+x+x+x+x+x+xWent to a pub on Sunday and they had a cider I hadn't heard of before - Mercury. Was surprisingly decent. It's a Carlton & United brewed Cider that's now being pushed into NSW. It's been available for a while in bottles, but it's starting to appear on tap in places. My work are now selling it on tap. I'm fairly sure it's been popular in Victoria for a while. The CUB push is probably a short-termed marketing strategy to see if it's worthwhile continuing to make it. CUB hold the local brewing rights to Bulmers Cider in Australia, and I daresay that'd be close to the most popular cider in Australia. I told my old man about Mercury last night and after all the puns and references to the Solar System were done to death, he then told me that back in the 70s/80s it was a hugely popular drink in Tasmania and that's where it was brewed (and where he lived at the time). He was super stoked to hear of its resurgence. Eh. The rights would have gone to CUB when they bought the Cascade Brewery a while back. After sampling the fabulous local craft beers, I won't drink Cascade any more, or Boag's. I generally don't drink anything made by the likes of Carlton & United Breweries or Lion (Tooheys), The only exception to that rule is the smaller craft breweries that they've bought out that still make half-decent beers. Little Creatures (Lion), James Squire (Lion), and Matilda Bay (CUB). I mostly drink Coopers Pale Ale these days, and the rise of Young Henry's here in Sydney is allowing me to drink their beers on tap in more and more pubs. Their Newtowner beer is arguably the greatest 'summer ale' of all. Their Hop ale is fantastic too - very similar to White Rabbit's Dark Ale, I've just tasted about 50 beers at the Tassie Microbrew festival - to add to the circa 150 I've already tasted and patronised on a consistent basis. Most of them were good to fabulous. Tassie is the place for craft beer, cider, wine ( 6 styles), champagne, gin and whisky these days. I've drunk alcohol in 25 countries. The Apple Isle is excelling ATM with excellent quality water ( often spring) assisting the cause. Tassie is a drinker's paradise. I love living here. Heineken, or anyone else reading this, apart from Lollywood, Gayfish and Munrubenmuz, who I've blocked/mutered, if you are down here , PM me and I'll take you out and blow your mind - and brain cells!
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