Country of Origin: New Zealand
Recommended by: Darsha
Price comparison: I don't know; it was a gift.
Availability: That's tricky. This beer, in an altered (specially pasteurized) form, can be purchased in some specialty markets (such as Trader Joe's) throughout the U.S., but not in Connecticut. Fortunately, I have scored some of the real New Zealand stuff thanks to the above-mentioned Beer Fairy.
Alcohol percentage by volume: 4%
Cute bottle/label? Unremarkable gold-toned 500ml can.
Appearance: Pale yellow with a big white head and clingy lace.
Scent: Not a whole lot happening, specifically. Light maltiness.
Flavor: Slight malt flavor with some hoppiness in the back, but not much. A bit salty at the finish.
Impressions: This beer is neither better nor worse than the average U.S. major brand. It's cool and refreshing and does exactly what it's designed to do: unlike its American brethren, this beer is marketed specifically as a low-alcohol brew to make it thirst-quenching and drinkable, and thus desired by young people participating in sporting events. In other words, it's enough to make them feel cool and less thirsty but not enough to impair them.
Will I buy this beer again? I don't think I could. As I mentioned, it's available in some states, but not in its virginal New Zealand incarnation, and based on what I've heard from people in other states who have bought this at Trader Joe's, the U.S. version is less than palatable. If you're a Yank, better find a friend in New Zealand who's willing to send you care packages. As for me, I already owe Darsha my firstborn, if I ever have one. If she sends me more, I'll drink it or share it without a problem, but I won't ask her to go out of her way to get it to me.
Rating:
2½ out of 5 cute beer glasses
Reviewed: January 18, 2004
