IF there is one thing to be said about the Australian beer market, it is innovative.There’s no stopping brewers coming up with newbeers or newangles to try to tap into a piece of the action.
The latest beer pioneering a new niche section is Burragumbilli Organic Lager.
Yes, I can hear you ask, "What’s an organic lager?" And that’s precisely why this beer will be sought-after.
In keeping with all things organic, Burragumbilli is brewed from natural ingredients, free of artificial additives and containing no sugars or preservatives.
This is part of a growing trend among Australian brewers, large and small, but few are actually certified organic.
So what does that mean for taste? This is a most important question.
I can truthfully say Burragum is a clean, crisp lager that is light across the palate, with just a hint of bitterness in the aftertaste.
While not a robust beer, it does have a certain quality that brings you back.
Being light in nature, but not in alcohol content, means you could find yourself enjoying quite a few.
It is a refreshing beer, suited to the warmer months, and lends itself to lunches or precursors to dinner.
It has a more-ish quality and at four per cent alcohol sits between midstrength and full-strength, again making it a good spring or summer beer.
This would go well with seafood, Mediterranean dishes, salads and some Asian foods.
No doubt it will be in demand in trendy restaurants and cafes, and I can see this becoming the beer of choice in those niche markets.
It is definitely worth trying.
MY TIP
THIS is a lighter-style beer that needs to be served cold but not chilled. It’s a social beer, making it ideal as an accompaniment to meals or just relaxing at the end of the day. At four per cent, it’s stronger than mids but doesn’t pack that much of a punch. Made from natural ingredients, this could be claimed to be a "health beer". I think it would find favour with those who enjoy refreshment without a strong bitter or hop/malt taste. At about $18 per 330ml six-pack, it is at the upper end of the premium market but the curiosity factor means you should give it a go. While limited in distribution at the moment, you could find this lager or to make an order by visiting www.burragumbilli.com