In a world of super-hip craft beer, some folks like to reflect on the days when beer [and life] was simpler.
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Take, for example, the Reschs Appreciation Society.
The society is partial to “good honest beer at a reasonable price”.
Some might remember the slogan: Reschs – The beer we drink round here.
The Newcastle members of the society meet monthly. Their latest meeting was on Sunday at the Imperial Hotel in Maitland.
Greg Mowbray is the “self-appointed organiser” of the Hunter gatherings.
“I was a member of the Facebook group [Reschs Appreciation Society] for a while. Then I thought, why not meet in person?” Greg told Topics.
“Hardly any of us knew each other.”
The group meet at different pubs that have “the good gear” on tap.
“So far, each publican has gone out of their way to make us feel welcome [like, for example, putting some food on],” Greg said.
“At the Imperial, the publican and the Carlton & United Breweries rep actually had some shirts made up that they gave away during the afternoon.”
The Facebook group, which has about 1600 members, has been around since 2009.
“I only came across it this year when my brother-in-law (a lifelong Reschs fan) was told about it by a mate. I joined as a bit of fun but soon realised that what the group and its members were really about was being over the marketing hype of the craft-beer movement.”
Group members had a “desire to honour the simple things in life, like a good beer”.
“I can sum it up like this – one of the guys recently said, ‘I want my beer to taste like just one thing – beer. Not mango, not passionfruit, not chilli, just beer’.”
One of the group’s members recently overheard a conversation in Sydney between a group of hipsters.
“One of the bearded folk was telling the rest about this great new beer that had a cool, old-school surfer image on the beer tap, tasted great, and he thought it might take off. He was talking about Reschs.”
As far as Greg knows, the pubs in Newcastle that have Reschs on tap are: The Commonwealth in Cooks Hill, The Family in Hunter Street, The Sunnyside Tavern in Broadmeadow, The Mark in Lambton and The Royal Crown Hotel in Dudley.
Mobility Man
A good salesman never lets an opportunity pass by.
And so we come to “mobility man”. You may have heard of him. He was the 35-year-old chap who got sprung by the cops towing a boat with a mobility scooter along the Pacific Highway at Belmont.
Anyhow, the boat is for sale on eBay for $5000.
“It’s been towed down the Pacific Highway with a mobility scooter, pulled over by the boys in blue, got on the news several times and has at least three memes,” the description of the item says.
“Plus [you get] the added security of everyone knowing whose boat she is. Oh, did I mention it was shown on [Channel 10’s] Have you been paying attention? and all over the world, including The Iran Daily next to a cute puppy/rat.
“Very regretful sale as I need a place to live for a bit and I have lost my license and it’s difficult to get it to the water. Pick up at Belmont.”
Show Time
In 1899, a committee was formed to consider starting an annual show in Newcastle.
The first event was a sports day held in 1901. Events included an eight-man ladder and hose race, a municipal tug-of-war, wrestling on horseback, tent pegging and highland dancing and piping.
The first Newcastle Regional Show was held in May 1902. Judging was held in 19 sections including poultry, horses, garden produce, flowers, cookery, needlework, wagons and buggies, painting, drawing, writing, dairy produce and beekeeping.
It’s more than a century later, but the old saying still rings true – the show must go on.
And so, a launch for the 2019 show will be held on Wednesday at the showground, with the event itself to be held from March 1 to 3.
The show’s backbone is its volunteers. But it also has paid positions.
Show board member Daniel Wallace says the show’s general manager and operational manager positions – both full-time jobs – are up for grabs (check out Seek).
Pre-Christmas discount tickets for the show will be available through Ticketek from Wednesday.
“We hope grandparents will take up this option as a Christmas present for grandkids,” Daniel said, adding “we have heaps up our sleeve for a new-look show.”