Beer Cartel Xmas Advent Calendar 2018

I’ve been bragging about it, so I better let you know what’s going on.

This year I chose to go down a different path for the Christmas Countdown, having tried a local carton, an Australian one and one I’ve had made.

This year I chose Beer Cartel, they have a nicely decorated box for the beers and offered a pretty good discount for ordering online early $165 of beers and I paid about $115 – no postage either I don’t think.

Each year their beers are different and there are even tabs for each day, so the others are still a surprise until its time to open them. In the hole for the 24^th there are two cans, one for Christmas eve, the other for Christmas day which means there are 25 beers in this carton.

On top of all that, the Beer Cartel Facebook page each day is promoting which beer is inside – so don’t look until you have opened it already, they have a post with info of the beer and then a video of them drinking it – they are doing my work for me. I was going to drink each beer and update as often as I could but this year, I think I’ll enjoy the beer and share what they have to say.

Apparently, there is a special Christmas beer in here, I’m looking forward to getting to that one.

The carton is currently under the Christmas tree, each morning I get one out and put it in the fridge to enjoy later.

A panel for each day

This would be a good time to point out that ‘Dave’s Beers of the World’ does have a Facebook page – not sure if I ever mentioned that? – with the same name.

Please give it a like because I update it with my new blog posts, share funny beer insights and also keep you updated with what I find out in the world.

In the meantime, its early December and there are Christmas beers soon to be released, happy hunting beer drinkers.

Cheers,

Dave

Christmas is all about Advent Calendars!

World Class Collection 2018

Around this time of the year we start to see mixed packs of beer for sale which make great presents. You can sample a number of different beers in one pack.

One of my favourites has been the around the world pack – someone must have known that because I got one for my birthday.

This one has 12 beers from various parts of the world, from Asia to Europe, the US and of course Australia.

“What’s one of the first things you do when you visit a foreign country? You taste their beer, of course” Around the World Beer Box Passport (2018)

Here is what was inside:

Tiger

Singapore’s addition to the pack, a beer known around the world, smaller bottle at 330mls but stronger at 5%.

Lowenbrau

Germany’s “Lion’s Brew” brewed in Munich, it is one of six beers that can only be served at Oktoberfest which is pretty special – this is a fine example of what is available in Europe.

Molson Canadian

Canada’s flagship beer, as pure as Canada is this smooth beer makes me feel like I want to visit this amazing place and see what else is has to offer, another 5%er.

Chang

Thailand is in the pack with a 5% beer that is meant to pair well with spicy food, a lager at heart.

Coors

This is one of the most popular beers in the United States, I don’t think it’s reputation has quite carried overseas, it reminds me of VB, an iconic beer but is often joked about.

Miller Chill

A weaker beer but with a lime twist, went down way too well, it is low in carbs too so that will help with me trying to lose weight.

Estrella

Brewed in Barcelona since 1876 this beer has some history, they have perfected their brewing methods to produce a fine product to represent Spain.

Dos Equis

Only until recently I learned how to pronounce this properly… apparently it sounds like ‘doseki’ when I was saying something completely different. A refreshing Mexican beer that goes well with tacos and fajitas

Asahi

This is a bit more familiar, a taste of Japan, Asahi is Japan’s #1 selling beer. This pack used to have Sapporo in it as well but that has been replaced, a bit of a shame since Sapporo is close to me (where I used to live anyway).

Hoegaarden

Belgium, you can’t have a world beer pack without a Belgium beer, that would be like making a Star Wars movie and not including R2D2 and C3PO. This beer was first brewed in the 1400’s to survive that long it must be doing something right.

Yenda Crisp

This is Australia’s donation to the pack, I haven’t had much to do with Yenda, it wasn’t a bad beer but I think there are a few other more suited beers that could go in this box.

Vonu

Last of all is Vonu, this is a new introduction to the box and the only one I haven’t had before. A product of Fiji this was a clean and nice tasting beer, made with less gluten and less carbs than most beers, the name means turtle which symbolises peacefulness and longevity.

These beers aren’t in here by accident. They are hand selected by BWS/ Dan Murphy's who use beers that they themselves stock. It even comes with a cool little passport for you to read as you drink your way around the world.

