Pretty much every brewery across Australia has put out at least one classically-minded European lager in recent weeks as Oktoberfest fever takes hold. At 2 Halfs, it's part of their DNA, with a trio of new releases inspired by the Old World leaving the Alexandria brewery.
First up is Czech This, a Czech-style pilsner that pours like copper catching the light. Aromatically delightful, expect sweet green grapes and Saaz hops, with bitterness the star to taste as classic pilsner ingredients come together to create a beer reminiscent of a sourdough starter while still being crisp and quaffable. (I stole that last word from the can but how could I not? It’s a great word.)
Moving up a few shades of darkness and ABV and you'll find Sienna, a Vienna lager with the colour of maple syrup. The warm malty aromas could convince you you’re sipping it in a brewery on brew day: smooth and savoury, Sienna opens with a sting of bitterness before ending with a rich and unctuous, toasty creaminess. The balance is superb with Vienna malt on the one hand and Perle, Hersbrucker and Mittelfruh hops on the other teaming up for one of my favourite examples of the style I’ve enjoyed this year. You could easily enjoy a couple of them but 2 Halfs only sent me one and, like a fool, I shared it with my girlfriend.
Rounding out the trio is the Butter Menthol-coloured Festbier, an Oktoberfest classic; its hoppy bouquet will remind you of sticky floors and biceps sore from lifting steins. Upfront, Festbier is crisp and sharp but grows a little stickier as the malts and bitterness (derived from the same hops as Sienna) perform an intimate slow dance within the 6 percent ABV liquid. A top brew to finish with – bonus points for finding the dog on every can.
Benedict Kennedy-Cox
Published October 9, 2024 2024-10-09 00:00:00
