THERE’S a steady influx of ‘flavoured’ beers coming on to the market and while the purists will frown at these beers, there is no denying their popularity, especially among the younger set.
The latest to emerge in Australia comes from the Carlton Dry family with Dry Fusion Lemon.
This joins stablemates Carlton Dry and Dry Fusion Lime and this beer is infused with lemon as the name suggests.
I have been known to add a slice of lemon to certain beers on a hot day and this Carlton drop simply does away with having to cut the lemon up into wedges and then stuff it in the bottle.
It mightn’t look as trendy but it does quench the thirst.
The ‘flavoured’ beer market is part of a global trend – the beer answer to ’alcopops’ and is attracting new drinkers who previously would have shied away from beer.
The lemon flavour is quite subtle but still distinctive.
You can pick it up in the bouquet but it isn’t overpowering, likewise there is a hint of it in the aftertaste but unlike some other brews which use lemon elements in the fermentation that lemon flavour doesn’t linger too long in the mouth.
This isn’t a ‘heavy’ beer in the gut nor is it too sweet.
This is a very ‘socialable’ beer – good to have at a party or to have nice and cold for mates at the end of a day slaving away under the sun.
At 4.2 percent, it is classed as full strength.
This is a beer which will appeal to the casual beer drinker, females who don’t like a bold beer flavoured drop or anyone just looking for something different to drink at a barbeque or party.
This is a beer which goes well with a wide variety of dishes, especially Asian foods because it can be a good ‘cleanser’ beer.
However it would also be at home at the humble barbie.
If you are a beer purist, you might be disappointed though I have some friends who have tucked into the Fusion and found it has great "sessionability".
MY TIP
Carlton Dry Fusion is definitely a beer which needs to be served cold, it not chilled. I would consider this a good party beer and with a distinctive bright yellow label, you’ll know which is yours in the communal esky! Perhaps better suited to those who are after a fresh, clean, refreshing beer, Dry Fusion Lemon retails for around $16 for a six pack of 355ml stubbies.