40. Weihenstephaner Pilsner

Weihenstephaner Pilsner

 

Company info:
Brauerei Weihenstephan
GERMANY

[www.weihenstephaner.de]

Bottle size sampled: 500 mL

Alcohol: 5.1%
Standard drinks: 2.0

Cap type: Non-twist

Cost: I picked this up for AU$4.99

Label info: N/A

What the label really means: N/A

The Hell-Cat review starts here

Label: The label for the Weihenstaphaner Pilsner is a very regal, traditional, official looking label. It looks like it is designed to be consumed by royalty and it gives the beer instant class and street cred (particularly if the street in question borders a massive castle). It’s not a label that I would design, given half a chance, but it isn’t too painful on the eyes.

I give it a label rating of 5.5 out of 10.

AROMA: A strong wheaty smell wafts up, inviting me to take a gulp ASAP.

Taste: GLASS – This pilsner pours out in a nice, golden yellow. I have a sip and am struck by the smoothness of this beer. It tastes great. It’s very lightly carbonated, and this helps in the smoothness. A traditional pilsener style, the Weihenstephaner Pilsner is distinctly hoppy, very mellow, and with a subtly delicious bitter after taste.

I give it a beer from glass rating of 8.5 out of 10.

Taste: BOTTLE - Still good, but loses some of the complexity in flavour, and the added aroma. I am still very impressed by this beer.

I give it a taste from bottle rating of 8 out of 10.

A word from the wife: “Soft and mellow with a lingering sweetness of greygum honey”

She gave it a taste rating of 7 out of 10.

Accompanying food: This beer would really compliment some spicy Asian, Indian, or Mexican food. Being that it’s a very mellow beer, I’d love to see it kicked into action against these spicy overlords.

Best season to appreciate: This is the ideal Summer accompaniment. It would go well at any outdoor Summer event from music festivals to beach fiestas. Don’t leave home without it.

All-nighter beer? Yes! The fact this beer is so smooth, and particularly so lightly carbonated means this brew could easily be thrown back all night and you wouldn’t get sick of it.

NEXT WEEK: Mountain Goat Steam Ale

39. James Squire Sundown Lager

James Squire Sundown Lager

 

Company info:
Malt Shovel Brewery
CAMPERDOWN, N.S.W 

[www.james-squire.com.au]

Bottle size sampled: 345 mL

Alcohol: 4.4%
Standard drinks: 1.2

Cap type: Non-twist

Cost: I picked this up for AU$TBC

Label info: ’James Squire was an industrious man, but he was also a firm believer in marking the end of a long day’s work with a decent beer. He set up his legendary Malting Shovel Tavern for this very reason. When the sun gets too hot for any sensible work to continue people came from far and wide to relax together during the time they called “sundown”. In honour of this fine tradition, we’ve brewed a crisp and refreshing lager. What better way to unwind at the day’s end?‘
AND
‘A thirst-quenching lager for all occasions, brewed using pale and carapils malts and a unique blend of hops. Crisp and refreshing with hoppy aromas that hint of citrus and freshly cut grass’ 

What the label really means: I love the story behind James Squire and his often recounted tales of convict origins (there is always a small, fascinating bio about Squire on each bottle). It adds to the mythology of early brewers in Australia and impresses upon us their pioneering spirit. The idea of a beer designed to be an after-work drink, to be consumed during relaxation really appeals to me – let’s see if the taste supports this.

The Hell-Cat review starts here

Label: The Malt Shovel Brewery (MSB) mob are renowned for very old-school, tradition filled labels. They always look as though they could be labels from 150+ years ago when Squire himself would have been brewing the goods. I also appreciate the fact that the bottles have a raised engraving of two shovels, and the company name – it adds to the charm of the brew, and the traditional feel. My only complaint with the MSB labels is that they are often over-ridden with text. Sure the story of Squire and co is intriguing but it seems like every available piece of space is taking up with text. Ahh but I can’t really hold that against them…it’s James Squire – Australia’s original Master Brewer (I can see a TV show in that…possibly involving Matt Preston). 

I give it a label rating of 7 out of 10.

