James Boag’s Wizard Smith’s Ale
Tuesday, October 9th, 2007
From the outset, James Boag’s has prided itself on being one of Australia’s premier brewers for over 150 years, and this particular product is no exception. James Boag’s Wizard Smith’s Ale is an impeccable brew and shouts nothing but pride to the brew masters at Tasmania’s finest Brewery.
A limited edition brew, Wizard Smith’s is a ‘traditional English ale’, encapsulating the method and history of ‘pale ale’ brewing. Using ‘full malt brew dry hopped with East Kent Goldings’, the brew encompasses all you would expect from a traditional English ale. Do not be fooled by this though, this amazing beverage is as Australian as a meat pie. The synchronization of the taste of English ale with that of having that distinct Australian, Boag’s taste is amazing. As with many boutique beers, there is an interesting history. “In 1929 the Great Flood swamped much of Launceston without warning. Wizard Smith, J. Boag & Son’s drayman, at great risk to himself sought to save the brewery horses. Riding his pushbike until he could go no further, he plunged into the rising floodwaters and swam into the stables, successfully leading the horses to dry ground. For his bravery Wizard was rewarded with a job for life”.
The seamless marriages of flavour in the beer aren’t what you would expect; sweetness and bitterness walk hand in hand. Fruity and spicy aromas compliment each other with the greatest of ease. The flavour is an incredibly complex one, but the perfect balance of these flavours has completed this as a superb boutique beer, but this blend has the makings for an easy-enough-to-drink session beer as well. Its pleasant aftertaste lingers in your mouth, and the aromatics tease your nose long after the drink has been taken.
The most unfortunate thing about this beer is the fact that it is only a Limited Edition. Currently, I have only seen it at 1st Choice or Dan Murphy’s Liquor barns, clocking in at around $16.99 per six pack, or just over $60 for a carton. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. This beer is worth finding. Well done, James Boag’s.
Rating (out of five):
Quick Facts : 5.0% alcohol – 375ml amber bottle – Twist top
Category : Ale, Beer Reviews
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Just a delightful ale with a very refreshing taste.
I have been trying to obtain a carton of Wizard Smith here in Adelaide however have had no luck.
Boags should brew another batch for say an annual release. It is too good an ale not to as it sells itself.
Enjoyed a taste of wizard ale after our tour of the brewery, why isnt this available on the mainland?
Its almost worth the $100 return air fare just to sample it again except the wife wont let me!
I bought a 6-pack after the tour only to find when I got home that it was mixed. Should have bought another.
Wizard Smith’s Ale is a top drop and unfortunately I’ve been unable to buy it on the mainland. I’ve emailed Lion Nathan to no avail except for the suggestion I contact a couple of pubs they listed but I reckon the postage might be a problem (also possible breakages). My solution has been to take the ute to Tassie and buy up big. It is a limited production brew and Boags Brewery has been running at full capacity to meet demand of it’s other products. It can be difficult to buy even in Launceston, when last there in June I had to go to three different bottle shops to get waht I wanted. All the shops had tales of shortages, How many do you want? I’ve only got two slabs etc. There is light as far a production is concerned,the goss from the Brewery is that they ceasing production of the Tasman Bitter (for Coles) so that will free up production hopefully.My top tip is if you’re in Tassie try to find Wizard on tap, a true marvel. Had a few pints with some wonderful scallops a the Stanley Pub mmmm heaven! Best news is I’m back there in October, time for a restock, have ute will travel.
Boags really need to pick up the ball, they have a great product which is constantly in demand in a limited market,
I’m in NSW and have tried speaking to Lion Nathan here and to no avail,
They should release it here with a bit of a marketing campaign and they would absolutely blitz the competition.
Just returned to W.A. from Tassie where i stubbled upon this fantastic drop called Wizard Smith.Come guys don’t deny the rest of Australia the opportunity to experience the taste and drinking pleasure of this world class ale.
I can’t agree more with the previous comments, Wizard is an excellent beer that I’d buy if only I could; I live in Melbourne. I first discovered Wizard as a draught beer in Stanley. Then at the Taste Festival in Hobart in 1998 (bottled only), I could even buy it at Hobart Airport, but sadly 1 year later the Taste Festivsl nor the airport sold it anymore. I visisted Stanley in November 2010, and the pub there is still selling it on draught, and I managed to get a case from a bottle shop in Hobart in December 2010, but The Taste atill wasn’t selling it. I found the pub at Lady Barron (Flinders Island) was selling it in bottles. Why is this beer so hard to get?
So many memories, so many similar comments to mine. I fondly remember an afternoon in mid December siting on the back deck of the Stanley hotel drinking pints of Wizard Smiths with some fantastic fish and chips. Luckily I have a friend coming up from Tassie this week with 8 cartons on board. Can’t wait. I too have emailed Boags with no luck. Bring the magic of the Wizard to the mainland!
Bring James Boag’s Wizard Smith’s Ale to the Mainland. Vist facebook & search ‘boags’. Join the group to show your support.
Sorry to hear you can’t get it on the mainland. I live in Launceston, and it is relatively easy to get here, but expensive – often $16-$20 for a 6 pack, sometimes you can get a case for $50 or $60, but it is usually more than that. But, when the weather is cool it is the best beer – I will get a six pack for tomorrow night, to drink chilled (but not cold) with some good cheese as an appetizer, before moving to a nice red (Tasmanian of course) with a hearty stew. Throw in a roaring fire and the football on telly, and Friday night is heaven! I only tend to drink it in the cooler months (May to October) tho’, I prefer a cold lager in summer.
[...] I don’t recall what the beers or cheese were that we tasted, but I agreed with most of the matches and enjoyed the discussion surrounding each beer. The story behind the Wizard Smith’s Ale was interesting, and the story can be found here. [...]
Just visited tassie. Drank several of these beauties. Wht an absolute cracker of an ale. I would appreciate info on how to purchase / have sent to my address on the Mainland.
Cheers.
I’ve been looking on and off for Wizard Smiths for almost the last 2 years in Perth since I was in Tas on holidays. I’ve looked and asked in plenty of Bottle shops. Dan Murphies and specialty beer shops all without luck. Looks like the only way I am going to get my Wizard Smiths fix is to go back to Tasmania as I doubt it will ever find its way over hear. What a tragedy! Boags don’t know what they are missing out on by not selling this beer on the mainland!
WOOP WOOP……..Wizard Smiths “should be avaiable” on the Mainland by FEB 2012.