Tasting

What does beer from Tasmania taste like? The pale lager tastes lightly of grain and bread, has low bitterness, and a short, dry finish. The pale ale smells of citrus and fruit, with a slightly fuller body. Examples include Cascade Pale Ale, Cascade's Premium Lager, and James Boag's Premium.

Australian glasses have their own names, and sizes vary by state. A schooner is a medium-sized glass holding around 425 millilitres. A pot is smaller, holding around 285 millilitres. At the pub, you'll usually order one or the other.

There's a reason for the smaller glass: in the heat, beer warms up quickly. Order a pot, finish it cold, and get the next one. The glass stays in hand only briefly, keeping the temperature low. Many Australians explain it this way too—a large glass would warm up fast in summer.

The temperature is often just a few degrees above freezing, noticeably colder than German Pils. Cold dulls aromas. For a lager with a light profile, that matters little, but a pale ale only reveals its fruity aroma once it's warmed up a bit.

A small head of foam belongs on a draught pour, protecting the beer from air. Bottles in Australia are called stubbies when they hold 375 millilitres, and cans are called tinnies. For tasting, a clean glass is all you need. If the first sip feels too cold, just wait a moment.