AROMA: This brew has a deliciously enticing smell of Summer fruits! I get mango and citrus hints wafting up, along with a distinct smack of Summer. 

Taste: GLASS – The Sundown Lager pours out a beautiful golden colour, again reinforcing this as the beer for Summer. It’s a refreshing, perfectly carbonated (tiny bubbles of carbonation make this roll off the tongue), citrus infused lager. It’s delicious, thirst quenching, fresh tasting, and flavoursome, while also displaying the boldness of a real lager. 

I give it a beer from glass rating of 8.5 out of 10.

Taste: BOTTLE - Drink this from the bottle and you’ll lose the refreshing aroma, and a little of the Summer experience. It’s still great and could certainly be consumed from the bottle but somehow it feels a little Autumn-esque. 

I give it a taste from bottle rating of 7.5 out of 10.

A word from the wife: “Relaxed fruity mellowness…delicious! Very easy to drink”

She gave it a taste rating of 7.5 out of 10.

Accompanying food: I’m talking Summer BBQ’d goods with this stuff. Roll out the ribs, roll out the buffalo wings, the sausages, steaks, and chargrilled vegies. You can’t go wrong!

Best season to appreciate: Probably the most refreshing, thirst quenching lager I have tasted and definitely a Summer brew. It’s a beauty and a highly recommended beer of choice for Christmas.

All-nighter beer? Yes, yes, yes! I’ll be drinking this all-night, and keep going until the sun goes down once again.

NEXT WEEK: Weihenstephaner Pilsner

38. Spitfire Kentish Ale

Spitfire Kentish Ale

 

Company info:
Shepherd Neame
FAVERSHAM KENT, ENGLAND

[www.shepherdneame.co.uk]

Bottle size sampled: 500 mL

Alcohol: 4.5%
Standard drinks: 1.8

Cap type: Non-twist

Cost: I picked this up for AU$TBC

Label info: ‘This 4.5% Kentish Ale was first brewed in 1990 to celebrate the Battle of Britain which was fought in the skies above Kent 50 years earlier. The beer is named after the legendary aircraft designed by R J Mitchell. The versatility of the aircraft and the courage of its pilots were essential to victory and were a key symbol of the spirit of the time. Through our award winning advertising and fundraising activities for veterans’ charities that spirit lives on’.

What the label really means: Definitely a bottle that rings of history and heroics, commemorating an important battle. I like the background this beer has been given.

The Hell-Cat review starts here

Label: Despite talk of air battles involving Spitfire aircraft, battling it out in the skies about Kent, the label shows no visual evidence of this. Perhaps I am thinking a bit too literally, but I expected to see an image of a grand ol Spitfire cruising through sunset lit clouds. In the cockpit I expected an image of a war hero giving a wink to the drinker as if to say ‘Bottoms up ol chap’. Instead, Spitfire Kentish Ale has opted for what looks like a typically conservative, patriotic label, using the very British red white and blue colour scheme. Sure it looks distinguished, and sure it looks like a label that could well have been around during the Battle of Britain….but where is the Spitfire with guns ablazing? This is too ’sit on the fence’ for me. 

I give it a label rating of 5 out of 10.

AROMA: A deliciously fruity, malty smell.

Taste: GLASS – The Spitefire Kentish Ale pours out in a beautiful amber colour. It’s enough to make me sit and admire the colour for a couple of seconds before tasting. I take a sip and am pleasantly surprised by the fact that this ale appears very lightly carbonated, with a real creamy texture – in a sense it reminds me a little of Kilkenny in mouth feel. It has a rather pleasant caramelly, bitter, burnt after taste, and while I am enjoying this tasting, I can help feeling as though it is sitting a little heavily. I’d like to suggest that Spitfire Kentish Ale tastes as though it is the bastard son of James Squire Amber Ale, and Kilkenny. It’s very unique, very bold, and very flavoursome – but still sitting very heavily.

I give it a beer from glass rating of 7 out of 10.

Taste: BOTTLE - The smoothness of this beer is reinforced when sampled from the bottle. I am finding it just as enjoyable…in fact I would say it’s a little better than from the glass and it’s not feeling as heavy. I’d love to know what this stuff tastes like on tap!

I give it a taste from bottle rating of 7.5 out of 10.

