Meantime Union

alc - 4.9% abv

origin - Greenwich, London

cost - $5 approx

Now I am a big fan of meantime and those crazy lads know how to brew a beer. I have to say the label is a shocker, it puts customers off buying it so much that I had to buy the last two bottles of this beer even though I think it's really really good.

The label says it is a unique fusion of lager and dark beer, on the nose I get lots of roasted coffee, malty notes that suggest dark beer. Good. But where is the lager part...on the palate it has very light choco-coffee notes, but absolutely no lager-esque qualities.

The more I taste this the more I really like it, it could be the cooler weather of late that is swaying me but it's really enjoyable. I haven't seen this balance of maltiness and drinkability in an Aussie dark beer, I guess now it's cooling down, winter may have to be a time to drink more so I can support more Australian brewers. 

And yet again....well done Meantime!!

Graham

I agree with Graham. Its a funny beer. The lack of bitterness and 'full on' blackness of this beer left me a bit confused at first, but by the time i finished the bottle it had really grown on me. It would be great for winter...... if Graham had not bought the last of it, i could have one!

The boys (and possibly girls) at Meantime keep giving. I just tried their 'London Pale Ale' which i will blog in a couple of days.

Dan

Grolsch

Grolsch is everywhere at the moment. I got a case for $38 from one of those generic, whatever, boring bottle shops we are so blessed to have on every street corner in Brisbane... 

The packaging has changed a bit and i thought to my self ' i wonder if those clever people at Fosters are brewing it under licence in Australia?' They have ruined so many other beers why stop now. Thankfully these are fully imported and cheep!

The first sip reminded me of a Peroni. Fresh and crisp, a really refreshing style beer which can quench a thirst (i could drink about 30 of these). But its got a bit more rounded flavour. It reminds me of what Stella used to taste like before Fosters screwed it up (did i just make another dig at Fosters??).

There is a bit of citrus and the hop flavour is very soft with a wonderful dry finish. This really is a good easy drinking beer.

Hitting the spot right now.

Cheers

Dan

Paulaner Original Munchner Hell

alc - 4.9%

origin - Germany

price - $3.20 single/ $19 6pk

Thought I'd better review a German beer seeing as we have quite a few in the shop.

A classic golden orange colour, with not much of a head, but I'm probably not drinking this out of the right glass so I'll ignore that for now.

Clean fruit driven flavours are abundant on the nose, primarily a bit of peach and a distinct hay smell.

Very clean palate with more hay and a steely edge with slight hoppy bitterness on the finish.

A little bit simple for my liking, but still a very good lager that would do the trick on a hot sunny day.

Graham

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.

Knappstein

Sorry about this picture. The quality of the picture is a testimony to the taste of the beer.

I think this beer really suits me. Its dry. Its rich in caramel bitterness, but there is a driving, slightly sour acidity. Its fresh and crisp but heavy and thick with a stewy fruit thing going on. I think it does what so many beers want to do but can't. It has the lot!

Some people love this beer (most) but others do not. 

I have just come from the winestar.com.au site and found the quote 'goopy, sweet and dull'. I don't know what 'goopy' means but i can understand what is being said, its a big thick beer and it is a bit sweet.

A few comments on the ratebeer.com site suggest 'hopsy' and 'floral' where the key adjectives. Both good things to have in beer although i think 'floral' should be reserved for things that smell like flowers. 

The sweetness, which arrives by way of caramel on the nose, is great. It's not too over the top (like Pepper Jack) and there is a really good long finish which is bitter and sour, like it should be. I think they got the balance just right.

Not so good in the Riedel beer glass, i am not sure what a good glass would be for this drink.... 

At the end of the day this is a very frigging good beer. 

It's almost too good.

Dan