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James Boag'sPremium LagerABV 5% • Vol 350 ml • bottle • Australia • Mid-price • Flavour 6
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This is a Tasmanian lager brewed using water from the Esk River, apparently. It has a sweet, creamy vanilla nose with a pilsner-like hoppiness and a loose, bubbly head that lasts well down the glass. On the palate it can (unhelpfully) be described as 'peculiar' - a little malt, some hops, but absolutely loads of esters masking everything else. Aftertaste is almost nonexistent - slightly malty and a little tinny, but in general reminiscent of one of the better quality mass-market lagers. Not bad overall, different, but nothing special - the bottles were a month out of date, which might account for some of the oddness. OBBD reviewer: Sparks |
Review updated 29 October 1998
Am trying to find a supplier of this beer in Northamptonshire. Can anyone help?
Andy Laughton
I live here in Australia and to be honest this beer is not that flash, better beers come fron the James Squire Brewery and Matilda Bay Brewery in Western Australia, particularly the Red Back wheat beer.
Glenn
I tried this beer in Australia and loved it. I next ran into it in Cambridge England - it was not nearly so good - I belive this had to do with its age.
Jordan
Am trying to find a supplier of this beer in Manchester. Any ideas?
Catherine
I have just returned from a stint working in Oz and loved this beer, but I just can't find anywhere that sells it at a reasonable price - the only place I have found so far quoted £40 for 24 bottles and that was not including delivery! Anybody know of someone importing it in Buckinghamshire?
Rob.
Beautiful beer, very similar to Cascade Premium neither of which leave you feeling bloated after a few, even their Premium Lite versions are a smooth full flavoured beer.
Mark
Why don't you try a bottle of the best Australian premium beer whilst it is still within its expiry date. What would an English university know about Australian beer? [Actually, despite being a fount of knowledge, the Oxford Bottled Beer Database is not in fact a university - Ed.] Why don't you poms get your pale whinging cake holes to Oz and drink real beer. Don't ever knock James Boags Premium again, not only is it Tassie's finest, but it is Australia's finest. Suck sh*t for the next time we play England in anything. Cheers!
Hank Palmer
I cannot believe you would judge a beer that was out of date. James Boag Premium is not only one of Australia's finest but stacks up against any premium beer worldwide. Mark, what planet were you on when you compared Boags and Cascade as similar? Don't get me wrong, Cascade is a great drop, but Boags tastes nothing like Cascade. Aussies will out drink any countrymen in the world, so please don't knock our brewing capabilities. Cheers!!!
Deano
My husband loves this beer and I was going to surprise him with a case, but unable to find any. I live in Cambridgeshire. [Why not try our list of shops - Ed.]
Teresa
Founded in 1881 by James Boag and his son (but now owned by San Miguel), the Esk Brewery soon established itself as the most popular brewery in Tasmania. In 1994 the brewery started to distribute through-out Out-Back and has now acquired a reputation for producing the best quality lager in Australia. Boag's use "Pride of Ringwood" hops, which are also used in Cooper's, Foster's, and many other Australian beers. The hops are quite spicy and fragrant, not unlike the noble Hallertauer. The barley malt is quiet, merely adding a mild, slightly soapy sweetness. The brewery claims to have used the same yeast since 1881, and it feels rather tired. The water from the Esk river is notably soft, which does result in a rather creamy and laid back beer in which the hops are allowed to distinguish themselves. A constant stream of gas results in a thin foamy head which clings attractively to the sides of the glass - but the gas, soft and tickly though it is, does cause a build up of wind. So - the colour of washed out urine stained underpants; the aroma of a single blade of freshly cut grass, packaged in a Jiffy bag and sent to Tasmania; the taste of soft water that a soap bubble once passed over; the finish of a baby's dummy; and the belch of an Aussie pig farmer. This is Australia's finest lager.
Silk Tork
I am in Melboure, Australia and enjoy drinking the James Boag beer. However about two weeks ago I bought a slab from the local supermarket and found one of the bottles was quarter way filled. I have retained it. Could someone in the Quality Assuarance please advice me on what to do next.
Kahuro
Tried this beer for the first time during a recent visit to Australia - I really enjoyed it, smooth and really refreshing. Unfortunately it's not available in the States.
Frank
Hank Palmer Rocks! In addition to his accurate comments, James Boag's is not only Australia's finest, but the worlds finest.
Sparks is obviously a gay boy.
Peter Seagrim
bloody good
bob
I personally love James Boag's premium, it shits on the over-rated Crown Lager. Here's a tip for you though Sparks, get across to Tassie, drink 7 fresh (non-expired) Boag's, and you'll be in lager heaven. Cheers!
