Westmalle Trappist: Tripel

Delivered into a traditional style goblet glass (pictured), this strong golden ale appears quite cloudy with a crisp-white, porous head.

On the nose; it surreptitiously emits a light floral-hop aroma, concealing the fact that this is actually a quite complex and very alcoholic beverage.

To the taste buds, this beer elegantly introduces her toasted malt/butterscotch and bitter flavours in a way that can only be compared with a french champagne. Really, this beer shares many of the characteristics of a dry sparkling wine, especially when served at a cold temperature. Once the beer has acclimatised up towards the 10 to 12 degrees Celsius mark, it starts to bring out the more raw flavours that remind you that you are drinking beer, a very special beer.

Being a beer from one of the 6 remaining Trappist breweries in the world, this  Belgian beer is brewed in small batches by monks and their profits go towards local charity.

"...making a profit is not their objective. Hence they spend what is left over on charitable work and people in need." (excerpt from the Westmalle website.)

Ideally this beer should be enjoyed in a Belgian beer cafe at brunch (why not? you are on holiday after all!) with a Westmalle Trappist cheese platter (yes, they make cheese as well!) or any cheese platter for that matter. The only thing missing from this equation is good company...

330ml Bottles (and occaisionally 750ml corked bottles)

9.5% Alc/Vol

Approx AUD$8 per 330ml bottle

http://www.trappistwestmalle.be/default.aspx

Schneider Weisse: Meine Hopfen Weisse (Double Malt Bock)

Poured into a tall 500ml glass; this beer presents a slight cloudiness in an elegant yellow/orange. The tall glass will help retain it's already sturdy, yet fulffy head.
Intriguing scents of orange, grapefruit and cloves woft toward the nose in a way that will only drag you further into the great search for fine brews.
Upon entering your mouth this beer explodes with an even burst of fruit including banana and mango. It really tastes like a sweet and full flavoured wheat beer but apparently it is not. The nectar-like character remains, as does a mouth coating feeling that a good brie has. A very late and polite hop bitterness finishes this fine brew off. It's really hard to believe that this incredible and complex beer has only 4 ingredients.

Whether you have just climbed the Befreiungshalle in Kelheim (the hall of liberation in the German town from which the brewery is situated) or come back from a massive hike in the German Alps; you've just earnt this beer. What better way to experience this very special "bock" beer than sitting in the beer garden of an old pub, accompanied by a large German pretzel, soaking up the springtime air? Tell me, what better way?

500ml Bottles
8.2% Alc/Vol
Approx. AUD$8 per bottle.

http://www.schneider-weisse.de/index.php?lang=en&tpl=aktuelles.messekalender&sid=49236360301323357480217236033294

Peroni Gran Riserva

This premium lager from Peroni stands in the glass with the elegant prescence of a handsome Italian tenor. The firm head is boldly held up by a clear golden body that radiates an sense of pure class.

A sweet, malt-driven aroma is sent out along the breeze to the inquisitive nostril, again emitting sophistication.

Take in a large mouthful of this lager to be refreshed with smooth carbonation and initially-delighful malt/toffee taste that soon evolves into a late and sneaky bitter finish.

So, you have just swallowed this molto buono birra and opened your eyes to realise you are looking down to a picturesque Italian marina from the outside seating area of your ristorante. Your forehead imitates the condensation off the beer glass, swiftly remedied by a cool ocean breeze as you order any kind of seafood pasta dish. Enjoy too many of these and you will likely end up forgetting the experience...

NON BERE TROPPO!!!

330ml bottles

6.6% Alc/Vol

Prices vary greatly

Barossa Valley Brewing Organic Ale

This American style pale ale pours into the glass with a royal golden colour and slight opacity. Topped off with a fine white head this beer looks impressive already.
A beautiful floral hopped aroma flows out of its body - calling you in, like a greek siren.
Then a smack of bitterness hits your whole mouth as if Muhammed Ali's hops coated boxing gloves drove a hefty blow into your lips. This full taste lingers on and on with tiny whispers of passionfruit popping up every-now-and-then.

This ale sends you to a leafy courtyard somewhere with a great number of family and friends beside you. It's a late lunch or sunset dinner in summer and you've just ordered the barbequed lamb or some kind of rich red meat dish. Can it get any better than this? The answer is no, so just sit back and congratulate yourself for selecting a beer/food match made in Heaven.... or the Barossa Valley (SA, Australia) for that matter.

4x330ml Bottles
5.2% Alc/Vol
Less than AUD$20

http://www.bvbeer.com.au/Display/barossa-valley-brewing-beer/organic-ale.html