John Boston Premium Lager was released in Australia this week.

The newcomer elevates beer to the same level of sophistication as wine, having been initially crafted to satisfy the palates of the 55,000 members of The Wine Society.

The premium craft beer was created by master brewer Bruce Peachey to a specific brief prepared by The Wine Society members. His mission was to produce a beer displaying the same complexities of flavour, aroma and texture as those found in premium wines.

John Boston Premium Lager is named after the free settler who became the colony’s first brewer in 1796.

Produced by The Wine Society, it is 100 per cent Australian-owned (in a landscape of foreign-owned Australian beers) and profits from the brewing venture will fund continued benefits for members of the Society.

The Wine Society is Australia’s oldest independent wine club. It was established in 1946 to advance wine appreciation and education, to promote excellence in the wine industry, and to offer members selected wines at the best prices possible. It now operates its own retail stores.

The task of turning the John Boston concept into a product was placed in the hands of former Lion Nathan head brewer Bruce Peachey, previously charged with the responsibility of producing Guinness and Lowenbrau beers under licence in Australia. He also created the Blue Tongue craft beer.

Peachey terms his new creation a “luxury lager”. The brewing technique is 100 per cent natural, using only the highest quality natural ingredients and no preservatives or additives.

“We use prime malted barley, premium local hops and specially-selected yeast, and the purity of flavour is outstanding,” he said.

“Noble hops (hops that are low in bitterness but with vibrant aromas) are added late in the brewing process to further balance the beer and to provide seductive fresh floral aromas. It is a refreshing full-strength lager and pale golden in colour.”

In Australia, per capita beer consumption peaked in 1975. Industry data reveals Australians are drinking less - but better quality - beer with premium and craft beers showing the biggest increase in popularity.


Source: Media Release