Barons Lager

Country - Australia

Percentage - 4.9%

Brewing company - Barons Brewing

Our first beer review was created in the back of a car - "A roadie" and as result is quite simple.
The beer was not poured to prevent possible spillage and we did not take much notice of any nose. The beer improved in taste over the coarse of the trip and slowly grew on you. First thoughts was that we wouldn't want another but by the end of the trip this left us begging for more! This beer has since been retired so as for further tastings it is not possible.

Verdict - OK 

Hofbrau Hefe Weizen

Country - Munich, Germany

Percentage - 5.4%

Brewing company - StaatlichesHoffbrauhaus

This beer is sold at the Hofbrau Festzelt - the largest beer tent of the Oktoberfest in Munich. During Oktoberfest 2004 (16 days) there was a total consumption of 500,000 Liters of beer.The beer has a good reputation and is enjoyed by many beer enthusiast throughout the world.
When poured this is a hazy light gold colour beer that holds a decent head providing very little aroma.  The taste is almost null and void and the after taste is an absolutely long sustaining terrible experience. Maca describes this as similar to drinking grey water, a fucking waste of our time! Perhap's this is a bad batch but if not what is the Brewer thinking? This is so bad that the Bondi Blonde looks enticing We just want this experience to be over. kill us now make it stop!

Verdict - Terrible

Steinlager Pure

Country - New Zealand

Percentage - 5.0%

Brewing Company - New zealand Breweries Ltd

What initially drew us to this beer was the word "Pure"and that the beer states it is completely pure with no additives or preservatives. In comparison to the Steinlager Classic this beer when poured reamins a clear gold colour beer but has a added golden hue with a more pronounced aroma of sweet barley. Again this beer has a distinguishing taste similar to the Steinlager Classic that is exceptionally clean and crisp with a lingering barley and hops flavour. With an added 0.3% ABV this is a very enjoyable beer to have on any occasion and is a fractional improvement on the Steinlager Classic .

Verdict - Exceptional

Steinlager Classic

Country - New Zealand

Percentage - 4.8%

Brewing Company - New Zealand Breweries Ltd

This beer was first brewed a as challenge to New Zealand lading brewers to come up with an International Lager style beer. This beer went onto win Les Amis Du Vin Competition four years in a row in the late 70s and was politely asked to stop entering to give the other brewers a chance. In 1985 Steinlager was judged " The Worlds Best Lager" by the Brewers International Competition held in London.
When poured this beer is a light golden colour beer with a white head and carbonation providing hints of apple and citrus on the nose. On tasting the beer has a distinctive taste of sweet earthy hop flavour and light malt characters delivering a clean and crisp bitterness. One of the strongest macro lagers on the market with many quaffable properties!

Verdict - Excellent

Furstenburg Premium Lager

Country - Germany

Percentage - 5.3%

Brewing Company - Furstlich Furstenbergische Brauerie KG

When poured this is a light golden colour beer with a two finger head providing an aroma of hops and malt. On tasting the barley malt flavour and hops make this a refreshing and slightly bitter, crisp beer. An easily quaffable beer that is an improvement on the Barons Lager with a bonus 5c bottle refund in South Australia.
This is a decent Munich Helles Lager.

Verdict - Good

Sol Beer

Country - Mexico

Percentage - 4.5%

Brewing Company - Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma S.A. de C.V.

This is a traditional Mexican brew dating back to 1924. When poured this is a clear pale gold colour beer with a white head that dissipates providing almost no aroma. On tasting, the beer has a light body and has very bland flavour associated with a chemical bitterness. With an added lime there is finally some lief breathed into this! The lime is a remarkable improvement making this an average alternative to a Corona. Whilst similar in style to the popular Mexican Corona it dos not meet is bench mark , and only holds a candle to the Cerveza Dos Equis.

Verdict - Palatable

Monteith's Original Ale

Country - New Zealand

Percentage - 4.0%

Brewing company- Monteith's Brewing Company

Monteith's Brewing Company established  in 1868 is located in Greymouth on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Monteith's have one more than 70 International Awards. established in the 1800s for the demand of 30,000 thirsty gold prospectors it remains one of New Zealand's finest Brewery's.
When poured in a Monteith's Brewing Company glass this is a dark amber beer with a white head providing a slight barley aroma. This beer has a medium body associated with pleasant flavours exhibiting notes of caramel and burnt sugar on the palate with berry overtones. Overall a great beer that is easily enjoyable. it will keep you asking for more!

