Ok, this has to be my favorite beer from down under, but has anyone noticed that the quality of it varies a lot? I can't quite figure it out, sometimes it is amazing when I buy it and other times it's a little skunky. I've paid close attention to the brew dates, but what else? Also, the price on a 6 pack varies + or - $5 if you can believe that, on any given day. Anyone have any input on it?
It's all over the place here too. I think it's quite a delicate beer and the shipping conditions can kill it. I never buy it anymore as it's a crapshoot
We don't see much of it around here in SEPA, but last time I was in OZ it was one of my regulars. The quality didn't vary there so I'd agree with @Hanglow that you're looking at shipping/handling conditions. For example the only way the beer would get skunked is if your retailer (or you inadvertently) have allowed the beer to be exposed to light for long enough to cause that. So about the only think you can do is buy it only from places where its stored properly before you buy it.
Have you noticed off-flavor issues beyond the particular topic of skunky? The specific issue of skunky is caused by light exposure interacting with the hops. If a beer is exposed to high temperatures there is also staling effects different from skunky. Cheers!
What I've always loved aboot this beer is that it is anything but sparkling. The ones I've drank were very hazy to cloudy. The taste was very good with the fresher samples I got to try. Older bottles. .didn't age well as I expected they wouldn't.
Thanks for info guys. It's gotta be the retailer, I should probably try to find it at a different retailer and see if there is much difference. @Bitterbill I def enjoy the hazy cloud of it, as well.
