By Andrew Starke
Freemantle microbrewer Matilda Bay has unleashed Big Helga on the Australian market in time for Oktoberfest as a tribute to her Germanic roots.
The Munich style lager is now available on tap at some Sydney and Melbourne pubs and plans are in place to expand distribution across Australia.
The beer is said to be strong-bodied, well-rounded and full of character with a fruity and fresh aromatic taste.
Legend has it that a Matilda Bay brewer went to Munich over Oktoberfest where he met and fell in love with a lofty blonde beer maid named Helga who could carry 12 steins of beer at a time.
While the brewer hoped that Helga would accompany him back home, she never arrived and so, heartbroken, he brewed a beer in her honour.
Big Helga is presently only available on tap but Matilda Bay has plans to extend the brand into bottles if it proves successful.
Beer fans in Melbourne were introduced to Big Helga this week when the beer made its debut at The Corner Hotel in Richmond. An invitation only event saw guests served the lager by Big Helga herself.
Big Helga can be found on tap at the following pubs and bars in NSW: Albion Place Hotel; Aurora Hotel; Beach Rd Hotel; Bungalow 8; Green Park Hotel; King O’Malley’s; Local Taphouse; Loft; Mary Ellen Hotel; Mean Fiddler; Orient; The Australian and The Clock.