What are you drinking ?

[jt]

Ok, so What Are You Brewing was a hotty, as topics go.

Now I'm 15 pints into a keg I only filled on Tuesday and wondering if anyone else has a favourite at the moment ?

It's my second brown with US-Oh05 and it's better than the forst, maybe Ikept the temps down a bit during the scorcher we had in januray

[Stu McKinlay]

the Motueka Bitter wasn't "Eis'd" so it was just a 4% bitter.

[MrC]

Just purchased a 750ml bottle of Coopers Sparkling Ale. The last Coopers beer I had was about two years ago and I'm yet to taste the Sparkling Ale. I guess Bambule's persistent subliminal messages must have worn me down :-)

[jt]

two for $7 odd at Wallies ?

I F I N A L L Y bought some Coopers Mr C and I must say I was quite disapointed.

I brewed Coopers kit for years, sometimes badly and sometimes better than badly.
but the Pale Ale was not far removed from my kits - maybe I just need to recategorise my kit brewing experience ?

[Matthew]

I had a similar experience a month or so ago. The pale ale started 'ok', then it was all down hill from there. I think I even tipped the last 3rd and it's not very often I do that.

[Matthew]

Actually, check the date on the bottle. If I recall, mine was a couple of months past it's best. A woolies purchase too...

[Steph]

Interestingly, the date on the bottle is a "best after" date; I think because they are bottle conditioned. BUT, I agree, the sparkling has not been tasting its best lately. I had bought some for work and ended up taking a six pack back,

[jt]

"best after"

Yes, I noticed it and wondered if there was an optimum drinking period after that

[jt]

The pale ale started 'ok'

nah, it was like a bad Draught kit from the start. Bottle was stamped best after Sept 09

And to think I have spent several years admiring the ockers for their almost iconic coopers

Should I go back for the sparkling ale or not ?

[Bambule]

Mr Cherry, well done, and don't listen to this heretic jt ;) I admit Coopers isn't everyones cup of tea, especially in the predominantly hop driven craft beer market we live in, in Nz. However, take it for what it is, it's unique if nothing else. At its best it can be one of the most thirst quenching beers, with a lot of funky yeast character (like a rusty Datsun I think Joking said), its one of those beers that make you sad when you see the bottle empty, generally on a 42 deg Adelaide day.

The thing I loved about Adelaide, in stark contrast to the rest of Australia and NZ is that this was the stock beer you got in your average bar, as opposed to VB, XXXX, Lion Red, Tui and DB. Against that line up I think i think it stacks up well.

[jt]

and don't listen to this heretic jt ;)

reckon I'm heading back to Willies tomorrow to pick up a coupla kits then

Could try the second bottle, but to acheive a 42 deg Adelaide day here in Welly I'd need winter wollies and the heater on

[Bambule]

Yeah we're at a a disadvantage climatically. But do try the Sparkling ale, its got loads more character then the pale ale.

[jt]

Yeah, maybe I should qualify my comments.

When I was brewing Coopers my favourite commercial alternatives were whatever Aussie slab was cheapest and i though the Coopers HB was gold.

If you drink it and appreciate it for what it is, then you've got to love it.

I guess I've looked at the Aussie HB'ers trying to emulate and clone this beer - check the beer icons thread from a year ago - and thought it must be something special