A relatively new beer on the Australian market and from what I have heard a lot of people dislike this brew but I actually don’t think it’s that bad. For a mainstream beer with an alcohol volume of 6.5% it goes down alright. I would love to give you an insight into the unique ultrachill innovation that this beer is brewed with but it would seem that Carlton United Breweries who are owned by the Fosters Group are keeping it under raps, either that or it is a wild marketing ploy with no substance.

I am unsure weather it was from my test beer being chilled in the freezer an hour prior to drinking it or weather it is actually the beer itself, but after every sip it left my mouth with a numbing feeling similar to that after a swig of Listerine in the morning. The taste is very smooth and personally it tastes better then it’s less alcoholic brother Carlton Cold. It has a subtle sweet aroma and a medium yellow appearance. As for its nutritional value is has only .2 more calories per 100ml then the standard Carlton Cold, which is quite impressive since there is a 1.9% difference in alcohol per volume.

Having only tried the one bottle of this brew I can tell you it does go down well when served ice cold but as for making a night of it, I’ll let you decide on that one.

BeerAdvice rating (out of five):

I have heard of beers having high alcohol contents but when you really want them they are generally not readily available and this is true for this particular beer. Brewed and bottled in Italy by the Amarcord Company and currently imported into Australia by the Combined Wine & Foods Company, The Brunette is a double brown ale that is dubbed by its creators as a unique handcrafted designer beer. It has a cloudy amber appearance traditional to most ales and has a sickly sweet almost fruity aroma. The taste is without a doubt unique and one that you should try yourself to really appreciate it but basically it’s a strong, sweet fruity taste that leaves your mouth tingling with an after taste of malt.

It was only recently that I had the chance to sample this brew at an Italian restaurant called La Porchetta. It went very nicely with the oversized Chicken Parmigana that I ordered. The beer has an alcohol rating of 10% and comes in a 500ml bottle which contains approximately 4 standard drinks. It may sound pretty awesome but don’t get too excited because here are two reasons not to:

1. A bottle of this beer from La Porchetta will cost you $12 and
2. Since trying this beer I have been to both Dan Murphy’s and 1^st Choice and have been unable to find it at either store.

Trivial things aside this beer is not only unique in taste but also in its surroundings. As you can see in the image below it comes in what I can only describe as an old school rubber stopper top bottle, which can easily be reused at a later stage. On the bottle below where it says La Tabachéra the Australian version says The Brunette.

The Brunette makes good on its promise as a unique handcrafted designer beer but unfortunately due to its cost and unavailability at abundant liquor stores, most people may not have the chance to experience this exclusive Italian beer.

BeerAdvice rating (out of five):

Here is another classic German pilsner but with a twist, the price! Fully imported from the Oettinger group of breweries in Germany, a carton of this beer will currently set you back $29.90 from Dan Murphy’s. Similar to other German beers it is brewed in accordance with the German purity law of 1516 and as you would know this means no nasty hangovers the next morning.

At first glance all signs point to the fact this is a budget beer, the bottle labels are bland, the bottle cap has no markings, and the ‘carton’ isn’t really a carton but four 6-packs shrink wrapped together, but for $29.90 a carton who really cares. Fist appearances aside this beer has a dry bitter taste. The hops bitterness is not overpowering in any way but makes itself noticed. Much like other pilsners it has a sweet aroma and a pale yellow appearance.

Oettinger Pils is an above average cheap beer. If you’re after an inexpensive night of drinking and one that won’t leave you with a throbbing head the morning after you should give this understated beer a go.

BeerAdvice rating (out of five):

Holsten Premium is a pilsener beer that is brewed and bottled in the northern German port city of Hamburg by the Holsten Brauerei AG. Created from a masterful slow brewing process in Germany this beer is imported into Australia by McWilliam’s Wines.

Having a sweet taste and smell makes this beer appealing. When served cold it goes down smoother than a bald scalp and leaves your taste buds feeling refreshed and wanting more. Most of this would have a lot to do with the beer being brewed in strict accordance with the German Purity Law of 1516. The law stipulates in no uncertain terms that all ingredients used in the brewing process are natural and that no chemical additives or preservatives are permitted. This fortunately for us makes for a very smooth tasting beer and one that does not leave you with a head full of nails the morning after.

The downside of this beer is that it is not readily available in most pubs and clubs but you can purchase it from your local 1^st Choice or Dan Murphy’s. If you’re after a relaxed night in and want a smooth beer that goes down well time after time, Holsten Premium is the beer for you.

BeerAdvice rating (out of five):

This would have to be the first beer I have poured that looks more like a glass of coke than a glass of beer.

