Sunday, August 31st, 2008 - Brisbane/Gold Coast, Australia

We went whale-watching today off the Gold Coast as our last big activity before leaving Australia and afterwards had lunch at an Irish pub nearby called "Waxey's." Great place with good food and nice draught choices. My selection was Toohey's Black Ale which was very nice with a smooth finish. Come to find out "Waxey's" is actually a chain with some locations in S. Florida. Gotta look them up next time I am down that way.

Before leaving Australia the next morning, Ashlee accompanied me on an early evening hunt for the Brisbane Brewhouse/Microbrewery (photo above). It was the only brewhouse listed in the restaurant directory and was fairly easy to find just a few blocks from our hotel. It was a very cool place that patterned itself after a German beer hall but with more comfort and style. They had good eats and about six beers on tap that they brewed with great names like The "4th Reich" dark lager and what I had, the "Up Your Kilt" Scottish ale.

Great beer names and no T-shirts?? Man, what a marketing mistake! The Scottish ale was a wonderful brew and I only got it because they were out of their "American pale ale." Probably the best beer I had while in Australia. Sometimes you just never know. Good-bye Oz, thanks for the brews and the views.