Bluetongue Premium Lager - Bluetongue Brewery Pty Ltd

aBeeraWeek

Australia

2.08/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Pours very pale yellow and very clear with a thin head that disappears quickly.

The initial smells can only be described as grainy. There is a slight orange citrus coming through – could do with some more power on the citrus side.

The sensation of the first mouthful is surprisingly bitter, strong and heavy for a lager which is fine by me. The problem is that the initial bitterness is replaced by the metallic taste that comes through with all too many lagers.

There is plenty of carbonation and you are left with a dry aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 22:14:36 | More by aBeeraWeek

heygeebee

Australia

2.8/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On-tap at where else - Bluetongue Stadium!

Reviewed in the context of Beer at the Football.

Firstly it isn't VB, so that's a good start.

It actually looks OK, head is a bit frothy, but OK. Filmy lace all over which is a plus as well. Served at Stadium temp means no nose.

Taste is refreshing, which is what you want as well. Macro, yes, bland, yes, but not offensive. Mouthfeel is a plus, well carbonated for style.

Won't be buying a case, tho....

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2011 22:46:50 | More by heygeebee

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.43/5  rDev +38.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Another Aussie Macro beer that aint half bad! That's right you english bitches...I used aint....and I aint gonna stop either! This beer poured Golden into a glass....style of glass I don't know and don't give a SHEET! Standard smell from a Macro brew....grain, yeast, etc. It did come off the palate dry, which to me leans more toward a Beck's/Pils Urquel grouping. SESSION....NO QUESTION! Stay parched my friends!

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2011 12:55:07 | More by WoodBrew

philphilphil

Australia

3.03/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

note to begin with, this bottle was terribly skunked.
Appearance is lager like clear yellow with little head remaining.
Smell is skunk, skunk, skunk, i suggest this'd be better straight from the bottle.
Taste is actually good for a lager, not complex but smooth.
Mouthfeel is satifactory, that is all.
Drinkability is, its cheap, not bad flavour, pretty average

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 00:00:01 | More by philphilphil

ADZA

Australia

2.03/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

This brew pours a see through urine colour with decent carbonation that leaves behind a fast vanishing one finger head and very little lacing,the aromas are horrible weak grains and flat wine which is almost very similar to a macro brew,it has a horrible overcarbonted mouthfeel which has body whatsoever and exudes tastes of weak grains again and some pale malts with a touch of light fruitiness right at the end,overall make no mistake this is as close to a macro brew that you will find and does not interest me at all i will avoid this brew at all costs i say you do the same.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2010 09:14:14 | More by ADZA

haningj2

South Carolina

1.27/5  rDev -48.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

This will be the lowest ranked beer I will ever review. If I ever find another beer that is more repulsive than this one, I may cut off my tongue with an electric meat carver.

There is nothing special about the appearance. Lots of action going on. Very light copper-ish color. Small lacing, small head.

Smells awful. Smells like a lizard fell into my car's air conditioner, died, stayed in there for 13 days and then I turned the AC on max.

I didn't finish this beer. It tastes like carbonated piss. In fact, this is the most carbonated beer I've ever had. Bud Light and Coors Light reign supreme over this beer. Blue Tongue literally tastes and feels more like club soda than actual beer. If anyone drank enough of this to become intoxicated, they should be shot on site.

Mouthfeel is just as bad. It tastes like licking a corroding battery. Its almost as if the brewery stole a bunch of pennies from the homeless, melted them and used them as ingredients in this beer.

The drinkability is rated low because you can't stomach this beer.

May God have mercy on the creators of this beer. There is certainly a special seat in hell for whoever came up with it.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2009 12:38:41 | More by haningj2

laituegonflable

Australia

2.23/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Pours a very pale colour like distilled urine, strong carbonation with minimal white head, retains thanks mainly to that strong carbonation. Lacing is a fairly standard streaky white. Looks alright.

Nose has a fair hit of hops with a strong POW aroma. Unpleasant sticky sweet fragrance rather like honey, but I think it's a rice adjunct aroma. Pretty standard and a bit unpleasant.