Phil
gay boy? peter, that is a very childish thing to say.
this beer, although nice, is very much a boring lager, not much better than a crownie
individual tastes vary, and if somebody doesn't like boags that is how they feel
australian premium beers are very dull and boring
and as for us aussies drinking the most, you're wrong. i believe the czech republic is currently the highest per capita beer drinking nation in the world
we rank about 10th.
i try to improve our quota by drinkng approximatly 400ltrs annually
Brendan
Anyone know if Boags is available to order on the internet?
Bob
I would like to become a distributor for the western United states. Who can I talk to
to see if this can happen?
joericci@cox.net
Is this wonderful beer available in the U.S.??
Chuck/California
If you're looking to buy this beer in the UK, it can be bought online via www.surf4wine.co.uk. I bought some from them last week!
Alsion Booker
I also live in Cambridge - Jordan, where abouts did you go for your beer?
Kate
This is a great beer. I rate it up there with james squire amber ale. This beer is great if you want a couple on a hot afternoon or want to drink a lot without getting bloated. fantastic
matt, Newcastle Australia
Bizarre comments from Sparks. Just come back from a stint in Oz and am gagging to get my hands on a case. To be fair the aussies have certainly taught us pomms how to brew beer (except for the overated Crown Lager of course). James Squire, 'Old' and Coopers are all top quality drops.
Andy.
Just got back from Oz and have to say Old Jimmy Boag was definately on to a winner when he made this one.
Neil
The North of Tasmania (where this stuff is brewed) has the purest air and water in the world (http://www.clickforaustralia.com/Tas_air_quality.htm)
The result is a beer which has the cleanest taste you will come accross, definitely, definitely not tinny ...
Consistantly wins awards at the Monde Selection (the most prestigious international beer awards) and is generally recognised as one of Australia's best beers (lets not forget the old coopers) among australians ...
1. Austalia's "Best Premium Beer" - 2003 Australia Liquor Industry Awards
2. Gold Medal - 2002 International Monde Selection.
3. Best Marketed Beer - 2002 Australian Liquor Industry Awards.
4. Premium Beer of the Year - 2001 Australian Liquor Industry Awards.
5. Gold Medal - 2001 International Monde Selection.
6. Gold Medal - 2001 Australian International Beer Awards.
7. Winner - Australasian Section, 2000 New Zealand International Beer Awards
8. Gold Medal - 2000 International Monde Selection.
9. International High Quality Trophy - 2000 International Monde Selection
10. Gold Medal - 1999 International Monde Selection.
11. Grand Champion Beer - 1998 Australian International Beer Awards.
12. Best Lager in the Open Section - 1998 Australian International Beer Awards.
13. Best Bottled and Canned Lager - 1998 Australian International Beer Awards.
14. Open Section Champion - 1998 Australian International Beer Awards.
15. Gold Medal - 1998 Australian International Beer Awards.
16. Top Aussie Lager - 1998 Vintage Cellars Wine Club.
17. Gold Medal - 1998 International Monde Selection.
18. Best Marketed Beer of the Year - 1998 Australian Liquor Industry Awards.
19. Premium Beer of the Year - 1996 Australian Liquor Industry Awards.
20. Top Australian Beer - 1996 Winestate Magazine.
21. Gold Medal - 1995 International Monde Selection.
22. World’s Best Beer - 1995 Adelaide Advertiser.
23. Beer of the Year - 1995 Sunday Age.
brendan
I was in Oz for three years so I can confidently say that this is one of their very finest beers (along with Cascade Premium). It's got a wonderful, pure taste and a "cerealy" finish, I found.
Not something to drink too often as you'll get used to it's quality and all other beers will taste heavy and cheap in comparison. Enjoy!
Johno
Hank and Pete - good work for upholding us Aussies reputation for eloquent debate - ya' bloody galahs!
Boags tastes like its been strained through a shearer's sock compared to Cascade Premium.
Wayne
Mr j boags is amogst some fine friends with the likes of cascade prem and coop's. not a bad drop well done to the tazweigons.
the seagul of sex
I first tried this beer recently in Port Douglas,queensland Australia. Very refreshing tase with a nice bite
Gary Magee
Wayne, let me guess, you're from Hobart? Don't forget that for a long time, Cascade and Boags were owned by the same company. I'll drink either
Mark
I love this beer. Not least as it was the lubricant for many a great night out when I was living in Queensland. I found it to be far superior to most of the other mass produced Aussie stuff and can only imagine that the reviewer supped from a stale bottle.
