Castlemaine XXX Sparkling Ale

sanders4_ · Post by **sanders4_** » Monday Apr 11, 2005 11:04 am

Hey guys,

This one goes out to the queenslanders out there, or anyone thats tried this Castlemaine's XXX Sparkling Ale. I was on holidays in Cairns and picked up some XXX sparkling ale in a bottle shop, that was the end of 2003 and the beer has still left an impression.

It was released to commerate their 125 anniversary of brewing but was only sold for a short time (same recipe used in 1878!). I've asked the home brew shops in Canberra, but no-one has heard of it, let alone tried it.

If anyone could help me out with a recipe that could match this ale or style of ale, i would be forever endebited! As i just have no idea where to begin.

Cheers guys!

This site page has a picture of the bottle to jog our memories!
http://www.riverviewendo.com.au/beer/beer1095.htm

Here is a link to the Castlemaine history page with the information about the beer (scroll down the bottom to 1878).
http://www.lion-nathan.com/our+companie ... istory.htm

anti-fsck · Post by **anti-fsck** » Monday Apr 11, 2005 2:12 pm

I think you're missing an X somewhere ... unless it was better than sex?

sanders4_ · Post by **sanders4_** » Monday Apr 11, 2005 7:13 pm

no no, haven't missed an X, think you know that already...

definately XXX sparkling ale. old school!

anti-fsck · Post by **anti-fsck** » Tuesday Apr 12, 2005 1:12 am

Heh, sanders4_, didn't know about the medieval beer-rating system. I opted for a five-tier rating system for my beers that's a bit more complicated than a string of Xs.
The question now is: Is Castlemaine XXXX deserving of its XXXX?