Emersons Pilsner

One of the boys at work (Harry) did something of a pislner challenge. He tried the Emerons, the Squire and and Meantime in one session.... what a great idea (wish i had thought to do it myself).

Harry's order was Meantime at number one then Emersons, then Squire although i got the impression that rating one of these great beers over the other was a tormenting task.

It did get me thinking (once again) about just how good a well made Pilsner is...

I would not be able to rate these beers against one another. I honestly think they are as good as each other.

I first tried an Emersons Pilsner when Knight fine wines where rather nervously bringing it into the country about 4 years ago. Nervous because it retails for about $7.90 a bottle which back then, seemed like a lot to pay for a beer (even in 500ml) which didn't come from Belgium..... how far we have come in 4 years.

This is as good as i remember. There is so much complexity in this beer. Light cloudy yellow in colour with a good size, creamy head which holds itself the whole time the beer is in a glass. Its got some lovely bitter, herbaceous and tropical fruit (im really not sure how it can do all that at once). There are hints of orange zest and that great full hops flavour that i have been getting lately. The finnish is so clean because all the fruit is concentrated in the middle pallet.

Really enjoyed this beer.

Dan

Eugene city brewery, Track Town Pale Ale

Tasted three new beers in the bar with Graham yesterday. I managed to get an 'action' shot of the master taster (with the master moustache). Notice the pen in hand for making tasting notes... we do take this very seriously.

The new beers where all American. The one i am writing about is this one pictured the ' Track Town' Triple Jump, pale ale from Eugene City Brewery in Oregon.

My first experience with American Pale ale comes from drinking Little Creatures pale ale. Now an iconic Australian beer, Little Creatures uses American hops which gives it a taste i can now recognise as American Pale. Unlike India Pale Ales, which are malty and less bitter, these American ones are clean and really hop driven.

So the Triple Jump is a beautiful colour, yellow straw and has a ripper creamy head with a fine beed. The nose is astringent and herbaceous, you can really smell the hops (if your not sure what hops smell like, stick your nose into a Little Creatures). From the nose i thought this would be more sour to taste but there is an ever so slight sweetness and then a dry, bitter finish. Bitter to the point of being a bit green, but it is all pretty well balanced and enjoyable to drink. There was no Alc. reading on the bottle?

American pale is really interesting and for me, an agreeable style of beer. The only problem with this one is that it is not coming to Australia...... yet.

Dan

Meantime India Pale Ale

Greenwich, England

7.5% alc/vol

$19 (750ml)

Dan has already given you a heads up the Meantime beers, a great selection of brews. India Pale Ale (IPA) is a style of beer created over 200 years ago, which it was said 'benefited from the long journey from Britain to India'

I'm not sure if this ale tastes better for the journey from England to Australia but it is a damn fine drop, plus it's in a 750ml bottle with a metal cap over the cork that states 'remove cork, hold glass open end up, pour, taste, swallow' never has a better piece of advice arisen from a beer bottle.

First thing you notice is the dark brooding colour, and dense firm head when you pour the beer. A mean hoppy, grassy nose, with a sweet edge, I love this style of beer, it gives off so much aroma, I could almost just sit and smell it. But then that wouldn't be much fun at all. On the palate it feels quite full and rich, quite viscous, again it has an extreme edge of hops and a bitter bite. More of a food drink, and perhaps big enough to share (maybe)

If you want to learn a bit more about IPA, Meantime have created a off-shoot website funnily enough called indiapaleale.com, a must if you want to learn about the origins of this absolutely fantastic beer.

Eistenbahn Strong Golden Ale

First let me say that i could not agree more whole heartily with Grahams comments below regarding the Eistenbahn brews. These beers are great.

Thankfully Graham has done all the history so will get on with the tasting. 

I feel a bit foolish because the label of this one tuned me off. Almost to the point that i thought it was another one of those gimmicky, get you in with the funny label type things. Its just a bit odd with the 'wild west' font. 

