# 81 - Schofferhofer Hefeweizen

Beer 81 - Schofferhofer Hefeweizen.

Pours pale and cloudy with a colour verging on orange. It has a rediculously fluffy white head (in a good way) that last as long as the beer itself. This is unquestionably the fruitiest wheat beer I've stumbled across so far. The aroma is of fresh apples and pears. While it is a standard full strength 5%, it is surprisingly light and fresh on the palate. It does still produce a mild bitter hop finish - subtle though evident.

Perhaps most interesting, the ex-pat German I spoke of yesterday described his favourite beer as what I felt I was experiencing in drinking this one......tried this brew Jurgen??

My rating.......5

Thought for the day........Sometimes we take out our frustrations on the wrong people! Note to self - "Think....think....think....re-assess....speak.....maybe think again first?"

Ahhhh - the joys of being human!!!

# 80 - Weihenstephaner Dunkel

Beer 80 - Weihenstephaner Traditional Bayrisch Dunkel.
Had the pleasure of drinking this one in the company of an ex-pat German. He gave me the translation off the label on the back of the stubby. So you could say it doubled as a history lesson too! From the north of Germany, and conveniently a University town, the Weihenstephan Abbey lays claims to being the oldest continuously operating brewery in the world. Be hard to argue, with its license officially granted back in 1040 AD.
A dark Bavarian beer as expected. It was very easy drinking, with the roast malts obvious - but not overbearing. Typical of its style, the bitterness is understated but balanced nicely. Perhaps this is one of the better Dunkel's I've tried......or maybe I really like this style?
My rating......5

Thought for the Day....Got to hand it to the Germans - they love structure, control and perfection. Perhaps one of their best outcomes has been the Beer Purity Laws that have set the benchmark globally for breweries.....for hundreds of years now!!

# 79 - YOUNGS Special London Ale

Beer 79 - Youngs Special London Ale.
A real fruity/floral aroma. Pours a deep copper hue. Minimal head although it has nice retention and lacing. Offers a full malt flavour with a very mild hop finish. Poured this one from a 500ml bottle at 6.4%.  I wouldn't have picked it but am starting to feel it as I near the end of the glass. Love it. 
My rating.......5

# 78 - Stone & Wood Pacific Ale

Beer 78 - Stone & Wood Pacific Ale.

This brew is from Byron Bay. Pours slightly cloudy and very pale, almost straw perhaps. Nice layer of sediment in the bottom of stubby. Lot of carbonation going on with a 3 finger head. Bold fruity aroma and flavour. My research tells me it has a mix of barley and wheat malts and galaxy hops. Crisp and refreshing with a mild bitter finish.
My rating......4

# 77 - Timmerans Lambic Kriek

Beer 77 - Timmerans Lambic Kriek.

My first lambic. Fascinating really. Immediately dominated by an aroma, and followed closely by the flavour of cherry. Great head retention and lacing. It's got to artificially sweetened. Easy enough to drink if you've got a sweet tooth. But as beers go it doesn't quite hit the spot.

My rating......3

# 76 - Gage Roads Sleeping Giant IPA

Beer 76 - Gage Roads Sleeping Giant IPA.

Pours a deep copper colour. This one is mildly carbonated but with nice head retention. It does have some of the fruity aspects of a pale ale, combined with a lightly roasted taste of crystal malt. I'd probably like a bit more bitterness, to be up with my favourite IPA's. I do think it's the best of the Gage Roads range I've tried just the same.

My rating......4

# 75 - BREW DOG There Is No Santa

Beer 75 - BREW DOG There Is No Santa
But there is a GOD!! Just what I needed to follow up that CLEANSKIN!! A bold spicey aroma that falls somewhere between Christmas Pudding and a Gingerbread House. It pours a very dark ale, although the flavour is more spicey than  that of roast malts. It has a mild hop finish with the bitterness somewhat subdued.
Unfortunately only a festive season promo - but again worth buying for the witty Brew Dog label!! Would be a worthy addition to any Christmas gathering....anywhere in the World!
My rating......4

Thought for the Day......Why not a 5?? I couldn't do it - with my little boy still working on his list for Santa!! It was certainly close! I will be picking up another couple of stubbys for the big day.

