The Sip #71 Moo Brew Dark Ale
Long-time beer drinker and The Sip editor Ross Lewis puts some of Australia's top drops to the test.
Catch up with other beers on The Sip Archive
Sight is the first sense to be stimulated by the beer.
The bottle doesn’t look like any other brew vessel on the market. Then the unmistakably abstract painting on the label catches the eye.
But the best example of art remains inside the glass.
The Moo Brew Dark Ale is a winter’s delight. And it does require some deep thought – just like enthusiasts perusing a masterpiece on a wall.
The Tasmanian craftsmen have put on show a bold Brown Ale with an American twist.
The entire package comes together in a product that will spark chat as well as satisfy the taste buds.
Moo Brew grew out of the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania. So it was obvious for the theme to carry through to the beers.
Works by Australian painter John Kelly adorn the Moo Brew products, also prompting a long, hard look at the message. The thread to Kelly’s labels is his protest towards the corporatisation of the Australian Arts Council.
It is best to view the series in entirety to appreciate Kelly’s work. The by-product is that there are great Moo Brew beers available.
The Moo Brew Dark Ale benefits from the injection of some oily hops that turn the traditional style into something with more fruity appeal.
Dark malts are naturally underpinning this dark beer. And they generate caramel, biscuit and slight coffee in aroma and taste.
Again the hops force a big finish with great bitterness that highlights the value of Dark Ale during the colder months of the year.
Don’t let the black appearance put you off. This isn’t a Porter or Stout. The hops ensure this is an Ale.
And it is an American influenced old German style beer that can be appreciated by all Australians.
The Sip Snip
Dark Ale
Brewer: Moo Brew
Style: Brown Ale
Alcohol content: 5%
Standard drinks: 1.3
Bitterness: N/A
Bottles: 330ml
Estimated calories: 150 per litre
The Sip Tip (rating): Top shelf.
Average prices: $7.50 per 330ml bottle.