A strong sticky rice flavour on the mid-palate, quite insipid. Mostly saccharine with a bit of a very light phenolic hop towards the back. Finish is very bland, with not much, really doesn't have much of an aftertaste. A bit sweet is all, fairly boring and thin.

Mouthfeel is not too bad, a bit sticky for a pale lager though. A little bit of tingle saves it.

Not a great beer, adjuncty and dull, needs more of everything really.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2009 03:37:30 | More by laituegonflable

CrazyDavros

Australia

2.63/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Pale gold pour with a rapidly fading dismal head. Lively carbonation.
Aroma is of grainy malt, lemon juice and some faint grassy and metallic hops. Typical boring aussie lager.
Very similar flavours. Grainy aussie malt combining with a weak metallic bitterness threatens to block out any other flavours.
Active carbonation suits the style well.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2009 02:41:55 | More by CrazyDavros

istarilord

Hawaii

2.53/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Ouch, this was kind of a disappointing lager.

Light golden color with little head, very noticeable skunky smell at first, and on first couple of sips.

Skunkiness eventually gives way to a slightly malty flavor, with not much else happening.

As a plus, it has an OK finish & aftertaste, but not what I was hoping for (a lager to go with my roast chicken).

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2009 09:42:42 | More by istarilord

TubaManJack

Illinois

2.53/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Wow lot of hate for this beer, but hey its suppose to be a non offending lager for all those living in Oz. Its like a gateway beer but lets be serious its a quality limited taste/offending lager. But yes it didn't live up to any expectations.

Appearance- A very pale golden lager, its full of carbonation
Nose- None wait- Like a lager, with limited sweet carmel malt,
Taste- Initially nothing, rather its all about mouthfeel and slight bitterness. After much hunting, there is sweet malt and flavors. I agree with others in that there is something sharp/herbal&grassy in there.
Mouthfeel is nice and effervescent with a slick medium/light body.
Unlimited Drinkable- because of its great mouthfeel

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2009 09:15:15 | More by TubaManJack

charlesw

New York

3.48/5  rDev +40.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pale yellow. No head (sigh). Smells macro lagerish. That weird bitter ("crisp" and "clean") twinge, you know? But the taste is actually very pleasant. It is clean. Perhaps not quite so crisp, but it's a bit sweet, has a little body to it. Very pleasant drinking on warm (probably not hot) evenings on the bay...

But, hey, I'm also a sucker for the marketing aspects - I like the little lizard. The graphics on the glasses do it for me (it's the lizard again, of course).

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2009 10:58:21 | More by charlesw

aussielars

Australia

1.63/5  rDev -34%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

I paid premium dollar for this boutique priced, beer. Label say Tasmanian bittering hops and late imported Hallertauer hops. I think that means, cheap Pride of Ringwood for bittering, and that the Hallertauer missed the wort and spilled on the floor.

It poured with a nice big quick disappearing head.

Aroma is slightly grassy with a chemical smell that is so typical for Pride of Ringwood.

Taste is similar and a tad sweet,but quite drinkable if you drink it from the bottle close to freezing point. (stay away from glassware since you might inhale the skunk aroma)

It's quite lively with more head and effervescence then VB XXXX etc. But for $60 a carton it should be gnomes dancing on my palate. Last time I felt this stupid after purchasing a carton of beer must been when I bought a carton of Hahn Ice.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2009 12:33:47 | More by aussielars

Macca

Australia

2.6/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

This pours a clear golden colour. Minimal head and not a lot of visible carbonation.

I get a little bit of fruitiness but only when I give it a good shake up in the glass. Not a lot else.

Just a big glass of bland. A bit of sweetness in there which I think would get a bit too much after a while.

Not even anything to recommend it with regards to mouthfeel.