A word from the wife: “Definitely don’t enjoy the after taste…not one for the ladies…I wouldn’t be able to finish this”

She gave it a taste rating of 2.5 out of 10.

Accompanying food: Given I found this beer a tad heavy, you’d think I’d suggest something light such as a fresh garden salad but I can’t help thinking the gutsiness of this beer would be best reinforced with a good old Irish stew or shepherd’s pie.

Best season to appreciate: Definitely a Winter brew. One for the apres skiier/boarder or for sitting around the fireplace.

All-nighter beer? I could easily drink 5-6 of these and be satisfied, but realise I’d need to change to something lighter (in colour and flavour) for the rest of the night. All night on the Spitfire and I have a feeling I would wake up feeling like I’ve been run over by a double decker bus.

NEXT WEEK: James Squire Sundown Lager (by popular demand)

37. Beechworth Pale Ale

Beechworth Pale Ale

 

Company info:
Bride Road Brewers
BEECHWORTH, V.I.C

[www.bridgeroadbrewers.com.au]

Bottle size sampled: 330 mL

Alcohol: 4.8%
Standard drinks: 1.3

Cap type: Non-twist

Cost: I picked this up for AU$TBC

Label info: ‘Bridge Road Brewers, located in the Historic Beechworth, proudly boasts some of Australia’s best ales. Hands on, small batch brewing ensures these ales are the real deal. Visit us and sample the range at Tanswell’s Old Coach House…’.

What the label really means: Brewed in a town steeped in history, this sounds like it will be a very interesting drop.

The Hell-Cat review starts here

Label: It’s not too clear from the photo I have taken, but Bridge Road Brewers have a logo that is of a topless Ned Kelly, standing there in his helmet, with a large bridge in the background and road running underneath. Now, I am cool with the fact that they have taken an almost Sidney Nolan approach to their depiction of Ned Kelly, but what is with the no shirt? Ned Kelly, one of Australia’s most infamous historical figures was a feared outlaw. He robbed people blind, shot cops, and probably drank plenty of good Australian beer. So why is he portrayed here without a shirt? He’s gone from feared highwayman to Sydney Mardi Gras mascot with a few quick paintbrush splashes. This blatant mocking of Ned, combined with the massive overuse of gold (I don’t want to look like I am drinking a Carlton Crown here!), and a cramped cursive font leaves me with a real bitter taste in my mouth. And I have even opened the bottle yet.

I give it a label rating of 4 out of 10.

AROMA: A beautiful hoppy aroma that is vaguely reminiscent to Little Creatures Pale Ale.

Taste: GLASS – At first sip, Beechworth Pale Ale tastes quite fruity and soft. And then it hits with a sharp, bitter, alcoholic punch. It has an earthy, dirt taste to it which could be appealing if it was a little more subtle. I was ready on first sip to rate this beer quite highly but like a shirtless Ned Kelly, it’s left me a little confused.

I give it a beer from glass rating of 6 out of 10.

Taste: BOTTLE - Wow, I think this beer is way better from the bottle. It loses the alcoholic punch and re-emphasises a bitter sweet hoppy flavour. This is really quite enjoyable.

I give it a taste from bottle rating of 7.5 out of 10.

A word from the wife: “Overly wheaty, and overly carbonated on my poor li’l throat…a bit too much punch for me…”

She gave it a taste rating of 6 out of 10.

Accompanying food: I’d like to retry this beer with a pastry item such as a hearty beef and Guinness pie, or vegetable pastie. I think the earthiness of this beer would really shine and compliment the pastry well.

Best season to appreciate: I didn’t feel like it was a thirst quencher, so maybe it’s more suited for the cooler months. This seems an unusual thing to suggest for a pale ale (more destined as Summer coolers in my experience) but trust me on this.

All-nighter beer? Not for me I don’t think. Sure it went back smooth enough, but it would have to be consumed from the bottle. And free.

