United Nations of Beer

MASH Citrus lager

by Fez Broadbent
(Beer Delegate, New Zealand)

MASH Citrus lager
Three Boys Brewing, New Zealand

In researching this beer I have found some real gems regarding what other reviewers have said.

There was the usual public relations friendly spin "unlike any other beer currently available both in terms of brand personality and actual beer". Then there was the real punter's literary attack: "It has the nose of a budget dishwashing liquid, but doesn't taste nearly as good."

But I would like to take the middle ground.

Upon my first taste I immediately thought, "Ew gross, this is like a cheap Radler knock off", but then after a few more swigs I realised that as the brand is so valiantly trying to pioneer; it is a beer that is suited to be accompanied by food.

After all why not? The wine industry has been doing it for centuries; certain wines go with certain cheese or meals of different ethnical taste. So too does the MASH range try to promote a lager that is suited to varying situations.

In this sense, MASH Citrus lager is suited to accompany a spicy palate of some sort. Like Monteith's Radler, it's best served in quantities of a maximum of two, or perhaps three, but after that becomes a burden on your tastebuds.

It's not the kind of beer that you go out to buy on the way to a party or at the game, it's more something you buy to accompany a meal that you would later be preparing.

Sadly New Zealand doesn't really seem ready for this new breed of thinking or at least hasn't been prepared for it. Perhaps Lion Nathan should change their marketing to better educate the general populus as to how to best apply this range of lagers.

They emphasise choice in the brand and express excitement to see how New Zealand would take to them, but should have realised a pre-determined notion for how they SHOULD be consumed. Letting the punters decide is always going to result in negative feedback from traditionalists and students whose taste buds have already been whetted by such acquired tastes as budget dish washing liquids.

I admit I didn't particularly like this beer, but could understand that if it were paired with a balance in sustenance such as a burrito or maybe some tacos, then it could be most enjoyable. Its artificial citrus taste is almost spicy but subtle in the tradition of the common RTD, but amazingly this is a beer.

So this summer if you are looking for something to ease back on a hammock with and chill, this might be the one.