If you think that Fosters is really Australian for beer, then you definitely need to read this review. Contrary to what the ad people at the most famous brewery down under may tell you, there are plenty of other Australian breweries that brew up some might fine beer. One of my personal favorites is the Cooper’s Brewery, famous among beer lovers world wide for their delightful Cooper’s Sparkling Ale.

The Cooper’s brewery is a long established one, having been in operation since 1862. Today as then, Cooper’s is a family owned, family managed, and family operated concern producing lagers and ales of exceptional quality. The Cooper’s brewery has managed to escape the seemingly never-ending series of mergers and acquisitions that have plagued much of the Australian, and for that matter, global brewing industry. Cooper’s remains true to its original standards of brewing, something that is readily apparent in every bottle of Cooper’s beer.

The next time you pop open a bottle or can of Foster’s, look closely at the label. If you buy it in North America, you’re likely to see that it was brewed in Canada. That won’t happen when you pour yourself a glass of Cooper’s Sparkling Ale. Cooper’s Australian beer is real Australian beer, and they aren’t above taking a poke at their larger competitor over this matter:

Established in Adelaide, Australia in 1862 by our founder Thomas Cooper, Cooper’s Brewery is proudly Australian. Our followers can rest assured that even today, all Cooper’s Beers are still brewed and bottled only in Australia.

When you get your Cooper’s Sparkling Ale home, don’t be distressed to see something floating around in the bottom of the bottle. That is yeast, and while it is not a common sight in many of the Australian beers imported into the United States, it is a critical component in Cooper’s Sparkling Ale. That’s because this is real ale, or ale that has a secondary fermentation in the container it is served from. It won’t hurt you, and in fact it’s even good for you, since yeast is chock full of B vitamins.

The yeast is also good for the beer’s shelf life. Bottle conditioned beers like this one will not deteriorate as quickly as other beers tend to do. I cannot remember when I drank a bad bottle of Cooper’s. It also adds extra carbonation to the beer, and this is where Cooper’s Sparkling Ale derives its name. As in sparkling wine, a steady stream of bubbles rises to the top of the glass after pouring.

There are two ways to pour this beer. The brewery says:

The sediment is completely natural and can be gently mixed before drinking or poured carefully leaving the sediment in the bottle.

Cooper’s Sparkling Ale pours to a bright orange color with a thick creamy head formation and a light malt nose. A steady stream of bubbles rises from the bottom of the glass to the head, giving the appearance of fine champagne. The palate is smooth and drinkable, crisp and malty with a refreshing but flavorful body. There is a touch of fruit and a hint of green apple attributable to acetaldehyde. The finish has a pronounced grassy hop bite that lingers slightly on the tongue after sipping. If you add the yeast from the bottle, the beer will take on a slightly nutty flavor.

This is a wonderful Australian beer and a world class brew.



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