# 74 - Premium Cleanskin Beer

Beer 74 - Premium CLEANSKIN Beer

This one is a Korean beer. It has simplistic labelling, and pours a fizzy white head that lasts less time than a coke. I would liken this to some of my 8 year old home brews - in both aroma and flavour! I must admit - I've been know at times to drink them simply for the effect of their alcohol (because they're free!).

I remember this being pretty cheap when I picked it up....$2.20. Not so cheap after all because I poured the remainder in the second picture down the sink!! I think they must have sunk their money into the glass - because the stubby is probably the heaviest I've come across.
My rating.....-1

Thought for the Day........There must be some kind of legal criteria to label a beer "PREMIUM". If so, can we get the International Police to take the required action!!

Maybe it's time to put on an Intern - I always hated seeing alcohol of any kind go to waste. Perhaps they could clean up the dregs that are sink bound!!

# 73 - The Orkney Brewery SKULL SPLITTER.

Beer 73 - The Orkney Brewery SKULL SPLITTER.
Hand crafted in small batches and is labelled a 'strong ale' - I wonder why at only 8.5%?!? Pours a rich copper, with a moderate head - that has great retention and equally good lacing. The aroma is quite sweet, as the label states, of dates and figs. It definitely has a molassas sweetness to the taste, with some toffee malt notes. Also surprisingly easy drinking, with the alcohol content not at all overbearing. I'm thinking it's the best of any high content beers I've yet sampled. Although is probably aptly named as I'd imaging the head may feel that way the morning after a full session on the SKULL SPLITTER!!
My rating.......5

# 72 - Blue Sky FNQ Lager

Beer 72....Blue Sky FNQ Lager
Interesting - I actually reviewed this beer twice - about 6 months apart. Without referring back to my notes here are the 2 actual reviews!

Blue Sky FNQ Lager. Disappointing. Like a sub-standard homebrew. Bland and forgettable. Easy to enjoy at 30c a stubby. But $3. i don't think so!
My rating.....2

FNQ Lager. Like one of my best home-brews. Very crisp with strong carbonation. Similar to a Euro or maybe even Pilsener. Really good balance of malt and hops. Love it !!!
My rating......5

Thought for the Day.......Needless to say, based on the above 2 reviews - I picked up another stubby today to settle my internal dispute!

# 71 - Gosser

Beer 71 - Gosser.

The first beer I've tried from Austria. It probably falls somewhere between a Euro lager and a Pilsener. Very pale straw and crisp. Malt flavour dominates with a light bitter finish.

My rating......4

# 70 - Hahn White

Beer 70 - Hahn White.
A Belgian style white beer, so the label says? I must admit I got my hopes up when the immediate aroma was absolutely unique. I couldn't quite place it - but it was dominantly of spicy/herb notes - maybe raisins. Really nothing like anything from Belgium I've come across. Little head with no retention, and quite Radler like in its properties. There seems to be no malt presence in the body or mouthfeel. The hop finish is decidedly non existent.
Can I describe a beer as ugly, in this modern era of political correctness? The more I drink the less I like.....sorry Hahn! The only good thing about this experience was enjoying pizza with the family!!
My rating.......0

# 69 - Monteith's Original Ale

Beer 69....Monteith's Original Ale

I love the simplicity of this beer. Probably getting back to the roots of the early beers. Back in the 1700's the standard beer was much darker than we've come to expect today. Everything seems understated - and I love that. It does have a sweet fruity aroma I couldn't quite place. Thanks to their website I'm happy to inform it displays a hint of blackberries. Can't disagree!

My rating......5

Thought For the Day.......Poor Kiwis - 6/60 before lunch in Hobart! Credit where it's due - they are making some AWSOME beers!! Monteith's is fast becoming one of my favourite labels.

# 68 - Burleigh Brewing Duke All Malt Helles

Burleigh Brewing Duke All Malt Helles.

Probably a little too lightly carbonated with poor head retention and large bubbles. Pale in colour and light bodied. It is a mid strength and it shows in the taste. Although easy drinking with the emphasis on malt rather than hops.

I do expect this one is better consumed straight from the stubby.

My rating......3

# 67 - Endeavor 2010 Reserve Pale Ale

Endeavor 2010 reserve Pale Ale.