A very average brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2008 08:59:03 | More by Macca

WHROO

Australia

3.03/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Straw, 1 finger head...crisp, clean, amazing amount of carbonation - full on, like a spa bath nearly ;-)
S: Typical grassy lager hops, touch of fruityness. & they seem keen on using caramel in their beers
T: initial sweetness across the palate, carbonation a little milder than it looks...little fruity, followed by only a minute hint of hops bitterness to finish. Little dry, & does finish clean. Once again some caramel (their light has a heap of caramel)
M: Light to medium, crisp, & alive with carbonation.
D: very typical of a mainstream aussie macro lager...only a tad sweeter & fruitier. Still had that renowned dank chemical metallic aftertaste, but nowhere near as pronounced as VB, Melb etc. Maybe its our water!!!
Could drink more of this & would choose this over some other mainstream macros like VB, CUB, but maybe a little too alive in carbonation for me.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2008 07:38:16 | More by WHROO

LittleCreature

Australia

2.9/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - 3.0
Poured a finger and a half of white head that quickly reduced to a paper thin layer over a very pale straw body.

Smell - 2.0
Barely any aroma whatsoever, all I got was an odd chemical smell.

Taste - 3.0
The lack of off flavours and pride of ringwood metal puts this a cut above the macro lagers of Australia. Sadly, there is little other taste to recommend it by - sugary sweetness, faint husk and grain flavour, very little hop character or bitterness, and a dry finish with little aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - 3.0
Moderately carbonated, feels a little watery but goes down easily.

Drinkability - 3.5
Very easy to drink, sessionable too, but not for those who like their beer to have taste.

OVERALL - 2.85
The blokes at Bluetongue obviously believe in the philosophy that a blonde lager should be crisp, refreshing, and almost devoid of flavour. This said, I would rate this above Australian brewed Heineken and any Aussie macro lager you care to name with the exception of Boag's Draught. Not a bad beer, but hardly a craft beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2008 13:03:37 | More by LittleCreature

madvoice

Australia

3.38/5  rDev +36.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a medium straw colour with a finger width head that dissipated rather quickly. Has a rather fruity odour which reminds me of plums and cherries. It has a rather sweet flavour and is really light and refreshing on the palate. Very easy to drink and would be something suitable for a BBQ at the beach. I was pleasantly surprised with this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2007 10:22:37 | More by madvoice

Westsidethreat

California

2.5/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A: Light colored hay with a nest of bubbles at the bottom of the glass, releasing some to float to the surface. Head is a nice, snow white pillow resting on top of the body.

S: Astringent hops, slightly sour grains, little bit of skunk and coins.

T: Ugh. Tastes like white grape juice with a stale grainy aftertaste. Finishes copper with mineral aspects. Not going to spend anymore time on this.

M: Medium body with a lot of carbo sting.

D: The beers appearance had something going for it but it went downhill fast. I wonder if this beer didn't make the trip from down under gracefully. Regardless, its not very good and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2006 03:43:03 | More by Westsidethreat

vancurly

Australia

2.38/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Man I hate this beer and what it represents.

Bluetongue is (part ?)-owned by a prominent Sydney media player, and has been a remarkable success story in how one can convince the beer-swilling populace that they don't have to remain loyal to VB or New.

I wish I had a buck for every BBQ coversation I've had where the bloke says "Did you say you're into beer ? Have you tried that Bluetongue... jeez it's good".

So it's got a very, very big market: the brand-loyal beer drinker who is open to trying something "premium" (other than Crown Lager).

But for those who actually do know their ales from their lagers, it is a disappointing beer. Starts with nice grain & malt & hop aromas, but it all slips away into an incipid flavour & mouthfeel.

Stick to Cascade Premium Lager, is my suggestion.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2006 01:39:15 | More by vancurly

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +53.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Bluetongue's pale, straw gold lager is crystal clear and teeming with standard sized bubbles that race to the surface. The bright white head drops shortly, but a thin surface covering is maintained by the rising bubbles; and it does leave some nice rings of craggy lace in its wake.

The nose is lightly skunked (this has a green bottle, whereas their pilsner is brown), but not enough to overshadow its sweetish malt and remaining grassy hops.

In the mouth it's effervescent and crisp with a medium body.

The flavor is fuller than might be expected, and offers some lightly sweet and surprisingly grainy maltiness (I was expecting more adjunct) and grassy and floral hop flavors. It's backed by a solid bitterness, and it finishes dry with a quick passing note of grainy malt that fades to reveal some some residual hop flavor and bitterness.