Verdict - Great

Monteith's Pilsner beer

Country - New Zealand

Percentage - 5.0%

Brewing Company - Montith's Brewing Company

Pilsner's are traditionally a Lager style beer from the Czeck republic and the czech republic currently (2011)lead the world in beer consumption per capita with 158.6 Liters. Interestingly in 1979 Australia lad the world in beer consumption with a massive 300 Liters per capita.
When poured this is a clear gold colour beer with a white head providing little aroma. the beer is pleasant on the palate with good carbonation. This is a crisp tasting beer with a rich hop bitterness and a hint of malt. A very enjoyable beer that is very easy to knock back, but lacks any unique qualities. New Zealand can be proud of this fine Pilsner that is well matched with a light BBQ, fish, and salads.

Verdict - Great  

Matso's Mango Beer

Country - Australia

Percentage - 4.5%

Brewing Company - Matso's Broome Brewery

When poured this is a clear gold colour beer with a white head providing a sweet aroma of beautiful ripe mango, the inspiration for this tropical style beer. With good lacing as the beer is consumed this is a refreshing and sweet beer with a lovely flavour of lush mango and cream. This is a well balanced beer with a dry sweetness reportedly based on a classic Belgium Blonde recipe using 100% natural mango making for a unique beer. Overall a sweet tasting mango beer ideal for a hot afternoon but defiantly not a session beer, in fact why not share this with a good mate before the start of a session!

Verdict - Great

Landlord Strong Pale Ale

Country - United Kingdom

Percentage - 4.1%

Brewing company - Timothy Taylor & Co. Ltd

"Lnadlord is a classic pale ale, brewed in the traditional way from the famous Knowle Spring water. This full flavoured brew has won many awards at the Great British Beer festivals. Timothy Taylor started brewing in 1858 and his business continues as a family company at the original brewery."
When poured this is a dark amber colour beer with a head that dissipates but laves good lacing as consumed  providing  a mild aroma of caramel malt. It is a smooth beer with a medium mouth feel that is slightly dry with a lingering bitterness. This could be considered a clumsy beer that is still quite drinkable.

Verdict - Good

Coldstream Naked Ale

Country - Australia

Percentage - 4.8%

Brewing Company - Coldstream Brewery

The beer reminds Maca swimming in the rivers in winter as a young boy - freezing ones testicles off.
When poured this is a dark copper colour beer with a a small white head providing very little aroma.
This is a medium bodied English pale Ale with a bitter finnish lacking in complexity. Sure there is malt but" delicately balanced" - we dont think so! This is not as crisp as we would have expected but has rather a English style heaviness about it. Overall a dissapointing beer that as Maca says only has one thing going for it and that is the colour of the label - red & White ( Sydney Swans or St George depending on the code you fololw).

Verdict - OK

Lucky Beer

Country - China 

Percentage - 4.5%

Brewing Company - The Lucky Drink Company Ltd Pty

A very unique bottle shaped like a Chineese Happy Budha holding a gold nugget above his head and prominant belly . We have decided to consume this one from the bottle given the detail gone into the green bottle. There is a faint aroma with a noes similar to a Budweiser -  authentic asian recipe means this beer is brewed with a mix of rice and malted barley. The beer has a crisp clean flavour allowing one to throw it back quickly with a slight sweet finish. Our exprince also has allowed us to declare that whilst the beer is imbibed you will have luck in any tasks performed!

Verdict - Great

Barons Lemon Myrtle Witbier

Country - Australia

Percentage - 4.5%

Brewing Company - Barons Brewing

When poured this is a light cloudy golden colour beer with a medium head that provides a lemon myrtle aroma. On tasting, the lemon flavour is very pronounced. This is balanced out in the after taste with the wheat and and yeast flavours rolling through . This is a clean refreshing beer that is lively on the palate but quite smooth as well delivering a unique flavour that is a great beer to showcase the Australian native herbs and spices. An excellent beer as a starter to a good session.