Nice drop. Bottle conditioned with a nice layer of sediment in the stubby. Pours cloudy with a very fruity aroma and flavour. It certainly has a solid bitter hops finish.

My rating.....5

# 66 - Burleigh Brewing Co. HEF

Beer 66 - Burleigh Brewing Co. HEF

German style wheat beer. Pale in colour and pours slightly cloudy. The aroma is dominantly of banana. Very mellow flavour with even milder bitterness. It is very refreshing just the same and equally drinkable.

My rating.......4

# 65 - LITTLE CREATURES ROGERS

Beer 65 - Little Creatures Rogers.

I had been looking for this one for a while - found it in Dan Murphy's Toowoomba, on the way to my cousin's little girl's christening. Thanks for the invite Leon!! And good call Scotty - I did drink this one back at Easter time!

Similar flavour to what I recall of the Little Creatures Bright Ale. Although pours a very deep amber. Quite fruity with only a slight hint of a darker malt. It is little more than a mid-strength at 3.8%. But thankfully still full flavoured.

My rating.....4

Thought for the Day......I think the line between DRINK DRIVING and DRUNK DRIVING are becoming more severely blurred by the day. You can't help but feel for families impacted by fatal car accidents - but don't shoot the messanger. Common sense and paying full attention to other traffic really only dissapears when DRUNK, and is not caused from 'drinking'!!

# 64 - Shepherd Neame BISHOPS FINGER Kentish Strong Ale

Beer 64 - Shepherd Neame Bishops Finger Kentish Strong Ale.

Britain's oldest brewer so the stubby says! Pours a deep copper with a beautiful creamy head that lasts. Really good aroma and flavour of roast malt. The hop presence is obvious but not overpowering. 500ml at 5.4%. Beautiful!
The label probably jumped out at me a couple of months back, too - at a time when I was dealing with a most frustration and trivial dispute with my beloved Beaudesert Golf Club. It struck a chord, as I felt like giving their management committee the finger.....but of course I didn't! I actually haven't played a comp for 8 weeks, but will be making a comeback next Sunday - defending the coveted "SUPER SHOOTOUT" that I was lucky enough to win last year!!

My rating.....5

Thought for the Day.....here's a notice I was going to post at the Golf Clubhouse. Never did for fear of more serious consequences. So what the heck, I'll post it here instead.

BREAKING NEWS.......

In what is believed to be a serious coup at the Beaudesert Golf Club - the FUN POLICE have busted an illicit action in which an irritating little prankster was at risk of putting a smile on the faces of Ordinary Members!

Fortunately an intercept was made and security footage assured this outbreak would be confined to the instigator.

The FUN POLICE are proud to announce that through a swift and decisive undercover operation, the spread of this cancer has been halted!

They would particularly like to thank the Committee of 2006/2007 who had the vision to implement in house Security Cameras. "We are now reaping the rewards of their foresight - and able to correctly identify and convict repeat offenders, making this great club the dour golfing experience it was always intended to be".

Be warned - the FUN POLICE will not hesitate to create new laws when required, with new super powers, bestowed upon them by their superiors. Rest assured, they will remain vigilant in their ongoing war against humour. "We will jump on anyone who in future attempts to enjoy life too much - as they represent one of the greatest threats known to mankind today".

May a good sense of humour R.I.P.

# 63 - EFES Pilsener

Beer 63 - Efes Pilsener

Spent a great day in a West End park on the Brisbane River, catching up with the rellies - celebrating my cousins' engagement....Congrats Lisa & Lance!!

This beer was a good choice, as it instantly engaged some of my more travelled cousins in speculating on its origin. Greece and Turkey were the immediate suggestions. Nice work....it's from Istanbul, Turkey.

Really smooth Pilsener style beer. Big malt flavour, pale gold hue. Poured a tremendous 3 finger head, with good retention and lacing. It does have a nice mild hops finish. Had never seen this one before, but would be more than happy to drink it again!

My rating......4

Thought for the day......As you get a little older and hopefully wiser, you appreciate close family get-togethers. Busy lives prevent them from happening often enough!

# 62 - SOUTH SEAS BREWING - BEACH

Beer 62 - South Seas Brewing BEACH.....new local

I'd never seen this one before - nice way to start our week down at Coolangatta! This one is a low carb lager but still full strength and flavour. One of the best of its style. Pale gold, crisp and clear. It has a really likable bitter hops finish.

