5 minutes with Adam Lesk from Cellarbrations Carlisle

June 6, 2017

This edition of 5 minutes with … features Adam Lesk from Cellarbrations Carlisle.

Adam, who everyone calls “Lesky”, has been managing the popular beer shop since October last year, is an award winning home brewer and recently became a certified cicerone which makes him one of five cicerones in WA. You can find him at Cellarbrations Carlisle and get to know him a little better here with a short Q&A.

Lesky sat the exam for certified cicerone earlier in the year alongside fellow WA beer professionals Brendan Day, from Cheeky Monkey Brewery, and Scott from Mash Brewing (the three of them pictured below enjoying a beer after the exam).

Read: 5 minutes with Brendan from Cheeky Monkey

Read: 5 minutes with Scott from Mash Brewing

On the day of the exam, Lesky found a quiet cafe to sit and work on possible essays on beer styles. There he ran into Steve Blaine, already a certified cicerone himself and who conducted study sessions in his own spare time leading into the exam, and he confidently told Lesky he was going to be fine and to “go give it hell.” Exactly six weeks after the exam, the email came through with the good news.

“It was such a relief, more than anything, that all the time I’d spent locked away in the study paid off.”

What makes a beer a really great beer?

I’ve had a lot of really good beers in my lifetime but the one thing that always takes it to the next level is being able to share that experience with friends. The buzz that a great beer creates and the banter that goes along with it, elevates the experience to be one to remember.

Which Australian breweries should people be watching?

After being lucky enough to head over to Good Beer Week not long back and check these guys out, I’d have to say both Hawkers and 3 Ravens. Hawkers for their huge beers; their BA Imperial Stout, BA Barleywine and IIPA were all awesome and 3 Ravens for both their Wild Ravens series and their much hyped Juicy IPA.

What do you think is the greatest misconception about craft beer?

Big, hoppy beers are the be all and end all of craft beer. I’m a sucker for a really well made Pilsner and would like to see a bit more love thrown their way.

Do you think the term ‘craft beer’ is still relevant? If not, what term do you think should replace it?

To me, the term ‘craft beer’ is still relevant and should still hang around, I see it as more of a mindset rather than strict guideline to adhere to.

Winter is fast approaching, what is your go-to dark beer for cold nights?

Right now, I’m frothing on the new Cheeky Monkey Rum & Raisin Bock as I love its massively toasty character. After stocks of that deplete, I’ll be going back to the old faithful of Founders Backwoods Bastard as it’s one of my favourite beers of all time!