NEXT WEEK: Spitfire Kentish Ale

36. Pike’s New Sparkling Oakbank Beer

Pike’s New Sparkling Oakbank Beer

 

Company info:
Pikes Beer Company Pty Ltd
SEVENHILL, S.A 

[No website listed on bottle]

Bottle size sampled: 330 mL

Alcohol: 4.5%
Standard drinks: 1.2

Cap type: Non-twist

Cost: I picked this up for AU$TBC

Label info: ‘Henry Pike left Dorset England in 1878 and sailed into Port Adelaide aboard the HM Oaklands, settling at Oakbank in the Adelaide Hills. He quickly established a reputation for his fine home brewed beer, a craft he learnt as a boy from his mother in Dorset. In 1886 he founded Pikes Oakbank Brewery, producing a range of fine ales, stout and tonic water. In 1996, Pikes Oakbank Beer was re-introduced by fifth generation descendants of Henry Pike, brothers Andrew and Neil Pike of Pikes Wines in the Clare Valley of South Australia. By adopting a similar hand crafted philosophy to the original brewery, Pikes New Sparkling Oakbank Beer is again available for your enjoyment’.

What the label really means: I love a label/beer with a good story behind it (Malt Shovel Brewery beers are another fine example). With each sip I feel more immersed in the story and it seems to give a real justification for the taste. After reading the Pike’s New Sparkling Oakbank Beer story, I am fascinated. Henry Pike seemed like he was one of Australia’s true legends. I love the fact that (a) he learnt how to home brew from his mum! (Mrs Pike, you too are in the legend category), and (b) he learnt the techniques “as a boy” (ie, he had a life-long fascination and respect for the amber ale). Whether his story is true as written here, or whether there was a darker ‘Underbelly’ mafioso side to the man, I don’t care – he’s presented here as an early Australian brewer, and for that, Henry Pike, I salute you.

The Hell-Cat review starts here

Label: The first thing I think of when looking at this label is a canoe/camping trip into the wilderness. Birds are twittering (leaving updates such as ‘Just saw an earthworm. Dayaaam! I wannit!’), water is softly lapping at the shore, trees gently sway in the warm Summer breeze. And then all hell breaks loose as the banjos start up, and toothless hillbillies come screaming out of the bushes, shotguns waved above their heads. The label has this level of mystique, danger, adventure, and banjos. It could be a label from 1886, or it could have been designed yesterday – that’s the beauty of this thing. I love the font, I love the colour scheme, I love the striking Pike fish. This is one beer I want to crack the top off of.

I give it a label rating of 8 out of 10.

AROMA: I pour this one out and am hit with a deliciously earthy, hoppy aroma.

Taste: GLASS – This is a super smooth beer with a genuinely great hoppy flavour. In fact it’s bursting with flavour. This is all rounded off with a pleasant bitter after taste. I am really enjoying this brew and am confident to classify it in the pilsener category.

I give it a beer from glass rating of 8.5 out of 10.

Taste: BOTTLE - Drinking Pike’s New Sparkling Oakbank Beer from the bottle, a lot of the complexities are lost. It’s a bit harsher in taste, and nowhere near as enjoyable.

I give it a taste from bottle rating of 6.5 out of 10.

A word from the wife: “Robustly fruity and easy to drink”

She gave it a taste rating of 8 out of 10.

Accompanying food: I’d like to suggest Pike fish is had with this beer, but I have never tried it. Instead I’d like to suggest that this accompanies a nice juicy, fatty, pork chop with mash and/or sauerkraut. I think the saltiness in these foods would make the beer explode in the mouth.

Best season to appreciate: This is the beer equivalent of a refreshing glass of homemade lemonade. Because it slides back so easily, with it’s delicious hoppy flavours, I say this would work wonders on a warm Summer afternoon.

All-nighter beer? For sure!

NEXT WEEK: Beechworth Pale Ale

35. Tsingtao

Tsingtao

 

Company info:
Tsingtao Brewery
QINGDAO, CHINA

[No site listed on bottle]

Bottle size sampled: 330 mL

Alcohol: 4.7%
Standard drinks: 1.1

Cap type: Non-twist

Cost: I picked this up for AU$3.20

Label info: ‘Since 1903 our beer has been internationally recognised as the finest beer in China. Our master brewers choose only the finest hops and malted barley to produce this award winning beer’.