My rating.....4

Thought for the Day.....With so much catching up to do, I won't often be posting thoughts. My 'save the world' mentality probably brought me unstuck, as I found it quite draining to come up with an original thought on a daily basis!

 

Nothing like free enterprise! Dairy farming = community service!

I guess a lot has happened since my past post! Am still sampling beer and will be catching up on those posts soon....honestly!
I realize that the last post regarding milk pricing was slightly off the mark. The only way to support your local dairy farmer is to buy branded milk!
There has been a lot of negative speculation leading up to the future structure of our milk payment system in Queensland. Sadly I am recently hearing that the speculation will become reality at our upcoming supplier meetings. These price cuts will take effect as of January 2013.
The saddest reality of all is that our very own processor Parmalat (Pauls) will vindicate the ridiculous pricing of milk according to Coles. Rather than making it clear that $1/litre is not sustainable, and forcing that price up, they have chosen to take the soft option. Instead of putting upward pressure on the multi-nationals, they will maintain their margin by further hammering the lowest rung on the ladder....dairy farmers! Ok it is 2.30 in the morning and I can't sleep....I'll review this tomorrow and make adjustments where necessary

Day 61 - PIKE'S PILSENER OAKBANK BEER

Beer 61 - Pike's Pilsener Oakbank Beer.....first time

Really interesting combination. On the opening of the bottle the initial dissapointment was due to an aroma of a very standard local lager. Strange though, while pouring into the glass the scent had transformed into that of a fruity pale ale? Which is by the way, quite a bit what it tasted like.....I'm confused - this is labelled as a 'pilsener'??

I do think they's missed the target - but came up with a very enjoyable brew none the less! Pale in colour with fruity overtones as I said earlier. It is clear, crisp and refreshing - giving way to a nice bitter finish which is pilsener-like. I don't think that's enough to qualify it as such.

My rating....4

Thought for the Day......I've got to admit, I am unearthing some super impressive beers I would never have come across in this lifetime - but for my beer challenge!

Day 60 - GROLSCH Premium Lager

Beer 60 - Grolsch Premium Lager.....had my first one in Sep-10

This was my first one since starting the challenge (first time in a glass). Enjoyed it more than I realised! Pours a golden hue with tremendous creamy head. Full malt flavour - more than I had previously recalled. Solid but not overbearing bitterness. They label this on a 'lager'....to me a little more like some of the pilseners I've sampled. My favourite Dutch brew so far. Love it! 

My rating.....5!

Thought for the Day.....Interesting that we love the sweet taste of fructose so much that the general population are oblivious to it's damaging and long lasting effect on our health. We've got our family back on track. FRUCTOSE = POISON!!!!

Check out David Gillespie's "Sweet Poison"

Day 59 - Malt Shovel ABBEY ALE

Beer 59 - Abbey Ale.....first time

Really impressive local in the style of a Belgian Ale. Pours a rich orange/golden colour with a thick creamy head. Surprised when checking the label at the 7% content, as the alcohol was not overbearing on the palate.

Very lively aroma with a flavour and mouthfeel I would compare to Leffe Blonde. Left a solid impression of a wheat beer - but I don't think wheat malt is amongst the ingredients. The colour was surprisingly deep and didn't seem to match it's flavour? Liked it just the same.

My rating....4

Thought for the Day.....You make your own luck - to a point. Beyond that you need to make the most of what is.....what it is!

Day 58 - TRUMER PILS

Beer 58 - Trumer Pils.....first time

Ok, I do love beer! But I'm finding that above all.....pilsener is my thing. Just love the full malt flavour - balanced with a hops bitterness.

In this case the malt is evident in both aroma and flavour, although it pours a very pale straw colour. Nicely carbonated, it's light and crisp to drink. Surprisingly mild bitterness that really doesn't linger, compared to many other pilseners. But boy is it smooth to drink!

My rating.....5

Thought for the Day.....Amazing how sometimes the simple things in life pick you up when you're feeling wiped out.

The kids helped mix a batch of homebrew non-al lemonade from a great recipe I found on the net (with real lemons!). We'll know what it's like in a couple of weeks!

