Although some consumers may still think of lower alcohol beer as a dirty word, demand in Australia for this category continues to grow. While this is a relatively new trend here, Europeans have been enjoying various low ABV beers for decades. It might shock some, but Australia’s biggest selling beer is now in fact a mid-strength. XXXX Gold, also colloquially known as Vitamin X to a few salt-of-the-earth Queenslanders, tops the list as the nation’s favourite brew. To give an idea of exactly how popular, it is estimated that roughly one in every five beers sold nationally is the mid-strength.
We as a beer-loving country hold our domestic brews high in our hearts at home and proudly when abroad; think Foster’s Lager (although few drink Fosters these days unless they have a beard and are trying to be ironic). But how do we explain this shift in traditional Australian beer drinking habits with low alcohol products becoming more accepted in our drinking culture, and dare I say even fashionable. A key reason behind this movement is a combination between health and practicality. Firstly, less alcohol means less calories consumed helping to avoid the dreaded beer gut along with numerous potential health benefits associated with moderation. But it’s also to do with mid-strength beers (3.5% alcohol) conveniently equating to 1 standard drink. This means it’s possible to enjoy a couple of cold beers with a meal and still drive back to work or home. And the best part, you’re much less likely to experience any negative hangover effects the next day.
The new generation of mid-strengths recently released into the marketplace have been linked in with the craft beer movement. These examples are undisputable proof that lower alcohol and full flavour can live happily side by side, breaking commonly held misconceptions. Although alcohol acts as a flavour enhancer in drinks, brewers combat this by carefully selecting malts and hops that produce stronger flavours, while still cleverly keeping all the elements in balance. With increasing styles and flavour profiles available as mid- strengths, beer drinkers can easily find a lower alcohol option that suits their taste beyond the standard fare.
Newly released Yenda Red Ale exemplifies this sentiment. One of the only pale ale style mid-strength available in Australia, it shows great flavour impact with the use of dark crystal and Munich malts. The Red Ale has an alluring delicious sweet malt complexity about it, with underlying passionfruit and citrus aromas. Under blind tasting conditions, a beer connoisseur would be hard pressed to discern whether it was a full strength beer or not. Another certainly worth a try is the James Squire The Constable Copper Ale, which is a golden English style ale at sits at 3.4% ABV.
Next time you’re out at your local bottle shop, why not grab a 6 pack of one of the new craft mid-strengths available. Chances are you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Available at Fassina Liquor Stores
