THERE'S nothing better than sitting back in summer and relaxing over a nice cold ale.
The trouble is that there is an ever-increasing range of "summer" beers coming on to the market to confuse discerning beer buyers.
Brewer Matilda Bay has joined the fray with its latest offering, Minimum Chips Golden Lager.
Now I'm not a fan of brews being labelled as "summer beers" - what difference does it make?
If a beer is good enough, it should be enjoyed year-round, shouldn't it?
Minimum Chips personifies summer with a clear, golden appearance with a tight white head.
The dominant fragrance is hops but there is a slight floral/citrus note (but don't worry if you don't get it).
This is certainly a thirst quencher, being clean and crisp across the palate with a bit of character in the initial taste and there's a hint of quasi-pale ale fruitiness but this isn't pronounced.
Some might even liken this to a pilsner.
It doesn't sit heavily in the gut but is a touch heavier than some other "summer beers" and full strength at 4.7 per cent.
What this lager does have is a good degree of bitterness in the aftertaste which makes it a very social beer with great sessionability.
As you might expect from the name, this is well suited for seafood (fish and chips), light salads or light Asian dishes.
This is a good party beer with just enough to set it aside from the rabble.
Given the pedigree of where Minimum Chips comes from, it isn’t up to the same standard that some of the other Matilda Bay brews enjoy.
MY TIP
Serve this up nice and cold and at $16 per 345ml six pack, it's bound to be seen out and about this summer.