Verdict - Excellent

White Rabbit White Ale

Country - Australia

Percentage - 4.5%

Brewing Company - White Rabbit Brewery

The Dark Ale is an awesome beer so we are concerned that this will not match it's predecessor. When poured this is a straw coloured beer with a white frothy head producing an inviting floral aroma with a hint of wheat. On tasting, the beer has a surprising tart flavour making the wheat indistinguishable and not entirely enjoyable. The beer performs much like a premature ejaculate; a good build up with high expectations that ends abruptly in disgust! We now understand why the Dark Ale is the preferred beer and more widely popular. White Rabbit Brewing should strongly consider discontinuing this ale! The White Ale is truly a disappointment, unfortunately the White Rabbit Brewery has created a malformed retard for the impressive brother!

Verdict - Terrible 

Feral White

Country - Australia

Percentage - 4.6%

Brewing Company - Feral brewing Company

From the producers of the popular Feral Hop Hog IPA.
When poured this is a light cloudy gold colour beer with a small head and little carbonation providing an appetising aroma of barley and wheat with some orange fruity notes. The beer claims to be a "Belgian style white beer" and this is seems to be  achieved through the use of coriander and orange peel flavours at the forefront of the beer. However this orange spice citrus flavour is sickly sweet and makes the wheat and barley non- distinguishable. This is a unique beer but not one we would stock in the fridge.

Verdict - Good

Konig Pilsener

Country - Germany

Percentage - 4.9%

Brewing company - Konig Brauerei

The first records of this type of beer appears in 1911. Fully imported from Germany you can purchase a carton for under $40. This is a Pilsner but not in a green bottle!
When poured this is a pale gold colour beer with a white foamy head providing a sweet aroma leaving good lacing as imbibed. On tasting, the beer has a medium body with a crisp malted barley flavour. Refreshingly pleasant on a hot summers day.

Verdict - Good

Ekim Viking IPA

Country - Sydney, Australia

Percentage - 6.1%

Brewing Company - Ekim Brewing Company

"Ekim Brewing Co is a boutique beer company that focuses on producing a small collection of hand crafted beer. Ekim prides itself on maintaining its quality by producing beer that is unfiltered and unpasteurised opting only to use natural ingredients."This company actually brews at the Happy Goblin Brewery and from our experience are providing a better quality beer than those that own the Brewery.
Our expectations were high as the Ekim, After Battle Pale Ale performed so well. IPA's are generally known for their extreme bitterness and this beer is described as hybrid English-American Pale Ale brewed with English malts & American hop varieties.
When poured this is a dark copper colour beer with an excellent off white head providing good carbonation and head retention providing the beer with a stone fruit aroma. A bold taste with caramel notes and roasted flavours dominate the palate followed by a zesty and bitter after taste. Spawned by generations of rape & pillaging the Viking IPA has an impressive alcohol content and is something to behold.

Verdict - Excellent 

Spitfire Kentish Ale

Country - Britain, United Kingdom

Percentage - 4.5%

Brewing Company - Shepherd Neame Ltd

Brewed by Britain's oldest brewer (1698) this beer was "First brewed in 1990 to celebrate the Battle of Britain which was fought in the skies above Kent fifty years earlier. This beer is named after the legendary Spitfire Aeroplane designed by R.J. Mitchell"
When poured this is a clear dark bronze beer with an off white head providing a mild aroma of toffee. On tasting, this is a medium body beer with roasted toffee and caramel notes followed by some spicy flavours and bitterness . Overall a pleasant tasting English Pale Ale that we will endeavour to appreciate on Remembrance Day each year.

Verdict - Great

Matilda Bay Alpha pale Ale

Country - Australia

Percentage - 5.2%

Brewing Company - Matilda Bay Brewing Company

When poured this is a dark amber colour beer with a beige head providing a wonderful bouquet with floral and citrus hops. In tasting, the beer has a moderate body with some grapefruit up front. "Masterfully balanced through the palate to deliver a whack of hop bitterness at the end." This is a tasty well structured beer that is possibly the best Matilda Bay to date. Ultimately we believe this to be an excellent example of an American Pale Ale, full of piny, fruity flavours that are hop driven. This is definitely worth drinking again & again!

Verdict - Excellent

Murray's Icon 2IPA

Country - Australia

Percentage - 7.5%

Brewing Company - Murray's Craft Brewing Company

When poured this is a dark amber colour beer with an frothy off white head producing excellent lacing that is retained to the end of the glass. A hint of spice on the nose. On tasting, the beer is a smooth full bodied beer with hints of stone fruit and citrus hop characters masking the alcohol well followed by a bitter punch. This maybe viewed as a gate way beer to a Porter or a Stout but is easily enjoyable on its own. Overall a very drinkable beer with an added buzz (7.5%) that would match a good hot dish such as a Thai Curry. Definitely look out for this one!

