ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

The regular reader of this column may well have noticed that Hugh the Neighbour and I are not great consumers of mid-strength beer. This was not always the case.

For a long time, like most of regional Australia, we would have settled in to drink many bottles of a XXXX Gold or Carlton Mid; or, when showing off at an Italian restaurant, a Peroni Leggera.

Nowadays, having rediscovered the delights of full-strength beer, particularly of the craft persuasion, the thought of chugging six middies is not that attractive. So it was with some trepidation that we sat down last Sunday to sample the latest from James Squire – Mid River 3.5% pale ale.

HTN’s go-to beer in the fridge is the Squire Chancer golden ale, while mine is the Squire 150 Lashes pale ale, so we are probably fair examples of Squire drinkers who may try a lighter beer from the same stable should, Lord forbid, the need arise.

Mid River pours quite cloudy in the glass, and keeps a lacey head while you are drinking it. In the mouth, you get enough hops and malt to make it not terrible drinking, although it feels thin and doesn’t leave you with very much of anything on the back palate after you swallow. Hugh summed it up when he said it was refreshing and drinkable enough, just not that moorish.

By way of contrast, I had on hand a couple of stubbies of the Squire Summer release The Swindler, a 4.2% Tropical Pale Ale. To be truthful, I found it pretty sweet. The word we thought summed it up was innocuous. It is certainly no chore to drink, but just not that memorable.

The Facts: James Squire the Swindler (345ml stubbies; 4.2% ABV), $14 a six pack; $53 acarton of 24. James Squire Mid River (345ml stubbies; 3.5% ABV), $18 a six pack; $55 a carton of 24. Email myshout@newsregionalmedia.com.au.