Andy Moore
I'm not a beer drinker myself... sorry guys... but i thought the black anad white advertising campaign was ingenuios. so refreshing and very different to all other beer comercials,
----check out the advertising campaign----
"Woman on the Building"
http://www.boags.com.au/Files/00216_Premium.asp?flash=true&
Nina
James Boag's Premium Lager available now for UK home delivery. Order on-line or tel:0870 011 9226.
www.booze-uk.com
This is one of the world's great beers. However I have found that it is at its best when consumed in Tasmania. Whether it does not travel well or it is more suited to that climate I cannot say.
But still very good anywhere.
Craig Goodman, Qld.
I trully love this beer! it grows on u with every sip! the greatest beer i've ever tasted!
Craig Parker, Qld.
I tried this beer about 5 years ago. It was so wonderfully crisp and refreshing. To me, it tasted like beer made from some really good spring water. My fiance and I reallly enjoyed it, but I can't find it anywhere. Does anyone know if Costco carries this brand? I live in Noblesville, Indiana, and purchased the first six pack at Ace Discount Liquors. I can no longer find this in Indiana. Ace told me that their distributor had stopped carrying it. If anyone knows of anyone selling this wonderful beverage in Indiana (hopefully north of Indy), please respond to this comment.
Stacey
I have hard it a few times in different situations.I find it to be well made but very bland. Hard to find any malt or hop character. Clean and crisp but Cascade Premium Lager, and many more, have far better character.Easy to drink and hard to remember.
Barry
It's worse than that Mark - I'm from Sydney. Thanks for the historical note, and if you're buying them, I'll drink Boags too.
Wayne
James Boag's Premium Lager is the best. Full stop. I've been to Australia three times and when I go back, it will be the first thing I buy.
Mike Wilson
Lousy, yucky beer!!!!!! disgusting and gross!!!
Anti-Boag
Boag's Premium, still a great beer.
By the way, J Boag & Son was founded in 1883,
not 1881.
Brief summary of those early days at:
http://au.geocities.com/sportandhistory/ltn.html
Ross
Simply wonderful. You can drink it all day and you still want more. Each drop as good as the first.
Brad
I find boug´s on Berlin Grune Woche fair. NOT FIND :-(
Pavel
Its incredible, i loved ever drop of it.
Andrew
Ditto Spark's comments. What a boring beer.(4)
HopsHappy
this is an awesome beer all you guys complaining don't know what your on about, try boags draught as well it a goodie
Soren (australia)
I not only love the beer but also just love the Ads.
Chick drinker
I once had a dream that i was eating a raw onion and had a Boag's Premium not long after I woke up. Since then all I can think when I have a Boag's is, "This tastes like an onion." Rather good, otherwise.
Brian Monaro
Can anyone tell me how to get James Boags in the US?
Doug Peterson
From a Sotsman who has been drinking Tennents Lager for a long time I am happy to say that all of the Boag's beers are made from te finest ingedients and contain no shitty chemicals. Try some and enjoy!!
Webby
Cascade Premium Light is much better! Best regards from Hobart
Lars
I actually find Cascade Premium to be much more flavoursome than the Boags but enjoy both, depends on what you are doing at the time. Like wine there is no all purpose beer that I know of.
Agree you lose credibility tasting out of date beer but at least you generate discussion, good on you for that.
Paul
Cascade just does not hack it against Boags. Why not just drink poision instead.
Kane
now there is a passionate man! i appreciate that but to be fair they are both on the top of their game, easily the two finest beers from australia.
pommie will
I lived in Hobart, Tas for 6 years (uni & high school) and the number of people drinking Boags was equal to those drinking Cascade and everyone was fiercly loyal to their choice. What is interesting is that I found a Cascade drinker who starts drinking Boags will never go back to Cascade! This doesn't work the other way around though... My 'regular' beer is Boag's Draught cause I prefer something with a stronger taste, and when I'm not drinking Boag's in Australia I reckon Squire's Amber Ale and Porter are about the best. Now I live in France and the only decent beer I can get (that doesn't cost an arm and a leg) is Guinness. BTW everyone Australia does not have the highest per capita beer consumption *country* in the world, but the Northern Territory has the highest per capita beer consumption of any region in the world.
Jamie, Aus/UK/France
Awesome beer my favorite too bad its too expensive :(.Bought a carton for chrissy and its was $48 O.O.
Dont whinge a great drop and worth every cent.
Adam,SA
OBBD - shouldn't you review your review with some "in date" beers?
Segat1
Guys, good news!
James Boags Premium Lager is now available in the entire United States!!! It is available in all 780 Outbacks spread across the 50 states of America.
Gaddiel
"Who is James Boag?"
Bort
Best beer in Australia bar none, better than xxxx
Ant from Melbourne
agree on peculiar. average, drinkable, i'd give it 4-5/10
Simon
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