Rev-Ale-ation – A Symphony of the Senses
Mosman Art Gallery
Sydney, Australia
August 5, 2018
Changing perceptions.
Expanding horizons.
Reimagining stories.
Inspiring enthusiasm.
Diminish stereotypes.
This and more what the entity known as Beer Diva has set out to accomplish fuelled by her passion, knowledge and enthusiasm for all things beer.
The underlying principle of her operation is to go far beyond of what most mere tastings have to offer: Through meticulously planned and curated events, experiences are created that invite the willing participant to become part of a journey that is designed to excite not on only the palate but all senses in equal measures.
Tonight’s Sydney incarnation of Rev-Ale-ation proved to be an example par excellence for how seemingly unrelated aspects can be married to create a holistic total that becomes much bigger than the sum of its individual components would hint at.
Driven by the expertise of someone whose expertise and background is informed by not only an intricate knowledge of the complexities and nuances of brews but also insights in culinary alchemy and the worlds of art, music and fashion; Kirrily Waldhorn is at the helm of operation with the main tenet being the creation of immersive experiences.
Rev-Ale-ation, her latest endeavour, offers the opportunity to enjoy speciality craft beers within the confines of places of worship, serenaded by operatic arias and sustained with artisanal cheeses.
Beneath the stained windows of Mosman’s Art Gallery, originally a Methodist Church designed by Burcham Clamp and Walter Burley Griffin built in 1915., world class Australian opera singers under the benign guidance of Liane Keegan, most prominently known for her portrayal as Erda in Opera Australia’s interpretation of Der Ring des Nibelungen, and accompanied by concert pianist and highly regarded operatic and orchestral conductor Simon Kenway, ales from Goose Island and 4 Pines were matched with a range of one-off handcrafted cheeses, courtesy of Milawa Cheese Company.
Each duo, i.e. cheese and beer, was married to a specific aria, which was chosen by the interprets after the tasting notes had been submitted to them to create a triumvirate that would not only feed off each other but also enhance each individual component.
While it was a pleasure to again sample the never disappointing Goose Island ales, e.g. its orange gold white headed, juicy and tart fruity Halia being the ideal welcome drink to ease into the evening; the blackberry and citrus dominated limited release Juliet, a rye beer aged in French oak being a new discovery and the reddish Belgian style Lolita, suitably framed by Rossini’s Una voce poco from Barber of Seville, being a reliable brew, the real rev-ale-ation came via an unexpected ménage a trois:
Usually not the biggest dark beer aficionado, matching the 4 Pines Stout with Milawa’s mild yet complex, buttery Markwood cheese while being serenaded by Mon Coeur souvre a ta voi from Samson & Deliah, won me over as it resulted in a sensory experience that could not have been better orchestrated.
Rewarding experiences like this inspire one to revisit – or alternatively explore for the first time - flavours that one had already laid ad acta, which is where Beer Diva’s comes full circle.
A symphony of the senses indeed that generates a desire for more curated experiences by Beer Diva:
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photos by @k.a. vv