Verdict - Excellent

White Rabbit Dark Ale

Country - Australia

Percentage - 4.9%

Brewing Company - White Rabbit Brewery

What makes this beer unique is that it is brewed in European style "Open Fermenters" allowing the yeast to go wild. 
When poured this is a dark brown colour beer with a foamy beige head. Very little can be said about the aroma. This is a full bodied beer that has a rich and interesting blend of slightly chocolate malt and hops that are just bitter enough to provide an excellent balance. With a solid malt backbone the beer has a pleasant creamy mouth feel. This is a refreshing Dark Ale with a floral hop signature that can be enjoyed anytime of the year!

Verdict - Exceptional

4 Pines Pale Ale

Country - Manly, Australia

Percentage - 5.1%

Brewing Company - 4 Pines Brewing Company

Based in Manly this micro brewery was established in 2008 and abide by the German Purity Laws. Their company logo is based on the Norfolk Pine tree and its history. In 1941 four of the pines were removed from the Manly foreshore to install  machine gun emplacements to protect Australian shores during World War II. A plaque at the site of one of the stumps reads "This and three other trees were removed for defence purposes in December 1941 when these shores were threatened with evasion. Their absence is a reminder of the many greater sacrifices made to preserve this fair land for the people of Australia."
When poured this  has a colourful deep ruby appearance with an aroma of grape fruit and a hint of pine. On tasting, this a clean tasting beer with a good bitterness and hop flavour. On the palate the beer has a medium body with amalt background and a bitter finish. This is clearly an enjoyable beer with a great history.

Verdict - Excellent

Dos Equis Lager

Country - Mexico

Percentage - 4.3%

Brewing company - Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma S.A de C.V.

Crafted in America since 1897 to commemorate the arrival of the "XX" Century. "Dos Equis" stands for two X's in Spanish, celebrating the arrival of the second Century.

When poured a clear gold colour beer with a thin white head and some carbonation providing a slight pilsner aroma as the head diminishes in a blink of an eye. This is a fresh crisp beer that is light on the palate with an agreeable biscuit like malt flavour and a well balanced bitterness. This is a fine beer perfect for a hot summers day and very easy to imbibe. Possibly Mexico's best beer??

Verdict - Good 

Clausthaler Classic

Country - Germany

Percentage - 0.5%

Brewing company - Binding Brauerie AG

Brewed in accordance with the German Purity Laws but with a special cultivated yeast that does not produce as much alcohol.

When poured this is a gold amber beer with a head that dissipates rapidly but leaves good lacing as the beer is imbibed providing a strong aroma of hops. This is a pleasant tasting bear that is clean, light and refreshing with the hops delivering a bite of bitterness. This beer is a revelation that is an improvement on the other non/low alcoholic beers reviewed here. Clausthaler has achieved in the production of a fine and most importantly drinkable low alcoholic beer. This is an extra ordinary beer boasting "the leading non-alcoholic beer brand in Europe & most successful non/low alcoholic beer in the world" Now you can savour a cold beer without th affect.

Verdict - Exceptional (for a low/non alcoholic beer)

Hacker-Pschorr Munich Gold

Country - Germany

Percentage - 5.5%

Brewing company - Hacker-Pschorr Brau GmbH

Described as a Helles lager. Hell is the German adjective for "light" whilst Helles is a noun used in the sense "of a light one" This refers to the colour only as is is designed for the warm summer evenings.

When poured this is a clear light golden amber beer with an excellent white had and good carbonation providing a light pleasant sweet malt aroma and a note of lemon and excellent lacing as imbibed. Th beer has a light body and is highly drinkable with a smooth, refreshing and fairly crisp finish. This is a well balanced, easy session beer with a great iconic label that creates a sense of anticipation before you pop the top.

Verdict - Excellent

Sierra Nevada, Torpedo Extra IPA

Country - California, USA

Percentage - 7.2%

Brewing Company - Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

When poured this is a cloudy gold, orange beer with an enticing hue and a white head providing  a fantastic strong aroma of passion fruit. The lacing is exquisite as the beer is imbibed. On tasting, this is a smooth, medium body beer boasting passion fruit and grape fruit flavours. The beer provides a bitter punch in the mouth before the passion fruit rolls on through to a slight sweetness. The beer possesses masses of hop flavour particularly citrus, spice, pine and grass producing an absolutely remarkable, beautiful beer.  A new heaven can be found in California!

