Guys, guys, guys - a great thread, I don't know where to start.
Living on the Mud Isle, I guess I'm spoilt for choice. In a savour the complexity and flavour occassion, I'm usually hitting the vino - but will now consider re-exploring some of the Belgian beers. Was in Brussels recently on business and hit the Duvel.
I've managed to get used to, and even like, some of the indigenous warm flat stuff (playing cricket and rugby, there was no choice some times, and it's easy to skull!).
The key there is to match the weather/mood to the colour/flavour. The darker heavier stuff is really meant for mid winter in a fire lit pub and gale outside. Speckled Hen would fit in there. In an Aussie climate look for something much lighter with a golden colour; Summer Lightning, Discovery, Honey Dew etc. They're meant to be a little cooler as well.
However, I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder and one of my constant quests is to get hold of Aussie beer over here. Amazing what memories a taste brings back! I left Oz so long ago that Hahn Premium was still an independent boutique beer when I left and I'm still loyal! However, the only Oz brew you can regularly and easily get over here is VB, so there's a six pack of that in the fridge looking very nervous should we win today!
Oh, and when in RSA Windhoek goes down a treat!