For those of us who enjoy a nice red with dinner or the ahh moment when the warmth of good liquor runs down the back of our throats around the campfire, there’s a bunch of options.
- Wine Sachets: These commercially available little foil wonders are found in some of the bigger bottle shops. In the past, the wine has been of questionable quality, so if you are fussy – these (like the casks) probably aren’t for you. [However, I’ve heard recently that they’ve improved, so please comment if you’ve had some experience.] Pros: Handy, minimal rubbish Cons: Quality?, punctures, weight. Rating: 4/10.
- Wine Casks: Us Aussies are good at inventing things. More often than not it’s from sheer necessity, rather than an interest in stylish design. So along with the Hills Hoist,
4 litre wine bladder ready for water the Victa Lawnmower and the Cochlear Implant, us Aussies developed the infamous wine cask… or ‘goon’ if you’re going to get colloquial. Multiple uses here of course, as the 2-4 litres wine bladders can be re-used for carrying water. It just takes a few trips before your thirst up a steep hill on a hot day is no longer quenched with the dregs of a dodgy Cabernet Merlot or Semillion Chardonnay. Pros: Cheap, enough for you and all your friends. Cons: Quality?, weight, punctures. Rating: 3/10.
- The Good Stuff: Believe it or not, there is a direct connection between the Pump brand water bottles and a good bottle of red… they’re both 750mls.
Honestly, if you are thinking of taking the good stuff out in glass bottles… you need your head read. An empty glass wine bottle weighs just over 400 grams and I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be carrying nearly half a kilo of dead weight on my back. Pros: A good red with dinner. Cons: If you get generous and pass it around there’s not much left for you. Only really good for one night. Rating: 8/10.- More Bang for your Buck: It’s logical that if you want to carry lighter stuff, but still enjoy a drink (especially for more than just one night) a higher percentage of alcohol is required. Personally, I’ve been introduced to the delights of a few sips of Cointreau after a meal (I mix mine with a little water as I find it pretty strong) thanks to the
‘fabulous Frenchies’ in my club (thanks Vivien & Emmanuelle!). Also, our club has it’s own drink (well they like to claim it anyway) which is LRB – Not the band… the drink (see recipe below). When made with OP rum it is a true delight. (Pros: Lighter, longer, stronger, faster. Cons: Hangover. Rating: 9/10.
LRB – Lemon Rum (Barley)
- 1 packet Vitafresh Lemon Powder or if you can still find it Robinsons Lemon Barley
- Good slosh of OP rum
- Billy of hot water
Mix up the Lemon Powder in the billy of hot water to the instructions on the pack. Pour in a good slosh of Rum and Bob’s your uncle… after a few of these, he will also be your Aunt.
- Bear seen in Aussie bush!