What the label really means: Well la di da! Look at us! We’re internationally recognised! Internationally recognised.
In all fairness, this is a pretty decent label description, despite the text requiring a magnifying glass to be read. 

The Hell-Cat review starts here

Label: I like the metallic looking green and gold label, the Chinese characters, the Tsingtao (pronounced ‘Ching-Dow’) font, and the little logo. What I don’t like is the neck label giving me details on how I can win a trip to Beijing. Advertising a competition on the label? What, am I drinking Tooheys Extra Dry here? I believe the neck label has been added by the Australian importers of Tsingtao, so unfortunately the low rating is due to their evil hand.

I give it a label rating of 4.5 out of 10.

AROMA: This smells good! A delicious malty, full flavoured aroma wafts out!

Taste: GLASS – This pours really light in colour with an average sized head. I take a sip and note that it is very lightly carbonated…it’s almost to the point where I am searching for a use-by date, indignant that the bottle is flat. I can’t find any indication that something may be wrong with this bottle so I look to the company’s website that informs me “spring water from China’s Laoshan mountain region” is used in the brewing and I wonder if this has caused the lack of carbonation…maybe it has some property that kills bubbles!
On the upside, the light carbonation means it is very smooth. There is a slight citrus taste with an enticingly bitter aftertaste.

I give it a beer from glass rating of 6 out of 10.

Taste: BOTTLE - It’s a little more flavoursome from the bottle (perfect if you order one of these at your local Chinese restaurant and get handed a small water tumbler and told it’s a beer glass), with a stronger bitter hit. But still very mild. It goes back a tad easier here. Bubbles? Where are you? (and I’m not referring to the one under Michael Jackson’s bed)

I give it a taste from bottle rating of 6.5 out of 10.

A word from the wife: “Flat and unenjoyable”

She gave it a taste rating of 3 out of 10.

Accompanying food: Being that this is so light in flavour, I can’t help thinking it has been designed to be consumed with spicy Asian dishes. I suggest a hot Chinese or Thai dish, and the Tsingtao in your greasy palm will hit like a gentle breeze down your trouser leg.

Best season to appreciate: A real Summer beer here folks. Enjoy in the sun.

All-nighter beer? I’d like more carbonation (I still can’t get over this point….), but yeah I’d give it a go all-night!

Other notes: If you believe I have sampled a dodgy bottle, with less carbonation than is normal, let me know! I may just have to re-sample at a later date.  

Farewell Movember: This month I participated in Movember to raise awareness for male depression, and prostate cancer. If you’d like to donate to my tash, head here.

NEXT WEEK: Pike’s Oakbank Beer

34. St Arnou Pilsner

St. Arnou Pilsner

 

Company info:
St. Arnou Pty Ltd
SYDNEY, N.S.W

www.st-arnou.com.au

Bottle size sampled: 330 mL

Alcohol: 4.5%
Standard drinks: 1.2

Cap type: Non-twist

Cost: I picked this up for AU$3.20

Label info: ‘St. Arnou premium beers are a lasting tribute to Arnold of Metz. A lover of beer, he was proclaimed St. Arnou, Patron Saint of Brewing in 640AD.
He was born in 580AD in Metz, France. During his life he converted from an advisor to the Roman army, to becoming a monk and then Bishop of Metz. St. Arnou died in 640AD whereafter the citizens of Metz ceremoniously returned his body home. During this journey a miracle happened. At an ale house in the town of Champigneulle, the tired porters carrying his coffin received a mug of ale that never ran dry ‘ 
AND
‘Pilsner – The miracle of Czech Saaz hops and their citrusy flavours define this Pilsner. With triple filtering for purity, the hop aroma is balanced by just the right bitterness to deliver a naturally crisp and full flavoured beer’. 

What the label really means: Could this amazing story of St. Arnou and the miraculous ever-flowing beer mug be simply a marketing ploy, or did this really happen? I I like to believe that it did actually happen, but it has me asking a few questions. If the mug never ran dry, did the porters hang on to it? Did it get smashed over the head of some lonely pilgrim in a bar fight over a game of pool and the dubious two shot rule? Is it kept guarded somewhere safe, like the grail in the third Indiana Jones film, awaiting a worthy recipient? It’s got me intrigued and excited, caught up in the mythos, and I haven’t even had my first sip!

