Friday, February 17, 2017

It's All About the Beer, Buddy!

G'day all! 
Welcome back! Thanks for coming back, and if you are a new reader of this blog, thanks for being here for your first time!

Ladies and gentlemen, the interviews keep coming! But before I go onto the next bunch of interviews, it's time for me to have a look at another beer. Beer number 7 (lucky 7!) and it's a great beer, and hopefully you think this too. It's an Australian favourite.

#7. Carlton United Breweries - Carlton Draught - 4.6%


I'll be totally honest with you - I really didn't like Carlton Draught when I first had it. I actually preferred Carlton Midstrength! Yeah, I know - it's a mid strength beer, but I just love the taste. But then I went from cans to stubbies, and the taste changed dramatically. A true example that some beers are actually better in glass.

Carlton United Breweries weren't one of my favourite breweries either. It goes back to when I was younger, when the AFL was just the VFL. And all our great WA Footy players were being pinched to play interstate - Barry Cable, Stephen Michael, Graham Moss and the like. And I really didn't like VFL when I was a kid. The WAFL was the league for me, and my dad (RIP), played a few times for the Claremont Tigers. I was originally a East Fremantle fan, as I grew up on Marmion St in East Fremantle, until my parents got divorced, and I moved to Kardinya. I really didn't like the VFL, and the main sponsor that was shown over and over and over again WAS Carlton United Breweries, and the miserable Victoria Bitter ads that used to play during the breaks.

So I had this angst towards CUB, and that made me steer clear away from their beers until I really started liking beer. I remember seeing the Clydesdale's on their packages, and used to then ask for another beer! One day I was at a party and decided to give it a go. I didn't really think much of it, really. I also realise now in hindsight, I wasn't really drinking for the taste, was I?!

So, here I am now, with a more mature palate. I was at a gathering of friends a few years back, and this was the only beer on offer. I said "stuff it" and began to drink in earnest, as it was a stiflingly hot day, and I had been working all day in the sun, if I remember correctly.

Anyway, I wrapped my laughing gear around it. I remember thinking "Wow... this is got a great taste...". But you gotta remember, a lot of beers, in fact MOST beers taste great after a long hot day, no matter what you do, and that is one of the reasons Aussies drink so much beer! Each bottle after that had the same effect - the taste was wonderful, the feel was glorious and the need for another one was instantaneous!

On the CUB website, it brings together the pub, mate-ship, and of course, our sacred Australian sport, The AFL. Carlton Draught is a major sponsor of the sport, and I am happy to say that they have done very well to market the stuff...

Do you remember these?


"MADE FROM BEER" - funny ad.


This ad, with the thousand odd blokes running around in colours, to make a massive moving picture of a person drinking Carlton Draught. Gotta say - definitely one of my most favourite TV ads ever. Genius. And it's not Guinness.


This ad, with the four blokes being chased on foot, was original. And I just loved the way they didn't waste a drop. I just wonder if was real beer in the glasses! Probably not. But you do have to wonder...

 
And look at this gorgeous hunk of man - he must be a Victorian! lol
Yes - but another fantastic ad, once again.

So, let's just open up a stubby now and see how I go...

It IS very refreshing. It is crisp, and clean. The colour is hindered by the bottle, but if you've had it in a glass, it's a lovely tint. I am having it directly from a stubby. The cans - well - I don't think they do the beer justice. I think if you drink this beer in a can, you'll have a different opinion.

It feels good in your mouth, it feels good going down. It's slightly over aerated in my opinion, but you don't really care about it when you've just been at work for the past 10 hours.

The aroma - it's a real Aussie beer aroma. Not too powerful, but the smell just makes you want to put it to your lips quick-smart. I had to taste it straight from the stubby, and that's what a beer should do - make you want to neck it down immediately.

The pour - the pour is deliciously golden and the head is good. It can sometimes give an unpleasant head if you don't pour it well. But that's just a small downer.

It does taste good. It actually tastes bloody good. And I can drink this til the cows come home. This is definitely a beer that I would suggest to mates, and let my overseas buddies take a swig of. I may even send them a case if their lucky! And the best thing is, you can have it with any type of food. I love it with curries and BBQ's, which is probably where all you readers have this amber fluid! It's a good choice for parties and gatherings, and it's definitely the beer that you have at the footy!

OK - Now to the VERDICT!

Sight - 8 - I like the colour, I like the pour. It looks good in a glass, and it's attractive
Smell - 8 - I like this smell. It's the smell of REAL beer. I know there are a lot of beers you can say exactly the same thing, but this is just great.
Taste - 7.5 - Like I said, I do like it. I can drink this a lot. It bubbles on your tongue a bit, but that's OK by me
Feel - 7 - as above, the aeration may be touch high for some. Definitely not watery or thick. Just right.
Aftertaste - 8 - this is the aftertaste that I'm really after. It makes you think you've just had a beer. It lingers in your mouth for just the right amount of time, which just makes you want another!
Pleasure - 9 - after years and years of saying no - I say yes!
Ability - 9 - A great seller - thanks not only to the taste, but to the way it's been marketed, and it's branding across the country as a major sponsor of the AFL.
Encore - 9 - Yep, pass me another
Reputable - 9 - It's everywhere, and heaps of people love the stuff
Purchase - 9 - I would buy this beer for myself, for mates, for a party, for a gathering, for watching the game, and even for just having a beer. It's very easy to drink, and you CAN drink a lot.

Verdict - I give Carlton Draught 8 of out 10!

Hat's off to CUB. They have made a great beer, and have made a sports loving culture mad about it. Well done lads. Keep up the good work!

Next post!

I will be continuing with the interviews! Come back soon, as you may be one of them!

Cheers! AND DRINK ON!

BEER BUDDY

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