54. White Rabbit Dark Ale

White Rabbit Dark Ale

Company info:
White Rabbit Brewery
Healesville, V.I.C

[No website listed]

Bottle size sampled: 330 mL

Alcohol: 5.2%
Standard drinks: 1.4

Cap type: Non-twist

Cost: I picked this up for AU$3.99

Label info: ‘N/A’

What the label really means: N/A

The Hell-Cat review starts here

Label: I really like this label. It’s a paper label with a matte finish and this has sold me immediately. Combine that with the fact the label depicts a beautifully tranquil forest scene, and we have a real winner. There are grand old trees standing beside a bubbling brook, with inviting leafy surrounds on either side. Amidst all this greenery and serenity, you can just spot a tiny white rabbit, leading us to believe this beer is a real treasure to be found amidst a sea of beers currently on the market. Ahh the serenity.

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

AROMA: A delicious malty aroma that is all together surprising, and enticing.

Taste: GLASS – This is probably the smoothest dark ale I have ever tasted. With a loving “I’m spending the night” back of mouth taste, the beer rolls around the mouth with the utmost of ease. A rich, malty, almost-burnt taste that conjures up an array of comforting emotions. Time for me to put on the slippers and sit back with the latest edition of “Homely Man” (and not its poor cousin, “Homey Man”).

I give it a beer from glass rating of 7.5 out of 10.

Taste: BOTTLE – Slightly watery and less flavoursome when consumed from the bottle, but it still packs a perky punch. Think of it as your hot water bottle springing a tiny leak at 3am – sure it’s still keeping you warm but gee that’s an annoying wet feeling tickling your toes.

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

A word from the wife: “Sweet, and tastes of berries”

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

Accompanying food: Like a nice hearty tawny port, I’d like to sit back and drink a White Rabbit Dark Ale with a plate of select cheeses, crackers, and nuts. I feel the bitterness of a blue-vein cheese would really make this beer pop.

Best season to appreciate: Definitely a Winter warmer. This is one for beside the fire place. And possibly involving a dressing gown. [Ed: Your third reference to sleep-wear in this review…you must be tired] [MHC: Ed? Since when have I had an Ed working on this blog?] [Ed: Don’t you remember, Mason? You had a meeting with yourself and voted me in..] [MHC: Ok this is getting weird…I’m off to bed] [Ed: As predicted…] [MHC: Shuttup!]

All-nighter beer? Definitely for the first half of the evening I would be throwing these back with great frivolity. But as the night developed, I’d want to move to a lighter coloured beer.

NEXT WEEK: Menabrea Birra