Chris Shanahan: Beer review — Weihenstephaner & Orval

Weihenstephaner Tradition Bayrisch Dunkel 500ml $5.99
Despite its 5.2 per cent alcohol and dark colour, there’s nothing heavy about this Bavarian ale from the ancient Weihenstephan Brewery. It’s a rich, smooth, beautifully balanced beer offering sweet malt as its keynote with absolutely harmonious bitterness drying out the finish. I’ll have another glass please, this is delicious.

Orval Trappist Ale 300m $8.49
This is a Belgian classic for the adventurous. It’s tremendously lively, with a luxurious foam, sweet, fresh, enticing aroma and strikingly tangy palate. It has the bite of acid, the flavour of wheat beer and an idiosyncratic bitter/sour, lingering aftertaste with distinct and exotic feijoa-like note.