Kozel Dark

As I've said before, Czech Republic know how to make beer. This is a fine example. Kozel Dark is a smooth, creamy dark ale with a variety of subtle flavours. The mid-strength alcohol content makes it very drinkable, even on a hot day, this is not a beer to 'drink to get drunk' on, because you would struggle, and it would be a terrible waste.

If you're a fan of dark beer you MUST try this. Then buy a carton. You're looking at about $4.50 for a 500ml single. A carton is about $75 for 10L of the stuff.

Creamy Goodness.

9/10

Pilsner Urquell

You don't hear much of the Czech Republic, probably because if they can make beer like this, they must be sloshed constantly.

This would make a good starting point if you're considering ditching the same draught beer you've been drinking your whole working life for something a bit nicer. You're looking at about $18-$22 for a 6 pack. Well worth the money.

Make no mistake about it, this is the greatest beer known to mankind. If you don't believe me, google "beerstrip" and find a Pilsner Urquell related flash game which happens to be The Greatest Game Known to Mankind.

Smooth, bright, crisp, awesome.

9.5/10

Rekorderlig Strawberry & Lime Cider.

I know what you're thinking, something like this is either going to be totally brilliant or bottled urine. Well, it's fantastic. Imported from Spain, this cider has a good level of carbonation which seems to be a problem for a lot of other foreign ciders. On the nose, it does smell like lip-gloss, and it does make your lips a bit sticky too. It's unashamedly angled at the Rose/Sparkling Rose audience but does so with a level of maturity as opposed to trying to hook some kids by tasting like sprite.

It may sound girly but boys, fear not, your penis will not shrink by drinking this. You're looking at around $8 or $9 for one of these, (DO NOT PAY $15 IN A BAR), and you wouldn't want to buy many more than that. Although it is very sweet and very refreshing, it is a pretty strong flavour and unless you're a committed sweet-tooth (I'm really not) you'd probably find yourself wanting something else after 2x500ml.

I suspect these will make a killing over summer.

6/10

Ardbeg 10 Y.O

This Single Malt, aged 10 years, has a wickedly full on smokey flavour. (I'm talking mega-smoke.) Suitable for a warm day, it goes down smooth with a tidbit of bite on the aftertaste, it makes me feel like I should be drinking it with a gun in one hand, sitting in a warm breeze shooting at stuff. (not people).

Definitely worth a nip or two, but I get the impression that all those smokey flavours would wear thin pretty quickly. A bottle of this stuff will set you back $80-$90, which is perfectly reasonable. It's not radical by any means, but it is solid.

6/10

Glenmorangie 10Y.O

Glenmorangie Ten Year Old is probably one of the best Single Malts available in this price range. You're looking at $65-$80 for one of these. For the money, you're getting a rich variety of flavours blended together in a golden silk that goes down smoothly.

A much bigger price tag could be attached to this bottle and it would still be worthwhile. Good for a gift too. (For me, preferably).

9/10

Kronenberg 1664

A dry lager from the French. Not very exciting. The bottle shape is ugly, the label gets in the way, and after all that effort, the beer is lame.

Another false import. It's probably better in Paris where the water is undoubtedly more sophisticated and is more willing to take you out to dinner.

This is the only French beer I've tasted so far, not off to a good start.

2.5/10

Cascade First Harvest 2010

This years edition of the long standing green hop brew is best consumed on a very warm day. Preferably after you've had a few pints of something else.

The 2009 release was a solid beer, the fruity characteristics balanced out the tang of the green hops nicely. It wasn't anything too special, but it was solid. This years, makes last years look awesome. To be brutally honest, the '10 doesn't have shit on the '09. It's ok at best. It certainly does not command its price tag of around $88 a carton. (Around $24-$29 a 6 pack and you wouldn't get much change from a fiver for a single.)

The '10 is very thin, it lacks the body of its predecessor. By all means try it, but don't gamble your money away on a box.

3/10