Barons Brewing of Sydney recently relaunched two beers seasoned with native Australian ingredients – Lemon Myrtle Witbier and Blackwattle Original Ale.
The beers are part of Barons varied portfolio that includes a lager, pale ale and extra special bitter. Barons also distributes other brands, including Belgian lager, 88 Balls, Czech lager, Bakalar and Australian brews, Razorback Red Ale and Charlotte’s Hefeweizen.
Baron’s introduced Blackwattle Original Ale back in 2005 and the Lemon Myrtle Witbier in 2008. As the names suggest, they’re seasoned with lemon myrtle and roasted black wattle seed. They claim to be the only brewery using native ingredients. Perhaps they are now. I don’t know. But in 2008 Chuck Hahn released a one-off winter ale, seasoned with native pepperberries.
Where Hahn’s beer was a potent, idiosyncratic style to either love or hate, Baron’s two brews flow like water – so watch out.
Barons Black Wattle Original Ale 330ml 6-pack $20
This dark amber brew weighs in at 5.8 per cent alcohol. The alcohol boosts the opulent malt flavour, giving the palate great warmth and appeal. The dominant flavours are caramel and golden syrup-like with a touch of roasted grain (this may be the wattle seed) and mildly bitter, balanced finish.
Barons Lemon Myrtle Witbier 330ml 6-pack $20
Modelled on Belgian wheat beer styles, like Hoegaarden, Barons is a particularly brisk ale with wheat beer’s natural high acidity, light body and smooth texture. A distinct and pleasant lemony note adds to the beer’s zest and freshness. It’s bottle conditioned and therefore cloudy.
Copyright © Chris Shanahan 2011
First published in The Canberra Times 6 July 2011