Verdict - Exceptional

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Country - Calafornia, USA

Percentage - 5.6%

Brewing Company - Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Sierra Nevada brewing Company was established in 1980 by home brewers Ken Berrisman and Paul Kaloosi. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was their first marketed beer and best selling beer to date.
When poured this is an amber orange beer with frothy white head. There is a pronounced strong aroma of lemon and grassy notes but the citrus is ever present. On tasting, the beer has a a medium body accompanied with a creamy smooth mouth feel. This is a complex tasting beer with a hint of grape fruit at the end of the palate. Whilst this is a decent drop of beer the lemon bite is a little overpowering and remains a distraction throughout the swill.

Verdict - Great

Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted Blond Beer

Country - Scotland

Percentage - 4.2%

Brewing Company - Harviestoun Brewery

When poured this is a hazy gold colour beer with a poor white head and no effervescence to be seen in the beer. The "late hopping with Styrian Golding's " adds little to what is a slightly spicy aroma. On tasting this is a smooth beer with a medium body. There are some citrus notes at the end of the palate and some moresome spicy notes. This is not a bad tasting beer but one has to do alot of drinking for 4.2% ABV (500ml). Perhaps the Scottish need to stick to brewing whiskey.

Veredict - Good

Wingwalker American Belgian Style Wheat Ale

Country - New York, USA

Percentage - 4.6%

Brewing Company - RJ King Wingwalker Brewing Company

When poured this is a straw coloured beer, cloudy and light gold with a frothy white head that dissipates quickly. An aroma of stale wheat with grassy notes dominates but also the faint aroma of crisp celery. On consumption the beer retains its head well associated with good lacing. On tasting, the sour taste of celery triumphs followed by a dry aftertaste of celery. An awful tasting beer that leaves us stranded - unable to finish the beer! This beer is wrong on so many levels - watery body, low bitterness, and did we mention the celery! This beer is possibly the worst tasting beer ever. An extraordinary achievement for any brewer but perhaps not one BJ King Wingwalker Brewing Company wish to achieve.

Verdict - Terrible 

Wingwalker American Pale Ale

Country - Rochester, New York, USA

Percentage - 4.6%

Brewing Company - RJ King Wingwalker Brewing Company

The label of this bottle appealed to Maca. When poured this is a clear amber orange beer with a white head that dissipates, although there is excellent lacing evident as the beer is consumed. There are some faint floral citrus hops on the nose. This is a medium bodied beer with mellow citrus flavours. The hops dominates the malt with typical ale sweetness making this an enjoyable and easy drinking. As far as Pale Ale's go this is a vast improvement on the Southern Tier Brewing Company (New York) and dare I say it an improvement on the James Squire One Fifty Lashes. Advertised as "New York's Finest" this is one the Yankees can be proud of. At $49.95 a case you could do a lot worse!

Verdict - Great

Hahn Harvest Premium Ale Limited Release 2012

Country - Australia

Perecentage - 4.2%

Brewing Company - Hahn Brewing Company

When poured this is an amber beer with a frothy bright white head with a small amount of carbonation. The beer has a chemical driven aroma that the Macro Breweries here in Australia are famous for. On tasting, the beer has a medium palate whilst the malt makes its presents felt associated with some roasted flavours. The beer has a dry finish with a chemical back bone making the beer not very enjoyable. We appreciate what Hahn is trying to do, offer a little sophistication to the unsophisticated man but this beer is pitiful. A little better than the cascade Pale Ale but not much better. Lets hope this beer remains a limited release!

Verdict - Palatable

Dundee IPA

Country - Rochester, New York, USA

Percentage - 6.3%

Brewing Company - Dundee Brewing Company

This is one of a wide variety of ales commercially available andpproduced by Dundee Brewing Company. When poured this is a slightly hazy amber orange beer with a frothy off-white head providing good carbonation throughout the beer. The head retention is superb with a fine lacing evident upon consumption leaving tell tale signs of each gulp. An enticing fruity citrus aroma with a hint of mango dominates the senses. The beer has a creamy sweet citrus taste, focused on a good hop variety - citrus, grapefruit, pine, and resin balanced with sweet caramel. An amazing achievement from New York, USA! Overall this is a fairly seasonable, well balanced, bright IPA.

