Beer of the Week - Victoria Bitter

When I saw this on the shelf of the LCBO, I was excited as another Australian beer was making a presence in Ontario.

Victoria Bitter is brewed by Carlton & United Beverages, a subsidiary of Foster's Group.

For 20 years, this has been the biggest selling beer in Australia and sells more than twice as much as any other beer there. The can and bottle in Australia has only a big VB on the label. Over the years the VB has come to be called "Vic Bitter", "Very Best", "Vitamin B", "Veebs" and "Victory Beer" for after a win in the footy (personal note: Go, Collingwood Magpies!).

In Australia, it can be bought in 375ml cans known as "tinnies", short necked 375ml bottles or "stubbies", 750ml bottles called "Long Necks", "King Browns" or "Tallies"

I was disappointed to discover that the VB I am tasting today is not the VB they drink in the land downunder. Instead it is brewed under license in Canada by Molson Coors, for distribution in Canada and the U.S.

And the beer?

It pours golden with a good white head. The head was quick to fade. There are some lacings that line the glass but not many.

There is a faint hoppy taste to it but not much. A touch of bitter on the finish but again, only a touch. This is more of a big brewery style of beer. There really is not much to it. It definitely is not a bitter. I've had many bitters and this is not a bitter. Unknown whether it is really an ale or lager.

I don't really care as I will not be buying this one again.

Beer of the Week - Feb 14 - Cooper's Sparkling Ale

375 mL bottle
Price: $ 2.30
5.8% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : 2

Made in: South Australia
By: Coopers Brewery Ltd

LCBO Tasting Note: Deep amber, rich head, some yeast sediment; roasted malt, citrus, fruity hops on the nose; clean, rich full flavour, malty, crisp hoppy finish.

It's Valentines weekend and one usually thinks of flowers, chocolate and something sparkling to share with your loved one. For most, something sparkling means Champagne or a nice Sparkling wine. I do love both; however when I saw Cooper's Sparkling Ale from Australia in the cold section of the LCBO, I just had to give it a try.

I had never heard of a sparkling ale before and didn't know what to expect. Beer creates bubbles of carbon dioxide which float to the top and remain to create a head, which isn't really sparkling. Sparkling to me is where the bubbles explode on the surface giving off aroma and a visual playfulness. This makes the drink fun.

Is this what I should expect from a beer??

Coopers Brewing in located just outside of Adelaide in Australia. In the mid-1800s, Thomas Cooper, a stonemason by trade, was asked by his wife to brew up a batch of ale from an old family recipe to be used as a tonic. Seemed folks really enjoyed this "tonic" and, in 1862, Cooper left his job as a stonemason and opened the brewery.

After five generations, the brewery is still family-owned and the only privately-owned brewery left from the 19th century. The owners claim that they use the same recipe as the original but produced using modern equipment. It is all natural, no preservatives and bottle conditioned for naturally produced carbonation, as it would have been back in 1862.

Interesting too is that I have never before heard of a brewery that sold home brewing kits. Usually they just push their own finished product, but Coopers ships their home brewing kits all over the world. For about $18 CAD, you can make six gallons of Coopers Brewery Beer right in the safety and comfort of your own home. There are 16 different beers, ales and stouts to choose from.

We live in a small condo so I am satisfied in trying the finished product. So you ask, what about the finished product?

Due to the yeast sediment, the ale pours with a slightly cloudy, light golden colour. The head forms but bubbles away rapidly. Despite it's 5.8% alcohol, it is surprisingly light and clean tasting, with some bitterness throughout. Much lighter tasting than I prefer. It finishes cleanly with a slight hoppy aftertaste.

It would be pleasant and refreshing to have on a hot summer afternoon but there are many more refreshing beers or ales I would have before this one.

As for romance, I would stick with Champagne or a nice sparkling wine.