Coolum Beer Co Vienna Lager

I’m a sucker for a Vienna lager. If you ask me, not enough breweries make them. And I’m sure I haven’t seen another one on the Sunny Coast.

This iteration’s beautiful and bright, with a slow bitterness that builds up and a smooth caramel depth that holds true all through the aftertaste. The malt bill is mostly Vienna and pilsner malts, with just a dash of carafa for colour, since head brewer Jesse wanted to keep the appearance lighter than you’ll generally get in a Vienna lager – it’s more a deep gold than a copper – to help people unfamiliar with the style not be scared off by a dark beer.

But this malty boi has picked up plenty of fans, both at the taproom and other venues in Coolum. I don’t know if that means Jesse needn’t have worried, or if his strategy worked. Either way, I hope it means we’ll be seeing more Vienna lager.

Mick Wüst