Verdict - Excellent

Moo Brew Hefeweizen

Country - Tasmania, Australia

Percentage - 5.1%

Brewing Company - Moorilla Estate

When poured this is a light golden colour beer with a white head that dissipates quickly. There is a slight floral aroma with a hint of clove. "Hefeweizen is naturally cloudy with vibrant yellow colours & a strong foam head." Unfortunately the beer does NOT match this description. The beer is light on the palate with a watery mouth feel. The beer is comparable to a Belgium style Wit Bier, but chokes just like the NRL team St George Dragons.

Veredict - OK

Ranga Premium Red Ale

Country - Victoria, Australia

Percentage - 4.5%

Brewing Company - Ranga Brewing Company

We believe there are not very many red ales commercially available in Australia, and we believe this is most likely our first. When poured this is an amber red beer (no surprise there) with a white head that dissipates awfully quickly providing  a decent aroma that is quite alluring hinting at passion fruit. On tasting, this is a sweet malty beer with caramel malt flavours and orange blossom notes. There is some slight bitterness at the end from the floral and citrus hops. As a percentage of all sales go to saving the original Rangas of the world (Orangutans) from extinction, we can now drink for a cause allowing us to sleep better at night. Overall a good beer suited to the colder weather, just a shame the head is gone faster than a brides panties on her wedding night!

Verdict - Great

Viking Pilsner

Country - Iceland

Percentage - 4.4%

Brewing Company - Viking Beer

Iceland has a short brewing history but have a holiday called "Beer Day" (1st of March) celebrating the lifting of Prohibition in 1989. The low carb, full strength, pilsner is the countries highest selling beer.
When poured this is a straw coloured beer with a white head that dissipates. Despite the diminished head there remains good head retention providing a favourable hoppy aroma. The beer is clean and crisp with a well rounded bready malt flavour. The beer provides good bitterness making the beer refreshing and enjoyable. For a country with only a 23 year history of brewing Iceland have created a fantastic low carb beer that the World brewers should take note of!

Veredict  - Excellent

Mac's Gold All Malt Lager

Country - New Zealand

Percentage - 3.8%

Brewing Company - Lion Ltd

The beer has an excellent ring pull, the beer smoking as expected upon opening. When poured this is a clear gold colour beer with a white head that dissipates quickly to almost nothing! No real distinctive nose is apparent but perhaps a hint of barley malt. On tasting the beer has a light body and a watery mouth feel. There is some bitterness at the end of the palate. Whilst the beer can be described as a clean and crisp this beer is in essence a boring poorly balanced macro-lager. New Zealand has better beers on offer. The beer has the staying power of an Aboriginal at a job interview patricually the carbonation and head!

Verdict - Palatable

Cascade Pale Ale

Country - Tasmania, Australia

Percentage - 5.0%

Brewing Company - Cascade Brewery Company

When poured this is clear gold colour beer with a small white head. No true aroma is associated with the beer but perhaps a hint of apple cider and some chemical appeal. On tasting this is a light bodied, lagerish beer with a semi-dry finish followed by a hint of citrus. A very poor tasting pale ale that pales in comparison to many others -  even the impoverished ones! This is a disappointing bland Pale Ale that at the end of the day only performs as another macro-lager - Carlton Draught certainly comes to mind. This cannot call itself Pale Ale unless it has Shit in the title!

Verdict - Bad

Feral Hop Hog IPA

Country - Western Australia

Percentage - 5.8%

Brewing Company - Feral Brewing Company

An American style IPA, when poured this is a cloudy orange amber beer with a beige head. There is good lacing and head retention as the beer is enjoyed. There is an awesome floral aroma hinting of pine needles, citrus, and grape fruit. On tasting this is a smooth medium body beer with bread malts supported by the hop flavours. This is a crisp tasting beer with citrus and grapefruit detected on the palate and some bitterness at the end. Overall this is a very pleasant tasting experience supported by a well balanced beer, lending itself to be one of Australia's best loved IPA's. Further more "The Critics' Choice Australia's Best Beers" awarded the Feral Hop Hog IPA as Australia's Best Beer "Awards  and accolades and the praise of beer lovers across the country shower down upon this beer which is a consistent Top 10 performer."