Overall, this compares quite nicely with many European lagers. It's refreshing, rounded, and has enough character and integrity to keep it interesting and rewarding for more than one go round. Quite nice!

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2006 21:06:38 | More by NeroFiddled

DogFood11

California

2.23/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Green 12 oz bottle. Reptile on the label has a blue tongue. Quick blurb on the back claims its naturally brewed in the finest traditions of Australia's Hunter Valley. Ok, fair enough, I'm just curious what the fine tradition Hunter Valley has? Anyway on to the brew at hand. Poured into a pils glass it forms a decent fizz head that falls to a thin cover and spotty lace. The body of this brew is amazingly pale and ultra highly filtered, hardly a shade of color to this.

Light, sweet malts hit the palate first. Heavy Grainy, wheat, hay aspect to this and not all that clean to me. It's always been hard for me to describe most Euro Pales, there is something about them that reminds me of a baby's diaper type funkyness too them. Must be something in the malts I would guess because as with the others this is a fresh offering. A bit of a cooked vegetables on the backside. Finishes fairly crisp.

Notes: A long way for this beer to come to be average to below average, and at 4.9% delivered from great distances I can see this being short lived. All told it was one and done.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2006 00:34:38 | More by DogFood11

lacqueredmouse

Australia

2.95/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Lightish champagne gold. Filmy head, which disappears very quickly. Minimal lacing and carbonation. Quite insipid looking.

Sweet hoppiness on the nose, very light. Hints of honey, but rather reminiscent of a plain lager. It's ok, but a little bland.

Nice sharp entry on the palate. Crisp bitterness and a hint of lager yeastiness. Drops away very quickly to a watery aftertaste. It's remarkably bland, but I do believe it's better than the generic Australian swill. It's an easy drinking, rather forgettable beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2006 00:35:02 | More by lacqueredmouse

sulldaddy

Connecticut

2.65/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

I am drinking a bottle of this chilled in a pint glass.
The beer pours a bright clear gold color with bleached white head that foams up 1 cm and fades quickly to a thin sruface layer. The aroma is grainy malt and dominant skunkiness. uh oh!
First sip reveals lite to medium body with fine mild carbonation.
Flavor is starting sweet caramel and sugar witha bit of spicy and grassy hops moving in and then finishes grainy and husky malt. The skunk does not come through on the flavor much as the nose had advertised. A decent enough drinking beer that goes down easy. i wish it didnt smell so bad!

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2005 04:50:40 | More by sulldaddy

jarmby1711

Australia

3.6/5  rDev +45.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer hasa distinct hop smell to it which gives it a pleasantly sharp taste
There is real complexity to it.
It is pure pale gold in colour , and it the mouth it tingles and cleans the palate.
Its over priced for what it is but is more drinkable then any of the CUB range.
Drink it for a Sumer Lunch by the rive
Label 6/10

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2005 05:08:28 | More by jarmby1711

Kulrak

Australia

2.2/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a nice light straw color with an amazing tight creamy head. Smells slightly lightstruck. Damn green bottles! Not much else in the way of aroma. Tastes a little lightstruck too. Not much else in the way of flavor either. Has a nice full creamy texture, but doesn't make up for the flavor. All in all, it's not too bad, but not very good either. I'm really getting tired of flavorless beers (most of them seem to avoid flavor like the plague) and this one is just another flavorless beer. It's fairly drinkable, especially on a hot day, which I suppose is the point. Anyway, I won't be paying for this one again.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2005 11:19:30 | More by Kulrak

diablo14

Australia

1/5  rDev -59.5%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

i cant really say too much more about this beer other than whats already been said. its not a beer, its a marketing exercise, the likes of which puts even CUB to shame.

im not even convinced this is a beer. im not sure what it is....but surely all they have done is put something in it that makes it vaguely resemble a beer. its so light its in danger of blowing away in a stiff breeze. there is no smell, and it is one of the most tasteless ive ever come across. there is just nothing there. anywhere.

thing that annoys me is that the fancy label will get many of the less informed in to buy it. but i guess this is what they want. totally shameless...

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2005 11:54:25 | More by diablo14