Beer Report : Coopers

Australia does not have a good beer reputation. Brands such as Fosters, 4X, Toohey and VB cause nausea in beer drinkers the world over, and joy to lagerlouts and other miscreants.

One standout exception to those is the Coopers brewery, and I've reviewed Coopers Sparkling Ale previously, as part of the Michael Jackson tasting. Today brings the Cooper Extra Strong Vintage Ale, a 375ml 7.5% ale. Nose is caramel, honey and marmite/malt. Palate is quite thick, not very hoppy, tangy, meaty, malt with an overtone of unexpected sweetness. Finish is again meat and malt, but a bit more hops bitterness. Overall, it's a poor man's Thomas Hardy Ale.

Worth drinking? Well kinda, 7/10 from me. But not worth spending time hunting it out. I'm not complaining, and intend enjoying the other bottle I have.

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