Verdict - Exceptional

Magic Hat #9 Not Quite Pale Ale

Country - USA

Percentage - 5.1%

Brewing Company - Magic Hat Brewing Company

Firstly it must be noted that each lid when opened has a different comment on the inside. Mine "History Mystery Prohibition" "Not quite" sure what to make of it?
When poured this is an amber orange beer with a a white head providing some grassy notes in the aroma. There are some almost floral and apricot aroma's but "Not Quite". The beer is light on the palate, "Not Quite" sweet, "Not Quite" bitter and a little watery. Magic hat brewing Company Alan Newman is quoted "I can look people in the eye and tell them 'Youll never have another beer like this!" NOT QUITE, but do I want another beer like this? Overall "Not Quite" sessionable and "Not Quite" great either. However its "Not Quite" bad

Verdict - "Not Quite" Good

Carlsberg Elephant

Country - Denmark

Percentage - 7.2%

Brewing Company - The Carlsberg Group

When poured this is a clear gold colour beer with a white head that dissipates however good lacing is provided as the beer is quaffed. There is a wonderful hops aroma that makes its presence felt. On tasting the beer delivers a pilsener style taste but with a flavoursome light malt backbone. This is a vast improvement on  the Carlsberg (brewed under licence in Australia) and hides the liquor well. This is a delicious, full flavoured pilsener that proves Carlsberg is a able to provide a fine product deserving greatness. Look for this in your local bottle shop if you want an easy drinking beer with one of the best alcohol contents for its type!

Verdict - Excellent

Cricketers Arms Lager

Country - Australia

Percentage - 4.6%

Brewing Company - Sundance Brewing Internatonal

The label on this beer is outstanding, setting it apart from many others. When poured this is a clear gold colour beer with a white head, providing an inviting citrus orange aroma that could be described as a little tart. On tasting, the beer has a real citrus flavour "made with sun dried Australian malt". Cricketers Arms is infused with Amarillo hops imparting an intriguing citrus character to the aroma and flavour" This is a summer beer best suited to the cricket. Think how it could have been, standing elbow to elbow at the Sydney Cricket Ground watching Shane Warne text his mistress whilst we pour this lush beer over that athletes body of his! It sends chills down our spines. A fantastic beer not only for those that love their cricket.

Verdict - Excellent

Ballast Point Big Eye IPA

Country - San Diego, California, USA

Percentage - 6.8%

Brewing Company - Ballast Point Brewing Company

When poured this is an amber orange beer with a foamy off-white head and a spicy aroma hinting at rock melon and passion fruit. The beer is fairly smooth on the palate with a strong spicy flavour. We would prefer more carbonation on the palate though. Overall this is a well created beer that is sweet tasting with a reasonable bitterness at the end. One to wet the appetite for more appreciation of IPA's.

Veredict - Great

Estrella Damm Inedit

Country - Spain

Percentage - 4.8%

Brewing company - Damm S. A.

INEDIT means " Never Been Done Before", created to pair with challenging foods containing citrus and oils ie. salads and vinegar based sources. The beer uses a combination of barley malt, wheat, hops, coriander, orange peal, yeast, and water.
When poured this is a hazy gold colour beer with a white head. A very enticing floral aroma grips the senses with hints of spice, but on the palate this is a smooth beer with a medium body and certainly not as complex as one is lead to believe. This is an amazing beer that masters the blend of lager and wheat beer styles. An impressive beer for those of us that are a little swank.

Verdict - Excellent

James Squire One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale

Country - Australia

Perecentage - 4.2%

Brewing Company  - Malt Shovel Brewery Pty Ltd

Described as having "Refreshing character and a fruity nose with hints of passion fruit, grape fruit  and citrus" When poured this is a hazy gold colour beer with a white head that dissipates. The hints of passion fruit, grape fruit, and citrus are difficult to appreciate in the aroma but do make themselves present on tasting in particular the passion fruit.
Unfortunately for James Squire there are many better Pale Ales on the market and whilst many pub establishments have promoted this as a good tap beer it just does not have the balls to compete against other quality Pale Ales including Ekim, Wicked Elf, 28 Pale Ale, & the Endeavour. Perhaps James Squire not only lost his freedom but also his balls on the way to Australia! Poor Bloke!
All this said, One Fifty Lashes remains one of  James Squire better and most recognised beers that does out perform alot of Australian Macro Lagers.

