Lucky Beer and Bintang Beer Reviews
September 14, 2009
LUCKY BEER
Here’s something unusual… Chinese Beer from Australia! And not only that, you get a second review for free!
Since I started writing for The Brew Club I’ve been taking more interest in the beer shelves at my local supermarket.
For the most part the bottles are pretty nondescript, with a few exceptions like the embossed Cusquena and Cobra bottles. The other day I saw a bottle shaped like a chinese ‘Pekong’ Happy Buddha holding a gold ingot above his head. Closer investigation showed the beer to be imported from Australia, but brewed ‘to an authentic Asian recipe’. That means rice in the mix, along with the usual malted barley and then a hefty dose of aromatic Czech Saaz hops.
Well, I confess my curiosity got the better of me, and I am rather fond of oriental beers, so I purchased a bottle of ‘Lucky Beer‘ and took it home to chill.
The beer is brewed to a respectable 4.8% by Australia Independent Brewers in Smeaton Grange, New South Wales, and pours a bright crisp amber colour with a clean white head. No surprises there. There’s a slightly hoppy nose, but not excessive,and the flavour is a crisp clean, slightly sweet pilsner that will go well with Asian food.
Actually given the rice in the mix I was hoping to pick up more of that rounded sweetness you find in Tsing Tao, but it was nowhere to be found. So it doesn’t taste like a Chinese lager, but is it Asian? I returned to my beer fridge and found a bottle of Bintang (review below), Indonesia’s finest, and opened that.
Yep, that works. In a blind tasting I don’t think I would tell Lucky and Bintang apart… that’s pretty authentic Asian flavour in my book.
Obviously the bottle is the main selling point of this beer, there’s even a guy in Chicago who converts the bottles into drinking glasses. That said, while I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy it again, there’s more to it than just the fancy bottle.
Rating: 
BINTANG
Which brings me, while I’m here, to Bintang.
The Bintang brewery was founded in 1929 and now have two breweries in Indonesia, the company is part of the global Heineken group and are responsible for brewing Heineken and Guinness for the Indonesian market.
Given that I couldn’t differentiate between Lucky Beer and Bintang, you can already surmise that I’m going to give this three stars and say that it’s light, crisp, slightly sweet, and refreshing with a hint of Saaz hops on the nose.
Bintang (meaning ‘Star’) is by far the best selling beer in Indonesia, including resorts like Bali and is consequently familiar to our friends in Australia.
Rating:
I think the key to beers like this is, given that there are a number of well regarded beers brewed locally, would I pay a premium both in terms of cash and ‘food miles’ (the distance food has traveled to arrive on your table) for beers like these?
In all honesty probably not.
They’re both fine beers, and as I’ve suggested would go down well with an Asian meal, but if I was to go for a brew that’s had to be shipped a long way, then I think I’d probably go for Tsing Tao.
Have you tried Tsing Tao, Lucky, or Bintang? What’s your favorite?
Posted in 3 Star Reviews, Lager, Views from a Brit
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September 14th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
That might be the most unique beer bottle I’ve ever seen. Thanks for sharing it.
Nate´s last blog ..Pumpkin Ale
September 14th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
I’d agree. Hey Bob, is there a label on that bottle someplace, or is the funky design enough.
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Harbin Chinese Beer
September 14th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
It is a nice beer bottle. The reason that it is so unique is because it’s from the Ming Dynasty. Seriously though, very cool bottle.
Michael Reinhardt´s last blog ..Boulevard Brewing Company, Ripple Glass, and Recycling
September 15th, 2009 at 5:42 am
There is a small label at the back that gives brief details of strength, ingredients, brewery, importer and so on.
And while the bottle is indeed cool (and still on my shelf although empty), the heading of The Brewclub used to read “It’s about the beer” and the beer was actually pretty good.
Bob the Brit´s last blog ..Blackpool
September 15th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Actually we’re ‘expanding your beer horizons’ now! Someone else was using ‘its all about the beer’ for a tagline, so we’ve moved on to expanding! I didn’t know the Mings were in Australia!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Schneider & Brooklyner Hopfen Weisse Beer
September 15th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Well we’ve reviewed beers from (almost) the four corners of the earth, so yes, we’re certainly expanding horizons.
And according to the research detailed in Gavin Menzies book “1421 The Year China Discovered the World” Emperor Zhu Di’s fleet actually left Chinese Colonies in both Australia and New Zealand.
Bob the Brit´s last blog ..Blackpool
September 15th, 2009 at 7:42 am
So Michael is right again? Damn! Great stuff as usual Bob – thanks!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Bard’s Tale Gluten Free Beer
September 15th, 2009 at 10:50 am
I just can’t take Asian beers seriously. I always think they’ll taste just the way Bob described so I pass them up time and again. Maybe if one is on the menu at a Chinese or Japanese restaurant, but otherwise no sale. I’m glad you’ve enforced my uniformed prejudice.
Nice write up, Bob.
Jim´s last blog ..Ales and Ailments
September 15th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Jim, I might disagree when it comes to Singha (Thai) beer which is considerably more robust. I have some Thai beer reviews drafted ready for Scott to publish at his leisure.
Bob the Brit´s last blog ..Blackpool
September 15th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Yep, we’re going to be rolling out quite a few Asian beer reviews shortly along with some obligatory ‘Oktoberfestathon’ reviews. East meets West @ The Brew Club!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Wolaver’s Organic Pale Ale
September 15th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Bob- I’ll look out for Singha and look forward to the Asian invasion Scott has promised above. I’ve been into great beer for a couple of years now and I love the fact that there’s always something new to discover. Every preconceived notion I’ve had about a style of beer or a country of origin is eventually shattered, which is awesome.
Jim´s last blog ..Ales and Ailments
September 18th, 2009 at 11:04 am
I love Lucky beer!
My girlfriend works for a company that distributes Lucky in my area, so occassionally she will bring home some samples. Plus a new Asian fusion restaurant in my neighborhood just started serving it as well. It’s a great bottle and a very decent brew. Cheers!
B.E. Earl´s last blog ..Movie Macabre
December 10th, 2009 at 5:14 am
Dear Sir or Madam:
Please let me know the price of lucky beer, if i want order u 1 or 2 containers.
Please send me e-mail as soon as possible.
Your sincerely.
Sok Sopheap