Columns

Taste: 7/10,
Percentage: 5%,
Price: 12-pack, $23.99 on special (RRP: 26.99),
Standards per vessel: 1.3

First produced during the summer of 1998, and re-released in batch form every summer since, Monteith’s Brewing Company refers to this particular brew as “a fresh, bright and lively beer made with lightly kilned malt and a touch of rata honey.” The use of a single, spicier variety of hops during the brewing process results in Summer Ale’s unique flavour, an almost ginger-like sensation on the palate.

This little golden marvel is best enjoyed ice cold. A very satisfying thirst-quencher, one can add a wedge of orange to the neck if feeling particularly zesty or adventurous. I must admit I would usually prefer a more boring and conventional beer. However like a UniCol girl at a sausage festival, Monteith’s Summer Ale is fittingly comfortable and content at the great Kiwi BBQ. I was fortunate enough to be given a 12-box of this beer for my 21st birthday and I have found that it compliments seafood and sunshine in a fucking marvellous manner. Perfect with a lovely fresh summer feed of scallops and crays.

While this beer is a little pricey to have any chance of becoming a regular feature on the drinking schedule of the garden-variety piss-swilling scarfie, a box could be considered a wise investment for the (hopefully) sunny summer days to come. A fitting addition to any upstanding member of the student body’s stomach; an ale to savour, along with the warmth, before we all begin to freeze our nuts or ovaries off again in this sub-Antarctic alcoholics’ Amsterdam we choose to call home.

At 5%, a box of these bad boys will get you decently ripped, but I’d frugally recommend a more economically-minded choice for your regular nights on the piss. At $25 a box even a conservative Thursday/Saturday combo will suck up close to a third of your Studylink income each week.

All in all, a quiet and subdued beer to make you feel that little bit classier, more refined and, of course, refreshed. Cheers to Superliquor Cumberland for the hook up.