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| My #1 go to beer! |
It has been a long time coming but now I’ve got to my #1 go
to beer.
I met a Japanese person visiting Launceston for the day
yesterday and they were now hooked on Boag’s Draught, it was a sign that I
should get this post done.
I want to tell you what I know and love about this local
treasure.
The Facts:
If you drive from Launceston to Hobart you can see brewery
sponsored signs, the north side have Boag’s the south side have Cascade. What I
think is funny about the divide of two breweries on one island state is that I
can name a few bars in Hobart that have Boag’s on tap rather than their local
product.
Boag’s Draught is the most ubiquitous of the Boag’s
products, found in many shapes and sizes, cans, stubbies, long necks and even
kegs =) It is virtually a crime in Tasmania for a pub not to have Boag’s on tap
(Craft beer bars excluded of course). It’s green label design makes it easy to
spot in fridges and bottle shop cool rooms.
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| This is a long neck 750mls of pure awesome |
Tasmania loves to brag about its clean water, one of the
fine products that go into Boag’s Draught. Pride and passion are also added to
the brewing process, the full-bodied lager with a smooth hop bitterness is
crisp and refreshing, perfect for drinking in large quantities.
The pure waters of Tasmania:
Boag’s Draught is made in Launceston, northern Tasmania (where
I live). The person on the logo associated with the beer is St. George, a great
Roman dragon slayer back in his day who probably also slayed a few beers too.
The brewery has trucks drive around the city with malt in
the back, the distinctive smell is meant to encourage the city to drink beer,
trust me, it works.
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| I still serve. |
Boag’s Tester
Reserve:
In 2006 Boag’s launched an ambitious advertising campaign,
they formed the Boag’s Tester Reserve. Anyone old enough could sign up to be a
member, they would receive a set of dog tags (I still cherish mine) and go out
and test Boag’s Draught as often as they could. I had just come of legal
drinking age around that time but I was captivated by the ads on TV and the
games on their website. With great regret (for legal reasons I believe) the
campaign suddenly ended. I won’t ever forget the beer wars of 2006-7 So many
brews were consumed…
They haven’t always
kept me happy:
The current label is not the best they have come up with, I
preferred the last one, something about the colour and the design was better. I
understand they changed it because they didn’t want St. George to be left
handed (I am a leftie).
Boag’s Draught has suffered like many other beers by a
change in recipe to lower the cost several years ago. I witnessed it first hand
when locals who drink more draught than water suddenly had to adjust to a
different product.
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| This was my favourite design |
Boag’s Draught today:
Now called James Boag’s Draught, the beer is now 99.9% sugar
free on average, a recent initiative by Boag’s and their affiliates to promote
healthier beer drinking. Cans are now available in a 30 block in order to
compete with VB.
I’ll leave you with the Tester Reserve motto,
I hope you can enjoy a Boag’s Draught or two soon,
Cheers,
Dave
Tester Reserve motto:
Duty: I am duty bound
to maintain the fine quality of Boag's Draught by testing it regularly.
Respect: I must always
respect the full-flavoured Boag's Draught taste and the master brewers responsible
for it.
Self-Sacrifice: I
shall never say no to making a bottleshop run, no matter how far it is, or what
time of day.
Courage: I will
unflinchingly face up to any bouncer, bitchy barmaid or whining girlfriend who
tries to stop me testing Boag's Draught
Loyalty: I pledge to
test Boag's Draught and only Boag's Draught as long as I have breath in my
body.
This Queensland staple has risen up to become one of Australia’s most popular
beers.
A mid strength lager and low carb beer, it has become a
sponsor of many major events and in 2012 the company even bought a three-year
lease for an island and named it XXXX Island.
