BEING a responsible beer drinker can often leave you short of options and despite there being a host of mid strength or ‘gold’ beers on the market, finding a good one can be a challenge.
From across the Tasman comes Mac’s Gold Malt Lager in a very distinctive bottle to try and muscle in on the Aussie market.
This beer is slightly higher than regular mid strengths at 3.8 percent and was surprising in taste when it came to the name – malt lager.
Aroma-wise, there is the distinctive malt bouquet but when it comes to the first mouthful, you are bombarded with malt flavours, it’s far more subtle than that.
In fact I found it took a couple of mouthfuls to pick up on the malt flavours which are masked by hints of sweetness which are part of the Mac’s brewing process.
It is a light beer across the palate and definitely doesn’t sit heavily in the gut as you would expect from a mid strength beer.
The flavour isn’t overpowering which means that Mac’s Gold would find plenty of appeal in the casual beer drinker, looking for a something to quench the thirst.
Being ‘light’ in nature, this is a beer which you could easily throw a few down without missing a beat (eh bro?).
Mind you, mids are designed so that you can enjoy a few without blowing the bag but just be aware this has a slightly higher alcohol content and despite it being light in flavour, it could creep up on you.
It would make a good accompaniment for seafood dishes, especially fresh seafood or white meat dishes like chicken Caesar salads or some of your lighter Mediterranean dishes.
If you enjoy a more robust flavoured beer, you might find Mac’s a bit wanting but if you are after something a little bit different, Mac’s Gold Malt Lager in the unique ribbed ‘old style’ bottles with the ring pull tops is worth a go.
MY TIP
Make sure you get this drop nice a cold and make sure there’s more than one in the fridge because you’ll find yourself on the second before you know it. It’s a great lunch time beer or early evening drop and should find favour with those who enjoy a lighter style of beer. At around $16 a six pack of 330ml stubbies, it might be a bit price but it is coming from ‘across the ditch’.