Take 2 - BIGHEAD

Beer 46 - Bighead......second one

I like to do some market research with new beers - checking feedback and testimonials from other connoisseurs, info on the brewer's website.

Now the Burleigh Brewery are putting out some really solid products, and I thought I may have been harsh on this one?

Second time around (from the stubby) and I'm wondering if my initial rating of 2 might have been generous - am I drinking the same beer as the testimonials on the BB's website?

Trend or not with the carb issue, Bighead is simply devoid of flavour!

Day 57 - RAZORBACK RED ALE

Beer 57 - Razorback Red Ale....first time

Another interesting local product - the Snowy Mountain Brewery. Pours a thick creamy head, rich copper in colour. The aroma and flavour incorporate the roasted malts perfectly, while the hops offer a very mellow bitterness. It does unfortunately have a hint of a metallic aftertaste that I found hard to place.

My rating......4

Thought for the Day.....Went snorkeling with our 12yo this morning - she had a ball!

Day 56 - DUKE Premium Lager

Beer 56 - Duke Premium Lager....first time

Much in the tradition of European lagers. Brilliant clear golden colour - crisp and refreshing. No standout features, but it is one of the more enjoyable local lagers I've sampled recently.

Only brewed an hour from home - could be doing a tour of the Burleigh Brewery real soon!

My rating....4

Thought for the Day....Looking forward to getting back on top of things!

Dairy....

Ok...dragged you in. Not about dairying at all. More about blogging.

Fascinated....blogging....Almost like a modern day version of what Oprah used to promote. To Journal. Only you are able to reach other people with your ideas and feelings.

Journalling is a way of releasing - blogging is a way of sharing / reaching / helping / being helped.

Coming off depression (diagnosed with clinical depression in December '09) I felt as though the past year has been an incredible achievement in both my personal and professional developement. I undertook and personally facillitated the biggest project our family farm has seen in its existance since 1933. While at the same time successfully rebuilding my bond with Trish and the kids. Perhaps a little too ambitious.

.......the end result is an operational Robotic Dairy. The cost is hopefully only short term - my health. It's taken quite a battering. A few too many shifts in excess of 24 hours - a few too many weeks in excess of 80 hours. I truly felt as though I was coping particularly well, until a couple of weeks ago.

Maybe it was a culmination of events beyond my control...natural disasters, family problems (in-laws, not my own) and the uncertainty surrounding the very industry that keeps our farm afloat....Dairying.

Just like something out of an old Batman episode....KAAA POWWW!!!! And it didn't miss me either - about a week ago. Felt like de ja vu - rewind to December '09.

But I'm ok. Pretty quick to recognise the symptoms. Had a very lazy week and am coming back to my usual self.... I hope! Maybe I was already running on empty - but I hope all the other dairy farmers are ok after Coles genious marketing strategy was released. In fact I really hope that many of them leave the industry if unsatisfied (as we did in 2003) and reward the multi-nationals with what they deserve....a huge supply shortage!

Day 55 - James Squire SUNDOWN LAGER

Beer 55 - James Squire Sundown Lager......first time

Very crisp and clear. A hint of citrus as the label suggests. A little short on personality, but most enjoyable just the same! This would make a great session beer.

My rating.....4

Thought for the Day.....Some people hate the 'bottling' process of homebrew. To me it's like therapy. Maybe I need therapy?

Day 54 - MURRAYS NIRVANA Pale Ale

Beer 54 - Murrays Nirvana Pale Ale.....first time.

I must admit, I was very dissapointed when I learned of Murray's relocation from the Coffs area to Newcastle - was going to call in on our January holiday. But at least I found this one at Dan Murphy's in Toowoomba.

Very fruity and hoppy. Sparkling golden colour. I might be coming around to these pale ales.

My rating....4

Thought for the Day.....Floods.....Cyclones.....Earthquakes.....we still live in the greatest part of the world - it just doesn't feel like it all the time!
All my deepest sympathies to those in Christchurch dealing with loss of loved ones. May the memories of their presence be forever with you.

Day 53 - HOEGAARDEN ORIGINAL

Beer 53 - Hoegaarden Original.....first time

It's a wheat beer, pours very pale. Very unique - spicy, fruity aroma. Very smooth. Typical wheat beer flavour. I can understand that some may love this one - not for me. 

