The Aldi supermarket chain holds around 10% of the market share in Australia. So much smaller than the Coles and Woolworths giants. It does however have a few things that make it stand out. It is a supermarket where you pack your own bags, where you can find budget items which have a suspiciously similar logo and colour scheme to more mainstream brand items, where you will find a instore liquor section.
Aldi supplies some selected recognizable brands such as Corona and Coopers Pale (both in 12 packs rather than slabs). It also like most other products on its shelves has its own in house brands. These are brewed specifically for Aldi are very (relatively) cheap and at least the 3 I tried all award winners.
Below are reviews 3 of these Aldi beers.
Storm Brewing Co - Super Dry Beer - 5.0%
Taste: Dry and hoppy. A little bit of sweetness to it
Verdict: 2.5
I found this super dry beer not that dry. In fact it had a bit of fruity sweetness to it. It did remind me a bit of a Crown Lager beer, if not as good. It is drinkable but I feel I could taste the reason for the low price. It is a serviceable beer, something you could have a couple in a pinch but not much more than that.
Fraser Briggs - Premium Lager - 4.6%
Taste: A little bitter, a little malty, a little bit hoppy
Verdict: 3.0
If you squint it looks quite similar to a James Boags premium lager. Taste a little bit like one as well. Crisp and drinkable. This beer is a slight step up from the Storm in quality in the mouth feel. A acceptable if simple lager.
Cape Cyan Natural Blonde - 4.2%
Taste: Crisp, hoppy and slightly sweet.
Verdict: 3.25
Hello there Pure Blonde (wink). This low carb beer is not too bad at all. Flavour wise it is on the short side, with the flavour not hanging around for long. But while it is there it feels reasonably well balanced. Sessionable for sure and seems to be the pick of the bunch, at least what tried anyway. Good, almost great.
All 3 are brewed in New Zealand and share the same price points. $11.99 for a 6pk and $39.99 for a slab of 24.
They also share similar characteristics (and branding) to more mainstream popular beers. I am sure this very deliberate. That being said none of the 3 were horrible Perhaps on the simple and plain side but you could do worse, especially at this price point.
