Cascade beers have suffered a bit of a hit lately. The Tasmanian brewery, founded in 1824 and claiming to be the oldest in Australia (James Squire started the Malt Shovel Tavern in 1806), started serving up the popular Cascade Premium in a smaller bottle at the same price. In a win for the people, who do notice these things, Cascade lost a huge amount of the market share in premium Australian beers and were forced to 'upsize' the beer back to its original 375ml (from 330). Frankly i think its to late. Its good beer but no body lakes it when you take the piss....However i am supposed to be talking about the First Harvest, which i think is a great beer!
This is a seasonal beer with a limited release every year. In the past, i have not been a big fan, it has been far too over the top with 'green hop' flavour but this year it is more subtle. Hop flavour in beer is a wonderful thing, in this case it delivers a delicate balance between floral and sour acid. Its not punchy but it has enough. Nice dry finish, astringent bitterness and low carbon place it somewhere between a light pilsener and an American style pale ale.
Very successful year for the First Harvest, cant say the same for the Premium.
Dan
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