HOP TO IT AND TRY THIS COMBO

Hugh the Neighbour and I were reminiscing about good and bad beers of the past, with the conclusions being that the passing of Mac’s should displease nobody but Abbot’s Lager is worthy of a revival.

The main point of our discussion was how new technology means drinking beer from cans doesn’t mean you get a poorer experience than drinking from glass bottles.

Nowadays, even many expensive craft beers come in cans and the taste is indistinguishable from bottled beer.

Last weekend we tried Colonial Pale Ale from Colonial Brewing, which has operations in Port Melbourne, Victoria and Margaret River in WA.

Made with both Australian and US hops, this beer manages to pick a mid-point between the full bitter fruit shop of some West Coast, US pale ales and the more nuanced Australian versions.

It is properly floral on the nose but does not overwhelm the beer as an entire experience.

At 4.4 per cent ABV, it is a full-strength beer without being crazy strong, meaning it has reasonable sessionability, although both Hugh and I found it to be fruity enough that I am not sure we would have reached for the second six-pack.

Interesting the cans Colonial Pale Ale come in remove the entire top when you open them rather than the traditional keyhole. Not exactly sure why as for mine it made them difficult to pour into a glass and likewise not the easiest to drink straight from the can.

That said, the taste was fine. One to try this summer.