BotF’s Christmas present to himself was a new beer from McLaren Vale Brewing Co., which he had been looking forward to ever since he and Tony from Toowoomba got stuck into a heap of Vale Ales some months ago. That was a sensational drop and the anticipation has been rising since being alerted to a new variety on Facebook.
This eagerness caused this correspondent to ignore the two unwanted beer trends followed by this brewer – 1) the 4 pack; and 2) the 330ml bottle. These can be ignored when what is contained in the bottle is sensational or unique (or someone else is paying). Unfortunately, that is not the case with Vale Dry. It isn’t a bad beer. The packaging is very stylish, the contrast to the Vale Ale design is clever and they’ve at least produced a different bottle-top.
Vale Dry is crisp, clean and smooth – it’s just that it is good, not great – and doesn’t justify a four pack. At least make it 5.2% or something like that, fellas.
back of the ferry 
[…] The beer blogosphere has been buzzing with the results of the 100 Hottest Craft Beers of 2010. I think that the poll is into its 3rd year and it is announced on Australia Day like its inspiration – the JJJ Hottest 100. I reckon that it probably falls half way between the two types of JJJ polls – “All Time” and “Hottest of the year”. Little Creatures Pale Ale has won the last two years and came second this year. Interestingly, the announcement pulls no punches as to why McLaren Vale Ale won (and Dry came 9th). It acknowledges a really, really good social media campaign. Good luck to them – BotF praised Vale Ale highly, but was rather tough on Vale Dry. […]
[…] Tony from Toowoomba and I were hugely enamoured with Vale Ale and I was slightly underwhelmed by Vale Dry. Well it is now 2 out 3 on the positive side of the ledger for McLaren Vale Brewery Co. Vale/DRK is […]