The Hell-Cat review starts here

Label: The folk at St. Arnou brewery have obviously gone for a premium, imported beer, look and feel. This is accentuated by the tongue in cheek text ‘Imported from Australia’. St. Arnou is targeting the premium beer drinker market, but thankfully without the price tag you may expect from genuinely imported beers. I like the label. I like the traditional look it has, the regal purple, the bishop head piece on the logo. It all just works.

I give it a label rating of 8 out of 10.
 

AROMA: A sweet, fresh, hoppy aroma wafts out.

Taste: GLASS – Quite light in colour, the pilsner sits winking at me with its full-bodied head and raised brow. I take a sip and find it to be very enticing. It’s good! It’s refreshing and smooth, it has a markedly bitter hoppy taste, but counteracted with a sweet honey after taste. 

I give it a beer from glass rating of 7 out of 10.

Taste: BOTTLE - Drinking from the bottle takes the edge off the hoppy bitterness but doesn’t quite have the complexity of drinking from the glass. I still enjoy it, but with each sip I feel I am missing something important.

I give it a taste from bottle rating of 7 out of 10.

A word from the wife: “Fizzy, full-bodied fruitiness”

She gave it a taste rating of 6 out of 10.

Accompanying food: The prevalent bitterness in this beer makes me suggest this as a good pre-dinner drink. It will open up the salivary glands and get you feeling starved. I’d love to have this with peanuts, pretzls, and dried fruit.

Best season to appreciate: Totally a warmer months beer, and if I owned the mug of ever-flowing goodness, I’d put its powers to the test.

All-nighter beer? On first sip I didn’t think I could have this all night, but it’s really grown on me. So I will say yes, this is an all-nighter beer.

NEXT WEEK: Tsingtao

33. Birra Moretti

Birra Moretti

 

Company info:
Heineken Italia
Milan, ITALY

[No website listed]

Bottle size sampled: 330 mL

Alcohol: 4.6%
Standard drinks: 1.2

Cap type: Non-twist

Cost: I picked this up for AU$2.90

Label info: N/A

What the label really means: N/A

The Hell-Cat review starts here

Label: This label really has me a little torn. On the one hand it could be seen as a traditional label depicting a real classy gent with an impressive moustache sitting down to a big mug of beer. You can almost smell the ambience of his surroundings, and the warmth of the room in which he sits. On the other hand the gent could be seen as the sleazy Uncle everyone tries to avoid at a 21st birthday, who looks as though he is about to fall asleep into his beer. And, like a dyslexic fireman, I am leaning towards the latter.

I give it a label rating of 5 out of 10.

AROMA: It smells delicious, bursting with hoppy, fruity goodness. 

Taste: GLASS – It pours out very light in colour, and being made by Heineken I really expected something similar. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised by a more hoppy tasting beer with a deliciously bitter after taste. It tastes as good as it smells! 

I give it a beer from glass rating of 8 out of 10.

Taste: BOTTLE - The flavour is still there in all its glory and intensity but it tastes a little flatter, and this is a minor defect.

I give it a taste from bottle rating of 7.5 out of 10.

A word from the wife: “I think it’s a beer that makes me want more…more beer…and it produced a hefty burp”

She gave it a taste rating of 7.5 out of 10.

Accompanying food: Something tomato based would really accentuate and compliment the flavours of this beer. I would love to sit down and drink one with a traditional spaghetti bolognese or lasagna.

Best season to appreciate: Because of the intense, full-flavoured hoppiness, I suggest this as more of a cold weather beer that is sure to warm the cockles of any sleazy Uncle’s heart.

All-nighter beer? Yes, I would be more than willing to drink this all night!

NEXT WEEK: St Arnou Pilsener

32. Estrella Damm

Estrella Damm

 

 

Company info:
S.A Damm
Barcelona, SPAIN

[www.estrelladamm.es]

Bottle size sampled: 330 mL

Alcohol: 4.6%
Standard drinks: 1.2

Cap type: Non-twist

Cost: I picked this up for AU$3.50

Label info: ’La Cerveza de Barcelona. Estrella Damm, the premium quality beer brewed in Barcelona since 1876. Today it remains at the heart of city life. Enjoy the taste of Barcelona.’

