Maybe we have a problem, but to us beer is an integral part of the Australian summer experience. Negotiating the vast array of boutique and small batch beer now available at any halfway decent liquor store these days can be a daunting task, so we reached out to PIA POYNTON of excellent beer blog Girl + Beer to tell us what we should be sampling.
Mountain Goat Summer Ale
Richmond, VIC
4.7% ABV Summer Ale
If you associate summer with camping trips, hiking and adventure then this craft beer in a can should be part of your essential packing. Or maybe you’re just kinda clumsy so a can would be a great way to avoid embarrassing spillage. Either way it’s the contents of the can that counts and in this case it’s hoppy, fresh, crisp and delicious.
Colonial Small Ale
Margaret River, WA
3.5% ABV Session IPA
It’s called ‘small’ but don’t underestimate the big beer that’s lurking in this 3.5% ABV mini-monster. Arguably the best lower alcohol beer kicking around, tastiness and flavour are entirely uncompromised. Hints of caramel support citrusy hops and the finish is nice and dry. Being responsible never tasted so good.
Feral Watermelon Warhead
Swan Valley, WA
2.9% Berliner Weisse
When it’s stupid-degrees hot outside and you’re about to hit melting point, best to wrap your hands around of pint of this. Out of the Swan Valley comes this 2.9% ABV Berliner Weisse, a sour wheat beer, that has been doused with local watermelon and then left to its own devices in some ex-chardonnay barrels. The result is one of the most refreshing beers you’ll find. Tangy, fruity with a noticeable freshly cut watermelon character, it’s not available all year round but when it is, it’s incredible.
Nail Red Ale
Bassendean, WA
6% ABV Red Ale
This is the latest addition to the permanent Nail beer family. Brewed right here in Perth, Nail is the sort of brewery that makes beer geeks in Melbourne turn green with envy. Expect a beer with fresh hoppy notes like grapefruit and mango balanced perfectly against a bit of caramel. Also expect your palate to demand you go back for seconds.
Stone & Wood Pacific Ale
Byron Bay, NSW
4.4% ABV Pacific Ale
An Australian summer beer list that doesn’t include this beer would be ceremoniously laughed at and shown the recycling bin. From Bryon Bay to Fremantle, this beer is loved by all whose lips have been treated to its bright passion fruit characters. Pacific Ale is more refreshing than a splash in the ocean and more highly spoken of than Mother Theresa.
Homestead Kaiser’s Choice Hefeweizen
Swan Valley, WA
5% ABV Hefeweizen
Homestead is Perth’s newest brewery, it’s home is the Swan Valley just in case you needed another excuse to head that way. Their Hefeweizen, a German style wheat beer, is a soft beer with just the right amount of banana and light spices to make any fan of this beer style go weak at the knees and back to the bar for seconds. Wheat beers are a summer favourite and when you find a great example like this you’ll want to drink it all year round.
Bootleg Speakeasy IPA
Margaret River, WA
5.5% ABV American India Pale Ale
From the region’s oldest brewery comes their Speakeasy IPA, a beer that if it was a Broadway show would get a standing ovation. When the sun has started to set and you’re looking for a beer with a bit more punch, more citrus, more stone fruits and chewy caramel, this is the beer you want to reach for.
Eagle Bay Pale Ale
Dunsborough, WA
5.1% ABV American-style Pale Ale
Your burgers and sausages are screaming out for this beer. This pale ale is bursting with tropical fruit salad and citrusy flavour bombs; that’s right, I said ‘flavour bombs’. Take a six-pack of this to your mate’s BBQ and, if you’re the sharing type, you’ll make new friends quickly.