Verdict - Good

James Squire The Chancer Golden Ale

Country  - Australia

Percentage - 4.5%

Brewing Company - Malt Shovel Brewery Pty Ltd

Described as having a "Tropical fruit aroma & restrained bitterness, while mild carbonation & a dry finish make it the ideal thirst-slacking beer." When poured this is an amber red/orange beer with an off-white head and as Bernadette describes it "resembling hepatic encephalopathy piss!" Whilst the aroma is more rounded in comparison to the Four Wives Pilsener, the tropical fruit is barely perceptible but some toasted barley notes are apparent. On tasting, this beer has a medium body. The toasted grains of wheat and barley promise a good lush beer , but the aftertaste lingers a little to long  in the back of your mouth leaving a sour taste. This beer is perhaps just a little too sickly sweet and has performed poorly on each occasion we have had it.
James Squire continues to produce the most over rated beers we have tasted as it carries on the tradition of acting as a convict, taking peoples hard earned cash and replacing it with a dumbed down beer for the dumbed down Aussie

Verdict - Good

James Squire Nine Tales Amber Ale

Country - Australia

Percentage - 5.0%

Brewing Company - Malt Shovel Brewery Pty Ltd

Described as "Hand-crafted with pale & crystal malts & distinctive hops for a long, slightly nutty finish." When poured this is an amber red colour beer with a frothy off-white head. Malts are evident on the nose and fine lacing is revealed as the beer is consumed. The crystal malt forms the backbone of this beer with some roasted flavours shining through, finishing with a well rounded, mellow malt flavour. This is a comfortable beer to imbibe as Maca does not necessarily feel James Squire poking his back pocket for more cash!

Verdict - Good

James Squire Four Wives Pilsener

Country - Australia

Percentage - 5.0%

Brewing Company - Malt Shovel Brewery Pty Ltd

Described as an "Authentic brew of sparkling golden brilliance, distinctive floral hop aroma & enticing spicy finish." When poured this is a clear golden colour beer with a frothy white head and effervescence streaming up through the beer associated with a floral hop aroma but no real distinction from other pilseners is to be found. The beer has a medium body with good carbonation throughout the mouth.  The Munich malt and Sazz hops seems to add very little to this beer. Whilst this is an easy drinking beer it is a little bland and there seems to be just something missing in this beer in comparison to other pilsners.

Verdict - Good

James Squire Jack of Spades Porter

Country - Australia

Percentage - 5.0%

Brewing Company - Malt Shovel Brewery Pty Ltd

Described as a "Dark, complex Porter with hints of malt chocolate, roasted coffee & a light creamy finish." When poured this is a black beer with a slight tinge of red with a frothy beige head. The aroma is a mix of coco, dark chocolate and some roast. On tasting dark roasted flavours with a hint of chocolate dominate the palate. There is some bitterness with a lingering after taste of dark chocolate. Maca feels that this is a good Porter but as his tastes are opposed to the roasted coffee flavours the best he can rate the beer is OK. However I do have an appreciation for this type of beer and find this to be a decent Porter.

Verdict - Great

Efes Pilsen

Country - Turkey

Percentage - 5.0%

Brewing Company - Efes Beverage Group

When poured this is a clear gold colour beer with a white head that dissipates fairly quickly leaving little aroma on the nose. On tasting, there are some cereal grain's upfront associated with a touch of grassy hops. Dan Murphy's description "citric tones of lemon and a hint of orange, enhanced by a sense of honey, toffee , & biscuit." is overly embellished as the citrus is barely detectable let alone anything else. This is not a terrible beer but not memorable either. Unfortunately for the Turkish this pales in comparison to many other pilseners. Overall this is a disappointing pilsener that is quite bland.

Verdict - OK

Kosciuszko Pale Ale

Country - Jindabyne, Australia

Percentage - 4.5%

Brewing Company - Kosciuszko Brewing Company

Be aware that is is difficult to find this beer brewed and bottled at Kosciuszko Brewery, Jindabyne as the beer is generally found brewed and bottled under licence in Australia, as this review is based on.
When poured this is a hazy gold colour beer with an off-white head. The aroma is quite fruity with rock melon and a hint of green apple. There is excellent lacing  and head retention to the last drop. This is a crisp tasting beer with some maltiness and a "fruity hop finish". The beer is smooth and easy drinking with a decent balance of bitterness and flavour however there is something lacking in this beer in comparison to other Pale Ale's but it also seems to find its feet. An easy drinking Pale Ale for those trying this particular style.

Verdict - Great