According to Southern Highland’s head brewer Corey Young, this beer was inspired by “drinking margaritas on a hot day, thinking, ‘How do you get the refreshing taste of a cocktail but with a mid-strength beer crushability?’”
The answer, it seems, is this rather sublime, citrus-charged, salted sour beer. Teaming up with good friend Tim Howard from Merino Brewery in Narellan, the duo have infused the centuries-old German gose style with the mouthwatering flavour of a Mexican marg.
Highly carbonated and pouring the colour of pale straw, Margaritaville’s aroma gives off soft citrus, just-baked bread and fresh sea spray (yes, really). On the tongue, blood orange juice and late-whirlpool Citra imbue a lively, zesty edge while a dash of lemon myrtle flowers adds a sweet, subtle botanical note. A pinch or two of pink Himalayan rock salt deftly balances out the sweet and sour for a delicious yet delicate drop.
The brewers recommend drinking this in a salt-rimmed glass but a sparkling pool and lounging on a giant blow-up flamingo would also suit it perfectly. Cocktail hour starts now.
Jason Treuen
Published January 17, 2024 2024-01-17 00:00:00
