Crown Ambassador Reserve Lager

THERE’S a growing number of boutique beers on the market which are designed to be put away for a special occasion.

The trouble with such brews is deciding when is an appropriate special occasion.

Recently, it was drawn to my attention that there is a drop out there – Crown Ambassador Reserve Lager – which is termed as a vintage luxury beer. At $69.99 per 750ml bottle it is definitely a luxury purchase.

This is a strictly limited release, with only 6000 individually numbered bottles coming onto the market, which presents beer lovers with a tough decision – to drink or not to drink.

Speaking from experience, I have limited releases to be very tricky little numbers because usually buying one means you have to buy two – one to try and one to put away for up to 10 years according to the brewer.

While I haven’t had the privileged of taste it (yet), the tasting notes describe the Crown Ambassador Reserve 2009 as having has a vibrant fresh fruit aroma, with a hint of honey and passionfruit.

As you might expect from limited releases, the finish reflects the quality of the beer and the use of Galaxy hops almost guarantees a fruity, floral flavour.

There is a use of caramelised malts to add to the rich full flavour and we are assured that as the beer sits in the glass, it warms to room temperature and continues to evolve as it ‘opens’, bringing out more of the rich malty honey undertones and hop notes.

Sounds too good to be true doesn’t it.

Look to say all this about the brew is simply a ‘beer tease’ so what’s the answer?

If you area beer collector, buy a couple, sample one and put the others away in the dark spot to either be enjoyed later or sold on eBay.

This is the second year which the Crown Reserve Ambassador Lager has been released and marks a changing of the guard – it’s not just wines that can be put aside and allowed to age and improve (and gain in value).

The first release last year proved to be very popular among beer lovers and collectors all around the country and overseas and this year’s brew is meant to be better.

A bottle has even been sent to the Queen – didn’t know she was a beer aficionado.

It’s is suggested that this lager could be enjoyed with a roast or prime meat cuts but let’s be serious here – I would much rather sit back and savour every drop on its own merits.

All I have to do is win the Powerball and I’ll get a few!

MY TIP

Rarely will you hear beer being endorsed as an ‘investment’ but with limited releases such as the Crown Ambassador Reserve Lager is worth consideration.

Not only will the beer improve with age but being a strictly limited release, its scarcity will help its value appreciate quickly.

If you do get one of the 6000 bottles and decide to try, give me a call please – I’d love to compare notes.

The Crown Ambassador Reserve Lager 2009 comes in a champagne style bottle and has a recommended retail price of $69.99 and is available from August 3.

For more information please visit: www.crownbeverages.com.au or call 1800 007 282 for stockist information.