The trip home on the BotF was certainly different tonight. We were forced upstairs to the undercover veranda bar by the closure of the back deck and the side decks, because of the threat of high seas. The sky was very dark and the only thing that indicated where the heads were, was a white line where waves were breaking off the south head. There were three announcements asking passengers to secure their bikes and prams and we braced ourselves for the worst. It’s probably all about risk mitigation, but the skippers on the ferries know how to handle the big swell, and whilst there was no shortage of pitching and side to side movement – the captain steered a good course. Would be great to do it in the day time and see the swell coming up against the boat more clearly.
The beverage for our journey was a mystery drop. Whenever the Circular Quay bottlo sells a 6 pack for $11.99 there is something awry. An attractive bottle of “Carter Premium Lager” was in the fridge for $2.50 a stubbie. We were expecting the $15 six pack and they’ve done the $3 discount. The beer was the blandest I’ve drunk without being crap. It wasn’t soapy or slightly off like some really bad beers – but it had no discernible features either. “It’s clean, it’s crisp, it’s Carter” is the promise. The weirdest thing is that in an age of advanced beer marketing – Facebook, viral marketing, Twitter – for even the most obscure beer – there is nothing about “Carter Premium Lager” or its brewer “Southern Beverages Australia” of Port Hacking Rd, Caringbah in Whitepages or the net. There’s a couple of reviews on a site called Living Social – but the beer or brewer itself has no presence.
So an unmarketed beer, by an unlisted brewer – I wish I hadn’t drunk three of them – what will formaldehyde do to one?
back of the ferry 
I have been wondering about this beer after seeing it listed in a bottle-o ad.
If you look up the name “southern beverages australia” on the ASIC Company Name Register you’ll see that it’s a registered business name of some other entity (not stated).
There is however a private company called “Southern Beverages Pty Ltd” that also shows up on the register which could be the owner of the business name.
According to the register, southern beverages pty ltd is under external administration, which may explain why this beer is being sold at lots of places all of a sudden – the administrator may be attempting to trade the company out of trouble.
There are a few other entities with similar names that may or may not be related but most have been deregistered.
The plot thickens!
It looks to be a registered trademark of the Liquor Stax bottle shop chain. I haven’t seen it for sale yet but going off the trademark I would assume its a contract brew “home brand” for their outlets and affiliated stores.
It’s from New Zealand… surely “Land of the Long White Cloud” across the front of the label gives it away!!!!
[…] the highly respected Australia beer blog “The Back of the Ferry“ indicates, the Carter Premium has an odd background. The labelling says that it comes […]
My local pub has just changed hands and the new owner is not stocking Carter Premium Lager. My fave beer of all time and now I’ve lost it…can anyone please let me know where I can buy my beloved Carter. I’ve tried everywhere I know but no joy. I live north of Sydney but still on the edge of Metro..willing to travel for this drop. Cheers Mark