Review Date 2/7/2005
Try?
Re-buy?
And many would say the natural choice would be Fosters Lager. But for me, it’s always the specialty brews that are the best choice. These beers, packed with as much character as the country they were birthed in, should be experienced whenever possible.
Thus my selection of Cooper’s Best Extra Stout to represent Australia. Of course, Cooper’s Sparkling Ale is a close runner up, but for me the immensely flavorful and complex stout gets the nod. It’s loaded with roasted malt goodness so intense that it’ll have you hopping like a kangaroo after just a few sips.
Cooper’s is no recent arrival on the craft brew scene, however. Established in 1862, the company has a long and tried history of brewing up flavorful, wholesome ales. Most of their beers are bottle-conditioned, or packed with yeast. This gives them stability and a longer shelf-life if properly stored.
The Best Extra Stout is made with a generous dose of black malt to give it’s truly exceptional character. Still, the beer isn’t overly roasty; if you like draft Guinness, you should like Cooper’s Best Extra Stout. Alcohol content is slightly higher than average at 6.5% by volume.
Indeed, the subtle roasted character of the beer is one of it’s more remarkable aspects. It accentuates flavors of chocolate and coffee without any harsh roasted bitterness. Cooper’s explains how this is accomplished:
The unique rich and dark texture is produced by using a black malt specially roasted to our specifications in our own maltings. The roasted malt doesn’t produce the astringent flavors of roasted barley, frequently used in other stouts and results in an award winning, robust, full bodied dry stout.
As mentioned previously, the bottle conditioning will preserve the beer for some time. I have stored bottles for more than a year and found they actually improve, allowing the flavors to mellow even further.
Cooper’s Best Extra Stout pours to a jet-black color with a creamy
tan head and a luscious mocha and licorice nose. The mouthfeel is luxuriant
as I swirl the brew around slightly in the mouth, and immediately, flavors
of dark chocolate, coffee, chicory, licorice, and a hint of fruit are all
apparent.
The beer is chocolaty and certainly has some roast character, but again,
it’s moderate. It does increase slightly in the finish, which is balanced
overall. You could easily drink pint after pint of this beer and never get
tired of it.
For me, Cooper’s Best Extra Stout will always be a bit of Australia in a
bottle.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
