Columns

Taste: 8/10
Price: 12 for $20 (on special)
Percentage: 5%

As winter creeps in the ease with which a cold beer can be consumed increases noticeably. With many Scarfie flats dipping below the temperature of the fridges in them it becomes convenient to just leave the box in the lounge, not even having to leave the TV to get another. Possibly the one advantage of living in a shit-hole flat in a sub-Antarctic climate.

This week’s subject is easily one of my favorite mass-produced beers. I first came across it as a thirsty young fresher when Cumby Superliquor was selling 4 packs of 500mL cans for $6. The appeal back then was that it was something like 9 or 10 standards for well less than that many dollars; it was just a nice little perk that I was also buying a premium imported Dutch lager. Even though this awesome deal ended around a month later it had sparked my taste for Grolsch and I still keep a keen eye out for specials.

These days I’ll usually pick up a box or two from the local supermarket when it’s cheap. It’s not exactly stunning value like my little first-year find but in my opinion it’s well worth the upgrade from SoGos. The bottled version, unlike its canned counterpart, is not brewed in Holland. Instead it’s imported from Aussie where Pacific Breweries does a pretty good job of getting it right.

It is a delicious light golden lager with beautiful malty flavour. It provides a slight bitterness to complement the taste and a sniff will provide you with that epic “skunky buds” smell that reminds us how closely related Cannabis and Hops are.

At 5% a box will get you pretty drunk as well. While $20 a box may not fit the bill as a scarfie beverage for every night out it’s ideal if you feel like treating yourself. If you see it on the shelf for a similar special price as Heinekin or Carlsberg I’d well recommend branching out and giving it a go. You never know – you might discover a new favourite.

Your boy,
– Pillbo Swaggins