Bulmers Ginger Apple Cider 500ml $6.50
Bulmers say their new brew contains fermented ginger. Certainly ginger dominates the aroma and flavour – and even provides a little ginger heat in the aftertaste. The apple flavour, however, disappears beneath the ginger, leaving the impression more of ginger beer than cider, complete with a cloying, sweet aftertaste.
2 Brothers Taxi Pilsner 330ml $4.90
The website claims a silver medal for 2 Brothers Pilsner at the Australian International Beer Awards 2008, but the Schloss Shanahan bottle doesn’t rate as highly. As a German-style pilsner it’s a bit plump, lacking the tightness and bitterness of hops. I suspect the bottle’s a little old even though purchased retail only recently.
Copyright © Chris Shanahan 2012
First published 7 November 2012 in The Canberra Times