Beer review — Byron Bay and Emerson’s

Byron Bay Pale Lager 330ml
The brewery is “Located in Skinners Shoot Road in Byron Bay”, declares the less-than-honest back label – omitting a crucial fact: CUB brews Pale Lager elsewhere and under licence. Don’t expect too much from the beer either. It’s a clean, fresh, fault-free quaffer with little to distinguish it from the pack.

Emerson’s London Porter 500ml $8.85
Emerson’s sits on the dark side of porter – black and brooding, its strong roasted-malt aroma reflected on a lively, malt-sweet palate that descends into an ash-dry finish and short-black coffee-like bitterness. It’s a beer for cold nights and hot food – perfect then for Canberra and Dunedin, New Zealand, where it’s made.

Copyright © Chris Shanahan 2013
First published 27 February in The Canberra Times