Anyway, i soon forgot all about the label when i tasted the beer.

First thing i noticed was a nose which is similar to the best parts of a lot of Spanish lagers. Nice and dry with astringent fruit. Then the taste... very, very good! It is a real golden ale. Creamy with a pure, fine bead which heads up just the right amount.

I got a big surprise when i read on the bottle that the alc content is 8.5%. I cannot believe how well they hide the warm rich alcohol taste which so often ruins a good beer (deliriem tremmins is a point in case).

There is plenty of spice and hop flavour, and the right balance of fruit and acid. The finish is still somehow crispish and fresh which is quite an achievement when you have 8.5%.

The yeast is imported from Belgium which is no surprise when considering the taste.

Never had a chance to get this one in the Riedel beer glass, it should go in a chalice like the Duvel or Chimay glasses.

Another great beer. I guess i will have to review a bad beer eventually..... perhaps i will go and poor myself a Pure Blonde...

Dan 

Eisenbahn Wiesenbock

8% alc/vol

Brazil

$6 per bottle

I have only tried 6 beers from the range and I believe there are about 10 more to try, as well as a beer likor (fortified beer)

Eisenbahn is a small brewery in Brazil that follows the Reinheirsgebot (a german law of brewing created in 1516 stating the only ingredients that could be used in the production of beer were water, barley and hops) 

The name (which means railroad in German) refers to an old railway station that is close to the building now used by the brewery as a bar.

Anyway, that's enough history. The beer is a cracker, you'd never know it was 8% alcohol. It has caramel, malt, and chocolate on the nose, and a very rich round fruit cake palate. I don't suspect you'd be able to have too many of these in one night but what a fantastic beer. I urge you all to seek these beers out and give them a go.

On another note, the importer for Eisenbahn is the same company that brings in Meantime. Definitely switched on, I look forward to seeing what they get their hands on next.

Peroni Nastro Azzurro

abv - 5.1% alc/vol

Italy

6pk - $19

There is nothing quite like a beer after you've been mowing the lawn and I think this is a perfect daytime brew, not too complicated - just right to throw down on a hot sunny day. 

A light golden colour with a clean nose - just like a good lager should have(a good lager should not smell like the first home brew you made when you were a 16 year old master brewer!)

This has a slight grassy palate too, almost a sweet edge to it, which I think means you can enjoy this on it's own or pair it with a bit of antipasto (and grilled seafood - as my trusty beer helper is telling me ti write) as I did.

I think another thing I need to mention is the lack of change to the label over the last 8 years or so. All too often I see Aussie beers changing their label to look like other beers or to get their market's attention, Peroni however, hasn't changed! A classic label I think you would recognise, even if you'd been in a coma for the past 5 years.

Also a little bit of insider knowledge - As of next February Peroni will be imported in kegs, so keep an eye out if you're favourite watering hole puts this on tap.

Organic Ale

Made by Barossa Valley Brewing, this is a tricky one... First of all i don't like the idea of using the words organic in the title of the beer. 'Organic' is very fashionable (it is also a great way to make anything from the earth, however i think it should be a little more subtle). Anyway, cynicism aside...

This is a rich, light amber beer. Beautiful texture and a fine, creamy head. Its full of fruit, apricot and hints of pineapple but they are soft and you still get the sense that this is a strong, tough beer. The sweet fruit hits the pallet straight of the bat and sends a rush of flavour. Its bitter with a hint of sour acid (this is a good thing).

The amber richness is very pilsner like, in fact its not unlike the James Squaire Pilsner but with out the finish.

 This is where it comes apart a bit. The full flavour in the middle of my mouth does not have the length that i think a beer with this sort of intense flavour should have, it just doesn't have quite enough length for me. This is a small criticism, overall a really good beer. You could probably only manage a couple (good that they come in a 4 pack) of these in one session but its another great Australian beer... I'm so proud!

Dan