My rating.....2

Thought for the Day.....Working on that addition to the 'dairy' blog. Thoughts will soon hit the keyboard.

Day 52 - TOOHEYS EXTRA DRY PLATINUM

Beer 52 - Tooheys Extra Dry Platinum.....first time

Attempt at an extra strength beer - by modern day standards anyway. Overbearing taste of alcohol. Smells 'green'.

My rating....1

Thought for the Day.....Maybe sometimes it's fun to get drunk quick - but it's still nice to enjoy what you're drinking in the process. Perhaps I'm just getting old!!

Day 51 - BITBURGER Premium Beer

Beer 51 - Bitburger Premium Beer....first one last year

Real crisp and refreshing. Had always drank from a stubby before this one. Pours slightly cloudy - very pale with some yeast residue in the bottle.

Malty flavour and perhaps a little lightly hopped....but I do love to drink this one!

My rating....5

Thought for the Day.....Sometimes the things you enjoy most in life just are. You can't easily put a finger on what makes it so.

Day 50 - HAHN PREMIUM LIGHT

Beer 50 - Hahn Premium Light

Ok....was doing a wedding a little earlier tonight. Have generally discounted this beer in the past due to it's lack of flavour - I have a newfound interest in it. A great beer to drink at gigs.....only 0.8 drinks per stubby.....meaning I can drive home without worrying about being pulled over!

It's also a very healthy alternative to softdrinks (0 grams of sugar vs. 50 + grams per drink!). Although bland - refreshing and easy to drink.

My rating....3

Thought for the Day.....Alcohol really is a great social lubricant. I don't think I 'd get too many takers for the dance floor at weddings beyond the Bridal Waltz without it!!

Day 49 - GAGE ROADS Premium Lager

Beer 49 - Gage Roads Premium Lager.....first time

Reasonable fruity flavour and moderate bitterness from the Hallertau hops. But sorry. This was the flattest beer I've ever poured!

My rating....2 (benefit of the doubt - will retry at a later date)

Thought for the Day.....Life is good!

Day 48 - KILKENNY

Beer 48 - Kilkenny....first time

Though it pours a thick creamy head (because it's be nitrogenated) it is quite poorly carbonated. Much in the style you'd expect of a traditional ale, although dark in colour through the use of roasted malts. Yeasty with hints of stale bread. It is quite lightly hopped.

My rating.....3

Thought for the Day....Often expectation exceeds reality - but that's ok. That's part of life!

Day 47 - BLUETONGUE Premium Lager

Beer 47 - Bluetongue Premium Lager.....first time

Another brewery with a story. Great to have a story - even better to back it up! Another typical forgettable Aussie lager.

My rating....2

Thought for the Day.....Don't live on past glory's. You're only as good as your current actions.

Day 46 - BIGHEAD

Beer 46 - Bighead.....first time

Australia's first 'no carb' beer. Apparently important to some? Sorry. Just another boring drinkable brew.

My rating.....2

Thought for the Day.....Did you know that carbs don't make us fat? It's the fructose component in sugar that the body can't process.....and no beer contains fructose!

Day 45 - MONTEITH'S PILSNER

Beer 45 - Monteith's Pilsner.....first time.

Nice little euro style Kiwi brew. Pours a typical golden colour, with aroma of hops and yeast. Quite a malty sweetness in this brew. Maybe a tad light on bitterness for a true pilsener. Very drinkable just the same.

My rating.....4

Thought for the Day.....Ever feel like you're going flat out, but the wheels are just spinning? Keep going. Probably making more progress than you realise!

Day 44 - RESCHS Original Pilsener

Beer 44 - Reschs Original Pilsener.....first time.

Interesting history. Everything else about this beer is pretty forgettable. Is this a Pilsener.....really? And they up Queenslanders about XXXX !!

My rating.....1

Day 43 - MOUNTAIN GOAT Hightail Ale

Beer 43 - Mountain Goat Hightail Ale.....first time.

Not sure if this one is meant to be consumed from the stubby, but as my photo shows - there's some crazy carbonation going on! I tried a second pour in another glass....with the same result.

