Chris Shanahan: Beer review — Byron Bay and Budejovicky Budvar

Byron Bay Premium Ale 330ml $3.49
The website’s sparse on info, but we do learn that it’s contract brewed and named after Byron Bay if not physically connected to it. It’s an attractive, light-golden ale featuring rich malt and a zesty, refreshing finish. It gives balanced, easy drinking but not complexity. See wwwbyronbaybrewery.com.au

Budejovicky Budvar Lager $3.99
This is the original ‘Bud’ from the Czech Republic. It’s a richly flavoured, deep golden lager with an assertive, lingering, drying hops bitterness. But even with a ‘best before’ date of September 2009, my bottle tasted a little tired – still enjoyable but without the vibrant fresh edge that beer should have.