News
Consumer’s Association Targets Labelling
I probably get as many comments about this as anything else about beer. A couple of points to note…
- While it’s unlikely that the beer that is brewed here will taste exactly the same as the beer tastes in it’s country of origin, imported beer that you drink here is unlikely to taste the same as the same batch drunk fresh in its home country either.
- As a rule, beer doesn’t travel well. Pastuerised lagers are at their best as they leave their brewery. By the time they have spent considerable time getting here they can be well past their best anyway…especially if they aren’t handled as well as they should be. Cartons sitting on the back of a truck or pallets sitting in a bottleshop carpark baking on a hot summer’s day waiting to be taken inside are going to be aging badly.
- The local version, brewed under licence, is still subject to very stringent quality control and is still very much a “premium” beer (whatever that is). You are often much better off buying the local version rather than the imported.
The upshot is, if you like the flavour of the beer – drink it and enjoy it. If you’re just buying the beer because you think it’s imported, you are often handing over your money for a beer that is in a worse condition than the locally brewed equivalent. Even better, if the style you like is brewed by a local craft brewer, drink that one and support the local craft brewing industry.
Winey Fosters less attractive takover target
Interviews
Ian Watson (Head Brewer – Mt Tamborine Brewery)
Mt Tamborine Brewery is now offically opened with Queensland beer legend Ian Watson in control of the mash paddle.
Website: www.mtbeer.com
Address: 165-185 Long Rd, North Tamborine QLD 4272
Phone: (07) 5545 2032
Mel (Manager Brewers Choice)
If you’re on the last minute hunt for a Christmas present for the brewer (or potential brewer) in your life, drop into your local homebrew store and get a homebrew starter kit – or a brewing gadget or gizmo.
Brewers Choice Enoggera
394 Samford Rd, Enoggera Ph: 3855 8800
Opposite Gaythorne Railways Station
enoggera@brewerschoice.com.au
Beers Sampled
La Fin du Monde (Unibroue, Canada)
Belgian-style golden ale
9% ABV
A wonderfully flavoured beer guaranteed to bring over the staunchest wine drinker to beer. Drink with a triple-cream brie cheese or by itself as you contemplate the enduring mysteries of life.
Rogue Mocha Porter (USA)
Porter
5.3% ABV
They don’t lie when they call this mocha…strong aroma of chocolate and coffee, with a smooth and creamy chocolate flavour, with a hint of roasty bitterness and a dry finish. Match up to chocolate cake…or even Christmas ham.
