G’day cunts and cuntesses, shrimp on the barbie and all that. This week's booze reviews is Great Northerns, the official beer of drink driving to K’gari in your old man's ex mine 70 series landcruiser. But it's okay, ‘cos it’s not like driving on the beach at low tide counts as a real road.
As is standard with stuff from our mates across the ditch, Great Northerns are pretty much just a poor imitation of the New Zealand version. They taste a lot like if you mixed a Gold Medal Ale, a Summit and a little bit of water which, whilst incredibly pleasant, was a little bit lacking in the ABV department. The alcohol felt borderline flushed away, but somehow it’s the same strength as a Summit – its closest comparison, I’d argue.
Although it tastes a bit watery, the larger can does allo & w for more efficient funnels (big tick from me). It’s deceptively burp-inducing, mind you, and if you don't wait long enough you can end up with one of those horrifically wet ones when you feel like you may have a bit of a chunny. While lacking in the flavour department, Great Northerns are actually a shockingly good beer, being able to walk the line between being a Friday arvo sipper and a punch-on-and-get-it-done beer.
Unfortunately, I can also confirm that it is possibly the most pleasant beer I've ever had come back out the way it came, as following a 6-pack and various other beverages (beer before liquor, never sicker) it did the closest thing it could to closing the door on its way out that a beer could. Big ups to those mad bastard Queenslanders for working out how to do that.
Tasting notes: Normal beer, but less
Pairs well with: Nosebleed section by Hilltop Hoods, sleeping on a beach around a bonfire
Scullability: 10/10
Hangoverness: 5/10