New beer is a little ray of sunshine

 

Hotels under the Holiday Inn Express banner have signed a deal to serve an exclusive new Express Pale Ale beer, made collaboratively with Local Brewing Co.

The new brew was launched at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast's new rooftop bar.

Eight Holiday Inn Express hotels across Australia: Sunshine Coast, Brisbane Central, Melbourne Southbank, Melbourne Little Collins, Sydney Airport, Sydney Macquarie Park, Newcastle and Adelaide City will be the only places pouring the beer.

Proceeds from every beer sold will go towards meals for those facing food insecurity, through Local Brewing Co.’s charity partner, SecondBite.

Open to guests and locals Thursdays and Fridays 3pm-8pm and Saturdays 1pm-8pm, the new rooftop bar and pool is the highest on the Sunshine Coast, overlooking Maroochydore city.

The bar is the latest addition to the new-build Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast, opened in mid-2022, complementing its 181 guest rooms and suites.

“Sustainability and giving back to local communities are core focuses for our Holiday Inn Express hotels,” said cluster GM Daniel Lawder.

“Our refreshing, very drinkable new and exclusive Express Pale Ale not only tastes great, it also supports Australians doing it tough at the moment."

For a limited time, the hotels will also serve up Local Brewing Co.’s seasonal Citrus Hazy Pale, a sustainable beer brewed using day-old bread and surplus fruit sourced from supermarkets, which would otherwise have gone to landfill.

For more information on Holiday Inn Express hotels, visit https://www.proinvesthotels.com/brands/hiex.

Meet a new artisan gin with a uniquely Australian flavour

An animal sanctuary and a boutique distillery may seem unlikely bedfellows but Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and  Brisbane’s newest craft distillery and lifestyle brand BY.ARTISANS, this week announced the launch of the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Eucalyptus Gin.

The innovative spirit comes from the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary and is made using eucalyptus leaves, turning waste into a luxe spirit.

Each day, eucalyptus leaves are hand-harvested from Lone Pine, with the freshest leaves reserved to nourish the koalas, while the remaining foliage, previously destined for composting, is given a second life.

BY.ARTISANS harnesses these leaves to craft a drink that "captures the essence of Australia’s natural heritage while supporting koala conservation".

From today, the Eucalyptus Gin will be available exclusively at BY.ARTISANS’ flagship store in Brisbane's West End, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary’s gift shop and online.

A press release says that 5% of all proceeds will be donated to registered wildlife charities and research groups focused on koala studies and wildlife conservation.

“The koala is an iconic species, but their habitat is under constant threat due to urbanisation and deforestation," said Lone Pine general manager Lyndon Discombe.

"Eucalyptus is vital for koalas, being their sole source of food. This collaboration with BY.ARTISANS helps raise awareness of the challenges koalas face and supports conservation efforts."

Ginn Lai, co-founder of BY.ARTISANS, who conceptualised the project, said: “We wanted to give these eucalyptus leaves a second life, and through this collaboration, we’re telling the story of koalas, the importance of eucalyptus as their lifeblood, and how something as simple as a leaf can be transformed into something extraordinary.

"It’s a celebration of this remarkable native botanical while giving back to the community to help safeguard the future of koalas.”

See www.lonepinekoalasanctuary.com and www.byartisans.com.au.

Australia making more white wine than red

Total sales of Australian wine exceeded production for the second year in a row, but there is still a lot of red wine in tanks waiting for a home.

The good news followed successive small vintages, says the Australian Wine Production, Sales and Inventory Report 2024 released today by Wine Australia.

Wine production was just over 1 billion litres, an 8% increase compared with 2022–23 but still the second-smallest reported production in 17 years, and 16% below the 10-year average of 1.24 billion litres.

Peter Bailey, manager for market insights at Wine Australia, said that the below-average production from the small 2024 vintage was the result of a combination of seasonal factors and economic and market conditions.

“This was another difficult season in many regions, with heavy rainfall and flooding, widespread windy conditions affecting flowering, and dry spring weather leading to cold nights and the potential for frost damage,” Bailey said.

“However, the result has also stemmed from deliberate decisions by grape growers and wine businesses to reduce production or intake, driven by the current economic and market conditions affecting demand for wine.”

The overall increase of 8% cent compared with 2022–23 was made up of a 20% increase in white wine production, partly offset by a 2% decrease in red wine production.

This saw white wine’s share of production increase from 46% to 51% - the first time in 12 years that the production of white wine has exceeded that of red wine in Australia.

Bailey said that this change reflected adjustments made by the sector to counter the oversupply of red wine that had arisen over the past three years.

The total volume of sales of Australian wine in export and domestic markets was 1.08 billion litres - a decrease of 1% compared with 2022–23, with both domestic and export sales showing very small declines.

Bailey said growth in red wine exports was driven by the re-commencement of exports to mainland China following the removal of import tariffs in late March 2024.

“It will take some time before there is a clearer picture of how Chinese consumers are responding to the increased availability of Australian wine in–market,” Bailey said.

“Any increase in production is likely to result in stock levels rising again, unless there is a corresponding increase in sales. This is a particular concern for reds, where the stock-to-sales ratio is still well above the long-term average.”

Bailey noted that the global outlook for Australian wine remains challenging. 

World wine consumption has continued to decline over the past 12 months and is expected to decline further in the next five years, driven by economic constraints, overall alcohol moderation trends and competition for wine from other beverages.

Image: Elena Pasenko, Scop.io 

Minor Hotels snaps up rights to major Brisbane development

 

Bangkok-based Minor Hotels, one of the world’s fastest-growing global hospitality groups, has expanded its Australasian portfolio by announcing the signing of the management letting rights for the landmark Queen's Wharf Residences development in Brisbane.

