Temple Pale Ale comes in a very nice looking bottle. Unashamedly inspired by Japanese artwork, it makes a stylish change from the usual ‘traditional’ theme that defines so many beer labels.
The beer is good too. I was recommended it by a guy at Swords in Vic Market after mentioning that my favourite drop was Little Creatures Pale Ale. Well, he knew his stuff, because this is a nice drop – similar to Little Creatures, but with a bit more body in the hops. There’s citrus flavours, but they’re not as flowery. Perhaps not as immediately accessible, but well worth getting acquainted with.
They say:
Temple Brewing Company is dedicated to brewing distinctive handcrafted beers from the finest ingredients. Temple Pale Ale is full flavoured with a clean bitterness and a rich malt character balanced by a unique blend of spicy floral citrus hops.
Temple Brewing Company
Level 8, 124 Exhibition Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia
www.templebrewing.com.au
Sweetwater Pale ale – a gift from a friend who’d just returned from a Kiewa Valley getaway over easter.
This is a pretty complete beer. There’s a creamy, fine, fragrant head that lasts more than the usual and underneath there’s a slightly cloudy, rich amber coloured ale. A balance of sweet and bitter – hops and malt, it’s all there. There’s even a hint of a citrus in the aftertaste that keeps you coming back for more.
Oh! look at that head!
Very nice. Right up there with the best I’ve tasted. I’m delighted to see a pattern developing – I’ve already learned that the rich, cloudy ales are the ones I like the best, so this journey is already yielding results!
They say: not much actually, just the name and address of the brewery and the usual statutory stuff. They do say one thing of interest that is worthy of mention; tucked away very small on the neck label “To best enjoy this beer, drink it from a glass”. Great advice!