United Nations of Beer

Bohemian Pilsner

by Jane Turner (and friends)
(Beer Delegate, QLD, Australia)

Bohemian Pilsner (4.7% ABV)
Matilda Bay Brewing Company

First up, we have a beer called Bohemian, which is brewed in Freemantle, near Perth, Western Australia. It’s 4.7% ABV and we could tell at the offset, if palatable, could pack a head spin punch, if not careful.

The words "should not drive machinery after consumption" would sit favourably on this label.

Before we even tried this beer, we came across two problems. Firstly, the beer does not sit comfortably in a stubby cooler. Nice bottle design, but hardly practical for drinking purposes anywhere other than a flash city bar while trying to impress potential mates. Secondly, and this was a big flaw, it is not a screw off top. (Fingers were red raw by the time we figured this out. Queensland beer tasting night is not an IQ test.)

The first swig of the beer created these comments from the three of us. "Tastes like a beer and wine mix," "It's fruity," "It's way too sweet," "It's very gassy" and "Ugh... it would be a brutal hangover if too many were consumed." I can certainly see females who like a sweeter brew liking Bohemian, especially if they are traditional wine drinkers.

But for the beer die hards sitting in the Outback, they’d be called a bunch of pansies if they rode up with an eskie full of Bohemian. Certainly this beer has its place in the market, but it won't be to everyone's taste and should be kept in those special bars and clubs where it's better suited to indoor upmarket drinking.