Chris Shanahan: Lion to include nutritional info on beer labels

What’s in your beer

If you’re confused about what goes into beer, you’re not alone. Galaxy research, cited by Lion as it announced plans to include nutritional labelling on its Australian beers, found that “87 per cent of Aussies don’t know what goes into beer”.

Lion said that from August it will begin putting the information panels on its “wholly-owned Australian beer portfolio – meaning 887 million bottles of beer will carry helpful information on sugar, preservative, calorie (kilojoule) and carbohydrate content every year”.

The rollout will begin on Lion’s biggest brands, including XXXX, Tooheys, Hahn and James Squire, before spreading out across the entire portfolio.

Lion says the new labelling will be part of a broader public education campaign on beer facts and myths. There have been growing calls from some quarters in Europe, the US and Australia to include nutritional information on alcohol labelling.

Reviews

Sünner Kölsch 500ml $5.90
Kölsch, one of Germany’s classic beer styles, made only in Köln, is pale-lemon -coloured ale that’s been cold cellared, like a lager. Not surprisingly, it straddles the style border between lager and ale, with ale-like, rich, fruity palate and lager-like briskness. Sunner is a vibrant, fresh, easy drinking but complex example of the style.

Cavalier Courage 330ml $4.90
The website describes Cavalier Courage as an Australia blonde ale “developed to help raise awareness of and funds for research into motor neuron disease”. Every bottle sold generates $1 for the cause. Exuberant hopping matches the flamboyant head. The lively palate offers gentle malt character and an assertive hoppy bitterness.