impressive range already. But Anthony reckons on having 500 or more beers in stock by Christmas, including soon-to-arrive direct imports from Belgium and England. He says that these will all be beers not previously seen in Canberra, some of them extensions of known brands like Marstons.

The diversity of styles reflects Dan Rayner’s knowledge. So it’s not just another line up of so-called ‘premium’ beers, dominated by lagers. It really reflects beer’s big family, with an already strong showing of classic English, Belgian and German styles alongside top Australian and New Zealand selections.

The latter includes big company craft beers, like James Squire (owned by Lion Nathan) alongside hard-to-find boutiques like Prickly Moses, from Victoria’s Otway Ranges, and 3 Ravens from Melbourne – acknowledging quality wherever it’s found.

There’s even a selection of gluten free beer, including O’Brien’s and Billabong from Australia, Germany’s Schnitzer Brau and Belgium’s Glutaner.

Anthony and Dan run themed tastings every Saturday, hosted by brewers or members of the local home-brewing community. See www.plonk.net.au for more details.