What the label really means: Great label description.

The Hell-Cat review starts here

Label: The label for Estrella Damm, with it’s bold gold star reeks of revolution. It reeks of liberation. It reeks of freedom. It also reeks of tradition, quality, and a beer not to be messed with. The label is tough, staunch, unblinking in the face of a pudgy, angry dictator with a penchant for tight trousers. It stares down authority and gives the finger to establishment. Let the Estrella Damm revolution begin.

I give it a label rating of 8 out of 10.

AROMA: There’s a soft, citrus and wheaty aroma. It’s giving me psychadelic flashbacks of the previously reviewed ‘Bluebottle beer’.

Taste: GLASS – Estrella Damm is a pilsener, and as such is really quite pale in colour. Based on this appearance, and the soft aroma I expected a mellow, light flavoured, watery beer. But, this is a lager that packs a strong bitter punch. I am really enjoying this.

I give it a beer from glass rating of 7 out of 10.

Taste: BOTTLE - Although I would not have found it necessary, drinking from the bottle seems to mellow this beer out. It tastes less feisty with the bitterness smoothing out in intensity.

I give it a taste from bottle rating of 7.5 out of 10.

A word from the wife: “Not too heavy…not too light…it’s just right…but perhaps a bit watery”

She gave it a taste rating of 6 out of 10.

Accompanying food: Bring me a Spanish plated fiesta of baby octopus, squid, olives, eggplant, and chorizo all drizzling in olive oil.

Best season to appreciate: This would be an ideal Summer thirst quencher, best consumed prior to siesta.

All-nighter beer? Yes, I think so! 

NEXT WEEK: Birra Moretti

31. Red Emperor Amber Ale

Red Emperor Amber Ale

 

Company info:
Fish Rock Brewery
MITTAGONG, N.S.W

www.fishrockbrewery.com.au

Bottle size sampled: 330 mL

Alcohol: 4.5%
Standard drinks: 1.2

Cap type: Non-twist

Cost: I picked this up for AU$TBC

Label info: ‘Inspired by classic top fermented ales. Amarillo hops provide passionfruit aromas whilst warm fermentation creates complex fruity charactersitics. This is finished with a fine citrus note of cascade hops keeping the palate lifted throughout the lingering bitterness’ AND ‘This beer is created preservative free using the finest hops and malted barley’.

What the label really means: The label description has definitely intrigued me.

The Hell-Cat review starts here

Label: The label has a shiny, metallic feel to it, and to good effect. It’s red and silver, and shows a small image of a mistress of the deep, a coquettish mermaid. The neck label, displaying the Fish Rock logo enhances the nautical feel of this beer and I really like it. My only problem with the label is the amount of text they have squished above the ‘Red Emperor’ text – it just looks a bit busy.

 

I give it a label rating of 7 out of 10.

AROMA: There’s a delicious cinnamon, wheaty smell wafting up from the glass. I am very keen to taste this.

Taste: GLASS – The amber ale pours out rather golden, with a tinge of red. It tastes spiced, sort of cinnamon, and it is really quite enjoyable, nay delicious. It reminds me of a beer that I can’t quite recall…I think it may be Samuel Adams but I’m not sure – I will have to review that one soon to be sure.

I give it a beer from glass rating of 8 out of 10.

Taste: BOTTLE - This beer is definitely not as interesting from the bottle. It loses a lot of the interesting ’spiced’ flavour I tasted in the glass, and it also tastes a little flatter.

I give it a taste from bottle rating of 6.5 out of 10.

A word from the wife: “Robustly fruity, and a bit too heavy for me”

She gave it a taste rating of 5 out of 10.

Accompanying food: Give me something meaty, and something with a big, rich gravy sauce. Perhaps an osso bucco, or an Irish stew.

Best season to appreciate: Ordinarily with amber ales, I can only really appreciate them in the Winter months, however the Red Emperor with its genuine smoothness would really work all year round. I think this is helped by the light colouring of the beer.

All-nighter beer? I think so! Bring it on!

NEXT WEEK: Estrella Damm