“Dear Will, when we made this beer it brought back memories of our Melbourne days, enjoying a few beers and more than a few laughs. You’ve gotta try this one, it has all those amazing roasty dark notes and goes down a treat.”

Glassware: Half Stein.

Appearance: Cola-like pour with a thumb of lightly tanned foam perched on top. Good head retention but lacking a little in the lace department.

Aroma: Pretty well layered. There’s a nice dose of roasted malt which provides the usual coffee and cocoa, a dark fruit sweetness with its plum and golden raisin and then a much more subtle veneer of spicy and earthy hops. All within their own right are lovely to take in, but as a collective it creates what is an impressive aroma.

Flavour: It seems to fuss about while not offering anything for a fleeting moment but then the roasted malts kick into gear with coffee, raw cacao and carob. This little trio then passes the baton on to a rather earthy and woody note. It really dries out late in the piece and finishes on a nice roast that draws out well.

Mouthfeel: Crisp, dry and palate-friendly yet still holding a medium body and a sensible 5% ABV.

Overall: A highly underrated style the old Dark Lager. When they’re done well, like this one is, they can literally be drunk any time of the year due its versatility. Solid.