Sassy Red is brewed in New Zealand by Mac’s Brewery and it contains saaz hops, a unique and highly sort after variety.

I mentioned before the colour and appearance of this beer is nearly identical to coca-cola, it’s a dark amber colour and has a large amount of fizz when first poured which is unusual for a beer. Sassy Red has a very aromatic sweet fruity smell and the taste is nutty with a fruity aftertaste. This ale has a full taste and in my opinion does not really make for an easy drinking beer. This may be due to the fact the beer has five different types of malts in it.

There is no doubt this is a unique beer but unfortunately it’s to unique for my taste buds, maybe yours will think differently?

BeerAdvice rating (out of five):

Peroni, a beer or a fashion statement? You make your own mind up.

Watch the official Peroni TV advert below to help you decide.

This beer is something special. The first glass I poured for this review could have easily been mistaken for a glass of champagne had it not been poured into a pilsner glass. The beers colour is probably one of the lightest shades of yellow I have ever seen. It’s taste starts off bitter and dry and then transitions into a slightly fruity aftertaste. There isn’t much of a beer smell other than that given off by the hops. Peroni makes for an easy drinking beer.

Launched in 1964, Peroni Nastro Azzurro is brewed and bottled in Italy. It is fully imported into Australia and can be found easily at most bottle shops and bars. As you can see from the TV ad above, Peroni is marketed as more than just a beer – it’s an icon. The beer was born out of the same inherent cultural beliefs that were depicted in Federico Fellini’s film La Dolce Vita, which has been recreated in the above TV advertisement. Peroni’s creators were more than happy to pay homage to Fellini’s great film.

La Dolce Vita is an Italian classic and so is this.

BeerAdvice rating (out of five):

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 1^st 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.

BeerAdvice rating (out of five):

This Saturday the 6th, 1st Choice is having a Beer Festival!

Beerworld and 1st Choice are hosting a beer tasting event between 2-6pm with beers from all over the world and all participants will receive a free beer glass. There will also be great giveaways and if you purchase a six-pack on the day you will get a free Beerworld enviro bag and have the chance to win a Beerworld fridge. Not only is there all this beer goodness but there are going to be cheap prices on beer there all day! For more details check here

I hope everyone gives this event a go cause I know I will.

Without a doubt this would have to be one of the best tasting beers I have ever had the pleasure of drinking.

This beer is unlike any I have tried before and is actually classed as a fruit beer for reasons I will soon explain. It is created with the addition of two important and unique ingredients, ripened Morello cherries and elderberry juice. It is then left to mature in oak casks, where the ageing process can last for 2-3 years before the beer is ready for drinking. The result of all this is a truly beautiful tasting fruit beer with a distinct tartness.

Not only is the taste of this beer unique but so is its appearance. It has a cherry colour look and a pleasant fruity smell.

Unfortunately there are a few downsides to this beautiful beer;

1. Its price tag and

2. Its availability.

This may be due to the fact that it is fully imported from Belgium.

So if you’re looking to purchase the beer in bottled form you will generally be paying over $8 for a 375ml bottle and in my experience the best place to buy it from is 1^st Choice. However, if you’d rather experience this fantastic beer on tap then head to the Belgian Beer Café in Brisbane’s CBD. This is where I first tried this wonderful brew.

Overall this is a truly unique tasting beer and paying that little bit extra is well worth it. I highly recommend you try it out for yourself sometime.

BeerAdvice rating (out of five):

Is it a new or old beer, what do you think? It is actually old believe it or not!

Tooheys New has been bottled since 1976, the only difference is that it was brewed under a different name – Tooheys Draught.

Tooheys beers were created back in 1869 when two brothers from Ireland bought a brewery here in Australia. Tooheys Old Black Ale was one of their first creations and is still around to this day. Since 1869 the Tooheys brand has grown immensely and the results of this growth can easily be seen in most pubs and advertisements at many sporting events. Tooheys New is the official beer of the prestigious Melbourne Cup and is a proud supporter of the Australian Wallabies. Tooheys New is on tap at most local pubs and clubs and is also generally sold bottled or canned at these venues, making it one of the easiest beers to get your hands on.

This beer has a bitter taste to it, but don’t be turned off by this as it makes for a smooth, crisp drinking beer. It has a strong smell of hops and I believe you can nearly smell the bitterness lingering in the bottle. Light amber is the beer’s colour. A great advantage of this beer is that it is generally quite cheap to purchase, only the other day I saw a 6-pack going for $10 at Twin Towns RSL at Tweed Heads.

So if you’re after a cheap night or just want to give those taste buds a bitter twist, Tooheys New is the beer for you.

BeerAdvice rating (out of five):