In the second of our 12 Beers of Christmas series, the Gazette panelists discussed the following craft beers:
Balter’s XPA:
An extra pale ale from the Gold Coast and has an alcohol percentage of 5.8.
It has tropical and floral hops suiting a more fruity palette but the strong hoppy taste doesn’t linger, making it quite crisp and a good entrance beer for new craft drinkers.
Balter’s hallmark beer was released in 2016 debuting at number four on the hottest 100 Aussie craft beers list before jumping to the top spot last year.
Founded by Aussie Surfer Mick Fanning and his mates, 2018 saw Balter expand its range and reach, sending drinks outside Queensland.
A good classic beef burger is a perfect match.
Pirate Life’s Throwback IPA:
A session India Pale Ale from Hindmarsh, South Australia, and at a 3.5 percent it is a mid-strength.
With a honey colour it is hop driven with a very distinguished fruity flavour. With a natural sweetness that comes from its grapefruit and citrus hops, it doesn’t overpower the palate.
It does have a lingering bitterness that is tasted throughout the entire beer as Pirate life wanted to maintain a modern IPA taste.
The Throwback IPA was Pirate Life Brewings first release in 2015.
That year it reached number 11 on the hottest 100 and in 2017 it sat at 42.
Being quite light, pairing this with fried chicken or chips is great.
Kosciuszko Pale Ale:
From Jindabyne, NSW, with an alcohol percentage of 4.5.
It is a standard and safe pale ale not really going over the top in any one flavour.
It is simple in the right way, with a mid to low malt body and a mild bitterness which is evident but not dominating.
Kosciuszko has been one of the more popular craft beers over the past few years, as it toes the line between craft and everyday beer due to its popularity and simple flavours.
Reaching 39 on the hottest 100 in 2016, it ranked 69 last year and looks to remain a top beer for the years to come.
An easy pairing for this pale ale is a caesar salad. Both are simple and together filling.
Kaiju! Krush Tropical Paley:
A pale ale from Dandegong South in Victoria, with a percentage of 4.7.
This very fruity ale has tropical and passion fruit aromatics that give off summery vibes and is assisted by a clean malt profile.
The heavy fruit presence tones down the bitterness but doesn’t negate it.
Kaiju! Krush ranked 10th on last year’s hottest 100.
It goes well with tropical fruits but would also suit any fresh seafood or slow cooked white meat, really nailing it’s Aussie summer feel.
Check out what our panelists had to say about these beers in the video at the top.
Let us know what beers you like and what beers you’d want us to try in the future.
Return next week and grab the December 19 issue of the Hawkesbury Gazette to see the third and final series of the 12 Beers of Christmas.
The Hawkesbury Gazette wants to remind everyone to be safe and responsible when drinking over the holiday period.
Our tasters only had a small amount of each beer and were eating food throughout the tastings.
DrinkWise says that ‘Drinking responsibly is about drinking in moderation’.
For more information visit www.drinkwise.org.au
Be safe, be smart and enjoy yourselves these holidays.