As a beer writer and ‘expert’ in the craft beer community* I am expected to know more than merely a thing or two about beer. “You must absolutely love the latest single-batch barrel-aged super-hopped Imperial Palate Shredder” released to commemorate the first-time-since-the-last-time they made a seasonal limited edition single-batch barrel-aged super-hopped Imperial Palate Shredder, you simply must!” I hear often in the company of beer fans.
And while it’s true that there are, indeed, times when a special release is greeted with the same child-like joy once reserved for the imminent arrival of the Scanlen’s Footy Cards, there are also times when the craving turns more towards what some would consider ‘the mundane’. It is on these occasions where ‘only the rest will do’.
A recent visit to the home of a new acquaintance led to thinking about what beer really is and what it can, or should, be able to do. Welcomed in warmly, the host then had what could be described as a sudden attack of ‘what-do-I-do-now?!’ as he made to offer his guest a beer. ‘I’m not sure what I’m supposed to offer a beer expert! I hope I don’t disappoint or offend you!’ he said as he searched the fridge, hoping something exotic would suddenly materialise to extract him from his predicament. ‘I hope {insert readily available and nationally distributed mainstream lager here} is OK for you?
He almost seemed visibly relieved when I assured him that whatever he was having would be just fine. “The best beer is the one in your hand” seemed to settle him somewhat and all again was well. But this did highlight to me that sometimes we can get a bit precious about our preferred tipple and, often, it is a good thing to appreciate the little things – even if they come from rather large sources.
Choosing stock for a tasting last week set the tastebuds tingling as the shelves of choice were perused. But, as often happens to me, the urge to buy what I felt like drinking there-and-then overtook me and, hot as it was, I grabbed a handful of what many would describe as ‘bland fizz’. Lager, even. It was not until I was paying at the register that it occurred to me that, sometimes at least, the beer is chosen by methods other than those expected of a ‘beer expert’.
Decisions, decisions. In the end I decided to pinch a pic from Brews News own James Davidson’s blog.
The weather was warm, the sun was shining and my work day was almost done. Reward was beckoning and the mouth was a little parched. Crisp, cool and refreshing lager with a firm but floral hop character and bitterness was what the craving demanded. And so lager it was.
I am more than proud to admit that sometimes beers for me are selected on what, to some, may appear an odd criteria. I’ll buy because I like the brewer or the brewery. I buy if I feel I may have ‘neglected’ the beer for a time. I buy because I heard someone somewhere speaking disparagingly of it or because I had heard it mentioned on that marvellous and informative podcast series, Radio Brews News**. Sometimes I buy a beer because it is the flagship beer of a brewery I support but whose ‘early efforts’ I feel are being ignored. Sometimes I buy a beer to see what the fuss is about and other times because.. well, just because.
So next time you’re searching the shelves for something ‘special’, take a step back and see if you can find a little nugget hidden among the shiny new toys. And enjoy it. Even better if you can find a mate who hasn’t yet discovered the joys of the beer you now perhaps take for granted.
*I saw myself referred to in print as one of Australia’s leading beer experts recently and, as it was someone whose opinion I highly respect, I am in no position to disagree. Feel free to disagree with my agreement, however.
**Yeah, whatever.
drink more imperial stouts and life is fine
I think it reflects badly on the attitudes of people who are supposedly in the know about beer if lager/pilsner is looked upon as dull. It’s all horses for courses, obviously you’ll struggle to enjoy an imperial stout on a stinking hot day. Doesn’t mean we have to go back to drinking the yellow fizz, when there lots excellent examples of decent craft lagers abound?
I agree with the sentiment broadly, but I just can’t see how a can of XXXX could beat a proper pilsner? Cost and ease of acquisition aside. But I will agree that, push come to shove, the true test of a supposed beer expert is to enjoy those moments when a bottle of whatever is thrust into your hand, and all that matters is the people and refreshment, and not necessarily the contents of the bottle.
I think the big-for-big’s-sake phase has become a bit of a rite of passage for plenty of serious beer drinkers these days.
But I don’t believe that after the novelty wears off one is destined to revert back to 5%-ish easy drinking ales and lagers.
These days I’m finding highest drinkability to be found among quality hoppy ales in the 6 – 8% range and sours (broadly speaking) in the 5 – 6% range. These beers have signficantly more flavour and often more balance than many in the aforementioned category, and when brewed well, are no more trying or challenging for the palate.
Yes, but no.
Don’t get me wrong, if you find a pub with clean taps, even a Carlton Draught can be surprisingly refreshing, but it does bug me when I see people buy slabs of Carlton Cold when an extra $5 can buy you something pretty awesome.
I’d have to agree. I think I’m now entering post beer retard stage. I had a mate bring beer over and panicked when at the bottle-o (according to his missus). He ended up buying fat yak (in the bottle, not fresh, but cold and hit the spot). I thanked him for it, and we quaffed away, before I introduced Vale IPA (which isn’t an IPA, but really accessible to non beer nerds).
On the flip side, I do want a hot weather beer, and appreciate a good boh-pils for that. Stefano’s, LC Pils, or Monteith’s Pils hit the spot. I grabbed a can of imported Becks and Heineken the other day, and found the Becks stale, but I still finished it.
I love Stone & Wood Pacific Ale for a good lawnmower beer as well.
Having said that, last year’s Melbourne Cup function for work, they had only Carlton Draught and Mid, or cheap wine on offer. Drinking mineral water and watching the girls get drunk was fun though.
Absolutely right.
Never thought I’d want to brew a lager when I started home brewing, but just had the hankering for a Bo Pils during summer. Can’t wait for it to be ready.
Must agree with you Pete. A mate and I just got back from a 6 day farmhouse ale tour of Belgium. Fabulous beers and Belgian food, but after 3 days we were looking for the odd 5% pils to quench the thirst. Hard to imagine for many I guess, endless supply of superb beers and we just wanted a lager and a hotdog. Would never have entertained those thoughts before the trip. Certainly appreciate my own craft brewed beers even more.
Andy
I understand where you’re coming from, but honestly I just cannot drink Australian lager any more. Maybe Hahn Super Dry, but honestly that’s it. Give me ale or give me death.
That said, I will agree that sometimes a Coopers Green will satisfy where a Sierra Nevada just wouldn’t.
OK. I might have to fire up a bit now. Hahn Super Dry? What about Big Helga, Stone & Wood Lager, Burleigh Duke Premium, Mildura Stephano’s Pilsner, Bohemian Pilsner, Mildura Mallee Bull, Who Have I Forgotten (insert favourite Aus craft lager here)?!!! Matt and I had lunch at Matilda Bay today and had a Port Lager which was just the ticket for a chat and beer. There are plenty of good beers from the Eve side of the family tree out there.
Have we turned a corner. Are we in the post beer wanker stage already. I do hope craft beer doesn’t become another wine industry with a glut of makers & models.
Nice post by the way.
Haven’t necessarily turned a corner — more a case of me musing at simply needing something ‘simple’ at the time and then feeling ‘odd’ that I might be seen to feel that way. If that makes sense!?
Sometimes Prof, I look in my fridge, and I sigh. Doubles, Imperials, oak aged, brett finished, 9%, 14%… and all I want is a beer.
And lets face it, no one wants a jerk coming to their house and telling them there beer is shit. Although I have been known to pay for good beers when there is an open bar tab that doesn’t include anything good — but I’ll surreptitiously pour the bottle into a pot glass at the bar so I don’t have to have that conversation.
Nice sentiments bloke. I sense a ‘summer of sessionable beers’ coming on.