WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN KRÜGER


In Germany, beer lovers have a saying along the lines of “Always drink beer in sight of the brewery.” It means, drink local and drink fresh. Unlike wine, beer is best as fresh as possible, and the Barossa is abundant in quality local beers and ciders ready to drink fresh.
Here’s a selection that’ll slake a summer thirst.

DAVID FRANZ // GOLDEN SCRUMPY

This amazing blend of cider-meets-wine is the answer to the question; What’s semi-sweet and fizzy but a hundred times better than a glass of Moscato? Dave Lehmann has co-fermented Eden Valley Semillon, Barossa White Frontignac with Adelaide Hills Golden Delicious apples to make this bright and delightful thirst quencher. It’s big on real fresh apple aroma with a 6%ABV kick in the pants. Dave reckons roast pork is the perfect food match. The 2016 vintage is selling now, but there’s talk that the 2017 is in the works.

WWW.DAVIDFRANZ.COM

 


WESTERN RIDGE BREWING COMPANY // FRIENDLY BISON

These guys have hit the ground running with some very tasty and interesting beers, so there’s no doubt that Western Ridge beers will continue to grow in popularity. Friendly Bison is a ballsy American Pale Ale with big hop aroma and a spicy malty body. It pours almost a mahogany red with a long lasting thick head. For a hoppy beer, it’s perfectly balanced and not overpoweringly bitter. This kind of ale would match well with a spicy curry or as an after dinner treat instead of a glass of tawny. At 5.7%ABV in a 330ml can, this is a satisfying sipper instead of a swiller.

WWW.WESTERNRIDGEBREWING.COM

 


REHN BIER // LOVE POTION #1

This palate friendly American Pale Ale from Rehn Bier pours with a big lasting head and a slight haze. It smells of honey, toast and citrusy hops. At 6%ABV it has a rich malty body that’s too easy to drink. Give it the respect it deserves and pour it into a glass to get the most from the hop aromas. The best way to enjoy this beer is to pay the brewer Brenton Rehn a visit on Magnolia Rd in Tanunda and drink a fresh Love Potion #1 at the brewery.

WWW.REHNBIER.COM.AU

 


BAROSSA VALLEY BREWING // INDIAN SUMMER SESSION ALE

This 330ml can contains a smashable 3.5%ABV easy drinking ale. It pours with a slight haze and is fairly light in colour with aromas of light malt and a waft of citrus and spice from the hops. Although the hops add a nice flavour, it’s not a hop monster by any means, so it won’t overwhelm the palate. A great beer to enjoy before food. This beer would be a great refresher when cooking a BBQ and keeping thirst at bay.

WWW.BVBEER.COM.AU

 


 

MINISTRY OF BEER // RASPBERRY BERLINER WEISSE

Berliner Weisse is a long forgotten style that is thankfully making a comeback in Australia, and Ministry of Beer are doing a brilliant job with theirs. It’s a lower alcohol (4.2%ABV) wheat beer with natural lactic sourness. It’s tart, like Chèvre or a good dill pickle. The natural tang combined with bright tart raspberries creates a great looking and very thirst quenching beer. It looks and smells amazing and is the perfect aperitif before a big Christmas lunch. This has to be the most refreshing beer on the market and absolutely brilliant on a stinking hot day.

WWW.MINISTRYOFBEER.COM.AU

 



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