The residences open early next year and are being marketed as "a new benchmark for urban tourism in Brisbane".

Queen's Wharf Residences, the tallest tower within the Queen's Wharf precinct, is a 64-storey development that redefines the skyline of Queenland’s capital - a future Olympic Games host city.

The property features one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments with balconies and winter gardens equipped with lift-and-tilt windows, allowing guests to enjoy Brisbane’s subtropical climate year-round.

The design of the tower reflects the soft curves of the Brisbane River.

Guests will have exclusive access to amenities including a pool, spa, steam room, theatre, leisure lounge room and gym, as well as direct access to the precinct’s entertainment options, hotels and dining options including Sokyo, Fat Noodle and Cherry and spectacular views from the Sky Deck.

“Highly sought-after, Queen’s Wharf Residences has become Queensland’s fastest-selling development, offering more than just a place to stay, but an unprecedented benchmark in urban tourism for Brisbane.” said Lauren Sheldon, head of sales and marketing in Australia for property developer Far East Consortium.

“The scale of this project demanded a management partner with unmatched expertise to offer the premium management guests of Queen’s Wharf Residences will expect, and Minor Hotels’ extensive experience in property management across Australasia and beyond instils us with confidence that they are the ideal partner to deliver on this promise."

Craig Hooley, COO for Minor Hotels Australasia, said: “We are excited to add such a landmark Brisbane development to our portfolio, offering a product unlike anything the city has seen before with respect to size and scale, and proximity to Brisbane CBD’s most exciting dining and entertainment precinct.

“Given our extensive experience managing over 550 properties globally, including 11 existing properties in Brisbane CBD, we are well-equipped to manage this pioneering development which further establishes Brisbane’s position on the world stage as a global destination for entertainment, leisure and tourism.”

Minor Hotels is a global hospitality group operating in 56 countries, operating brands including Anantara, Avani, Elewana Collection, NH, NH Collection, nhow Hotels, Tivoli Hotels & Resorts and Oak Hotels and Resorts.

Minor Hotels, founded by US businessman William Heinecke in 1978, is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s biggest group for independent hotel brands, and participates in the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme.

Wine innovation born of adversity

Sparkling wines called Blanc de Noir are almost always made from traditional Champagne varieties: pinot noir, or occasionally pinot meunier.

But a new release from Best's Great Western is a bubbly Blanc de Noir made, quite unusually, from shiraz grapes.

Fifth-generation winemaker Ben Thomson has chosen innovation to conquer adversity, using his excess shiraz to create the Blanc de Noir Cuvée, as well as a still Syrah Blanc.

The 2024 Blanc de Noir is made from 100% shiraz grapes in response to the challenges of recent vintages.

Thomson saw an opportunity to create something new out of the exceptional fruit from his Sugarloaf Creek vineyard - and the wine has been released ahead of the festive season.

“Making the most of adversity is something winemakers need to do to survive,” says Thomson.

“We’re raising a glass to the triumph of the Blanc de Noir project.  It takes a little while to get your head around the fact that these bubbly beads of delight are made from shiraz grapes.

"Once you get over that, you will discover brilliant clarity with apple, pear, lemon and lime characters dancing away on the palate.”

The fruit is early picked to ensure bright acid. I found the wine quite yeasty on the nose but delicate on the palate - definitely a style suited to enjoying with food.

See https://www.bestswines.com/product/2024-blanc-de-noir. The wines available at fine wine outlets for $30.

Travel trends for 2025 revealed

Relaxation, travelling with the family and exploring new destinations are three key pillars of travel intent for 2025, travel booking website Agoda says 

Agoda has unveiled its 2025 Travel Trends survey, highlighting the factors set to shape the travel landscape in Asia in the coming year. 

The survey revealed a strong focus on relaxation, family-oriented trips, and the excitement of discovering new destinations as primary motivations for travellers.

Agoda's findings indicate that travellers are prioritizing quality time with loved ones and seeking respite from daily routines.

The survey also underscored the growing interest in exploring uncharted territories. Noteworthy is the popularity of theme parks, with one in eight respondents expecting to go on a trip to visit one.

Seven key insights from Agoda's 2025 Travel Trends survey:

1. The more the merrier: Travelling with family tops the list
For many travellers family time equals quality time. More than a third of travellers questioned (34%) plan to travel with family in 2025. 

2. Easy does it: Relaxation is the top travel motivation, by far
Escaping from the hustle and bustle of daily life is by far the most important reason to travel, according to the survey. 75% of respondents cited relaxation as their most important travel motivation.

3. Computer says 'yes': Tech assisting in travel planning
Technology is playing a pivotal role in shaping travel plans. A substantial majority of travellers (80%) plan to use travel apps, while about one in eight (12%) are interested in virtual reality tours. 

4. Travel For Less: Journey more, spend smart
Budget considerations remain a key factor, with a significant portion of travellers (65%) planning to spend less than $250 per night on accommodation. But price is not a barrier to international travel - 87% of travellers expect to take the same number of trips or more compared to 2024. 

5. In and Out of Office: Travelling on and off the clock
In addition to traditional business trips, which 28% of respondents expect to embark on, the survey also picked up on the emergence of digital nomads, borderless workers who work remotely. 1 in 25 expects to work remotely in 2025, with a focus on combining work and leisure, as more companies adopt flexible work arrangements. 

6. Inspiration: Many ways to discover new destinations
A whopping 84% of travellers expect to visit new destinations in 2025. 

7. Life is a rollercoaster: Theme Parks are a reason to travel
Asia's many theme parks: Disney in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, Lotte World in Seoul, Universal in Osaka and Singapore, Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi will attract 20% of those surveyed.

Image: Hesham Osama, Scop.io