As the bottle says, burnt amber in colour, that dark malt comes through loud and clear in the flavour also. Nicely hopped with a mild bitterness. I will be drinking again soon - YUM!

My rating....5

Yes, I did finish up drinking this one from the stubby.

Thought for the Day.....We just did a 5 hour round trip for lunch at my cousin's place for they're first born's christening. Worth every minute of travel time. Can never seem to spend enough time catching up with extended family!

Day 42 - Cascade FIRST HARVEST

Beer 42 - Cascade First Harvest.....first time

Been looking out for this one for a while. Definitely lived up to expectation.

A rich copper colour. Has good lacing and head retention - right through to the last mouthful. Has a floral aroma and is extremely hoppy. Has a very bitter lingering aftertaste, which I really like!

My rating....5

Thought for the Day....Sometimes you don't realise how much you miss the little things in life - until your memory is refreshed.

I just put down my fist batch in a few years - Morgans Pilsner. When that airlock started bubbling I thought..."Ahhh, I do love making beer!". Very therapeutic!

Day 41 - OETTINGER BIER

Beer 41 - Oettinger Bier....first time.

This very cheap German import is not nasty at all! It's a typical pilsener - pale in colour with a hoppy bitterness, although not overpowering. Still made to German purity laws. Really quite impressive.

My rating....4

Thought for the Day.....Just did a great gig tonight - for my daughter's swim club at the pool. If only more kids had the opportunity today to socialise and play sport. They had an absolute ball....and so did I!

Day 40 - XXXX Summer Bright Lager

Beer 40 - XXXX Summer Bright Lager

Yes - yet another low carb brew, of course in response to market demand. Easy to drink, although quite bland. Literally.....more of the same.

My rating.....3

Thought for the Day.....It's hard to fight market forces - even when they compromise integrity.

Day 39 - Matilda Bay BOHEMIAN PILSNER

Beer 39 - Matilda Bay Bohemian Pilsner....first time.

I must admit, I was a little aprehensive about this one after a couple of big dissapointments (eg Big Helga). Faith restored!

They didn't get carried away creatively with this one thankfully. Real good full bodied beer. Crisp with a bitter finish - in the style of a true European pilsner.

My rating....4

Thought for the Day....Ahhh...beer that tastes just like the label suggests - that's better!!

Day 38 - Matilda Bay BIG HELGA

Beer 38 - Matilda Bay Big Helga....first time.

Don't know if I got a bad one? Aroma of rotten fruit. Tastes like cheap wine. Stated on the label to be in the style of a Munich Lager? I didn't think it even resembled beer - let alone lager!

My rating.....0

Thought for the Day.....Sometimes creativity can be misleading. Be sure to learn the lessons from trial and error!!

Day 37 - Tooheys EXTRA DRY

Beer 37 - Tooheys Extra Dry....first time - I know!

Really like this one - crisp and malty. Not very bitter, but very drinkable. One of the better mainstream beers on the market.

My rating.....4

Thought for the Day.....C'mon Aussies - Bring on the World Cup!

Day 36 - LOWENBRAU Original

Beer 36 - Lowenbrau Original....first time

Has been served every Oktoberfest since 1810...impressive! Real malty flovoured brew - similar to what I experienced in Williams Pale Ale. Mild bitterness and very easy to drink. This one's right up there.

My rating......5

Thought for the Day.....Sorry - nothing profound. But I broke 80 for only the second time in my life - 79 hits with 28 putts. OH YEAH!!

Day 35 - Carlton Dry FUSION

Beer 35 - Carlton Dry Fusion.....first time.

I must start by saying - I really like the bottle. Beautiful use of all my favourite shades of green (which happens to be my fave colour) with the addition of some quality artwork.

Oh...the beer you ask? If that's what you call this anemic concoction with an overbearing pinch of salt. I was cringing with each sip - as you do when you come up swallowing, having just been dumped by a big wave at the beach.

Did I say I liked the bottle - one of my favourites so far....but the contents?

My rating.....0

Thought for the Day......Sometimes the intention behind a thought is sound - but the results achieved are below expectation.

Day 34 - DOS EQUIS XX Special Lager

Beer 34 - Dos Equis XX Special Lager....first time.

Imported from Mexico. Just another lager, really. Not very memorable - definitely not 'special'.

My rating.....2