Coopers Clear - Low Carb

Style: Low carbohydrate style
Price: $38 for a 24 pack carton
Size: 355ml
Alc/Vol: 4.5%
Date: 24/01/2010
Reason for purchase: Coopers release new beer, I purchase new beer. Simple really.

Review: Well poor Coopers has had to play with the big boys, and just last week they threw their hat in the ring with their low carb option. I've never been a fan of the pure blonde or similar offerings, with similar reasons to why I don't drink light beer. To me it's simple: you either drink beer to enjoy it, or you drink low carb / low alc options as a compromise. Beer shouldn't be about compromise!

Well my rant aside, this beer pours clear, as its name suggests. The initial taste is crisp and carbonated but there isn't any real burst of flavour that you would normally expect from a Coopers beer. Something I'm a bit disappointed about really.

As you go back for another sip you wish there was something else to keep you going back, but unfortunately there isn't much going for it. Whilst I have must respect for the brewers at Coopers, I must say all this beer tells me is they must hide all their flavour in the form of carbohydrates. As an all malt beer, perhaps they needed to add a hint of something else to open it up a touch.

I have tried Coopers previous new kid on the block, the 62 Pilsner, last year. Perhaps I'll need to review that one again and redeem my fondness of Coopers once more. At least the Vintage Ale has pride of place in the liquor cabinet at home, until I drink all of it of course.

Unless you're watching your weight and have to drink a compromised beer, this one is not recommended.

Rating: 6/10 -DF-

Miller Chill - Chellada style lager

Style: Chellada style lager
Price: $48 for a 24 pack carton
Size: 330ml
Alc/Vol: 5.6%
Date: 16/12/2009
Reason for purchase: summer beer time!

Review: I recall a couple of years ago buying a 6 pack of this, and recent hot weather prompted me look into this interesting summer beer again.

Being American it is very mild, to say the least. You really do get the sense you're drinking soda water with this beer, which for some people might sound terrible. However if you're in the mood for something light, summery and refreshing, I think this beer can be a winner.

It's light flavour is matched with a slight limey tang, as is the chellada style. Think of it as a Sol or Corona with its lime wedge on display.

I would put this beer in similar light to Barefoot Radler (for the benefit of those who have tried that), and is definately a summer hit when you've had enough of the gin and tonic.

If you're a big malty, hoppy fan, you probably won't be impressed. As I said, it's not for everyone but I have enjoyed it this summer.

Rating: 7/10 -DF-

Knappstein Reserve Lager

Style: Bavarian Lager

Price: $15 for a 4 pack.

Size: 330ml

Alc/Vol: 5.6%

Right, I've finally gotten around to buying something a bit different to sample. The bloke in the bottle shop reckoned this beer was great. I'll assume, at $15 for a four pack, that it's because he's getting a commision when he moves some units.

Having a sniff after popping the top I'd have to say this is the winiest smelling beer I've ever encountered. Might be a good beer for the wine lovers to try.

Not overly bubbly, really fruity, not too bitter. The fruity floral hoppyness lingers for a bit. The Sauvin hops used in this are similar to the Saaz hops that seem to be in every second craft beer and mircobrew these days. If you like the Saaz you'll like this.

This could be a good beer to have with a meal, but for a session beer I think the hops would become cloying after three or four.

The second one is about the same, but I'm getting bored with the hops already. At this price one of these is enough. Something different to sample with some nibbles or a meal before you get stuck in to some serious drinking beer. Worth a try, especially if you like the Saaz hops, but not a beer for a big night.