Cheers,

Dave

VB Gold

Well VB has reared its ugly head here again to show its younger brother, VB Gold.

Apparently, people are still drinking this product, so I thought I should share my thoughts with you.

Don’t get me wrong, VB is an iconic Australian beer that has been high in sales for a long time, it’s just not one of my favourites, but when I visit Melbourne, I do have one or two to be part of that ‘when in rome’ type.

VB Gold first up is a mid-strength, right now you would be thinking… wait… isn’t that a bit too close to XXXX Gold… you would be right.

How does VB Gold stack up to XXXX Gold?

XXXX Gold:

Alc %: 3.5

Standard Drinks: 1

Cost: $17.49 (6-pack at Dan Murphy’s)

Tastes like: An acceptable mid strength beer

VB Gold:

Alc %: 3

Standard Drinks: .9

Cost: $16.99 (6-pack at Dan Murphy’s)

Tastes like: VB

The criticism of VB Gold is that CUB dropped the alcohol content without informing its customers (going from 3.5% to 3%) this has enraged the few left that still drink it. Lower alcohol means less tax to pay by the brewery, CUB have done this before with VB and I bet they regretted that decision, after years of backlash they returned to the old recipe.

The choice is yours, if you want to drink a mid-strength then XXXX Gold is at the top of the list for Australian beers, but if you like the taste of VB then go ahead and have a VB Gold.

Cheers,

Dave

(This post is done tongue in cheek, VB is one of those beers that does have a strong following of lovers and not so lovers, it is a beer that is the butt of many jokes and I’m happy to continue that tradition in the interest of healthy beer banter.)

Wakachangi Lager

With all these Australian beers lately, I thought I should venture out a bit.

New Zealand isn’t too far away but I’ve had a good one I want to share.

One on of my many trips to a bottleshop in Tasmania I noticed the packaging of Wakachangi Lagers 6-pack, featuring a scene that looks like its from some crazy kind of movie, a man is holding a lady while trying to fend off a guinea pig? It stood out for me.

The next day I’m on a plane to Melbourne and reading the magazine tucked in the seat and some beer connoisseur recommends this beer.

The signs were starting to fall into place, so when I see one, I get it, I have to try it.

Wakachangi Lager is a nice craft beer that was founded by comedian Leigh Hart, as a bit of a joke there is a comment on the 6-pack and carton saying “With the beast’s razor sharp tusks at his throat, Great Uncle Kenny drew his BBQ mate and slew the rare but ferocious guinea pig, thereby saving his Tinder date (Peru 1936)”

All jokes aside this is a good brew that has fortunately reached Australian shores, check it out and have a laugh while you drink it, you won’t be disappointed.

Cheers,

Dave

The image on the packaging

Frothy

Matilda Bay are well known for their Yak range of beers, I bet this new one will become a staple soon too, Frothy.

In the plainest can of beer I’ve ever seen lies a crafty kind of beer that is quenching thirsts and leaving a frothy moustache.

CUB is behind this ‘simple’ beer to challenge the growing in popularity Furphy (made by Lion), time will tell if it stacks up against it.

Using local ingredients this ‘session ale’ has everything good going for it, at 4.2% it is a little weaker than standard beers – which is where session beers help you drink more.

I’ve had one so far and it was nice.

It's on tap too!

I suggest you have a session of frothy’s for yourself and see what you think.

Cheers,

Dave

Crown Lager Summer Reserve

Crown are once again experimenting with a different flavour, this time releasing a ‘Summer Reserve’ called Crown Pale Lager.

Crown was originally brewed by CUB to commemorate the arrival of the Queen to Australia, I thought it was fitting that they release this beer on my latest trip to Victoria.

At 4.6% it is well rounded and comes in the classic Crown Lager shaped bottle, the label is a nice shade of blue.

I like getting Crowns to celebrate something, this one on first taste had all the hallmarks of Crown, it had a clean malt flavour and went down well.

While doing my research I couldn’t find many positive reviews about it which is unfortunate, most people commenting it lacked flavour.

It is a limited release and I think a good idea from CUB, I suggest you get one before they disappear.

Cheers,

Dave