Your good taste in beer news

4 Pines Kiwi Brut IPA

Brut IPA. 7%. 500ml bottle

Beached as in the Pacific and slinging choice flavours as big as rugby players, comes this skux deluxe New Zealand taste sensation for a new generation of IPA’s. Born deep within the hobbit holes and guarded by Tolkienesque cave trolls, it’s a chilly-bin worthy mean-as Kiwi Brut IPA. With 100% NZ hops and Kiwifruit from way out in The Wops, the spritzy light body will have you dreaming of the land of the long white cloud before nek-minute the dry finish chills you to the bone.  WHERE: Just about everywhere.  07/02/19

Blasta The Cat's Whiskers

Pale Ale. 4.8%. Can/keg release

This brew has been around for just three months but it has quickly made its way into Blasta Brewing's growing can range. There is a sublime mix of strawberry and vanilla - a blend that would make any feline purr with passion. A little bit of mouth puckering at the close but this brew only hits 11 IBU so there isn't an overload of bitterness.  A great variation of the Pale Ale style and it was keenly sought when put into package. WHERE: Blasta Brewery and good stockists. Soon to be available on the east coast.  07/02/19

Heroes and Villains I Almost Bought You Flowers

Red Ale. 6.2%. Keg release

As Valentine's Day approaches this is a brew that might warm the heart of your significant other - especially if they are beer inclined. The latest release from Heroes and Villains, which is planning its new brewpub venue in South Fremantle. This is a Red IPA - a step up for the relatively new WA brewing team. Grassy, with a lightly floral edge and backed by Columbus hops. WHERE: Refuge Small Bar, Cellarbrations Superstore, Rodney's Bait and Tackle, 21st Amendment Bar, Oakover Grounds. 07/02/19

Feral Disco Sour

Ale. 4.2%. Keg release

One of the great aspect to the Feral Brewhouse in the Swan Valley is the level of experimentation. Will Irving is constantly putting beer to trial. His latest concoction targets his passion for sours. Feral's first Brewpub release for the year is a tart and spritzy sour ale. Brewed with stacks of local raspberries and pomegranates. Slightly hazy with a subtle pink hue and a light sourness that makes it's so damn crushable.  WHERE: This is worth a trip to the Baskerville base for taste. 31/01/19

Rocky Ridge Ryes Against

India Pale Ale. 6.66%. Keg/375ml cans

It seemed only last week we were talking about a Rocky Ridge new release. That's right it was. That brings a wry smile for a Rye beer. Ryes Against the lack of bitterness! The appearance is all haze but don't be fooled by it's charming good looks, this beast packs a punch. Huge hop aromas are complemented by a subtle spice from the Rye making this beer very well balanced. WHERE: From a range of good beer shops and available from Darleens in Busselton, just down the road from the brewery. 31/01/19

James Squire Hop Father 2019

Pale Ale. 4.8%. Keg release

This label has been around for a couple of years and there is always some anticipation on its yearly re-release to determine variations in the beer. This version has a delicious juicy fruit flavour from the Galaxy, Ella, Citra and Amarillo hops. A portion of wheat provides extra refreshment while the four Australian and US hop varieties provide an enticing aroma and bountiful flavour with a moderate bitterness. WHERE: This is best enjoyed at the Generous Squire in the Perth CBD. 31/01/19

Innate Thunderstruck

India Pale Ale. 6%. Keg release

Released in time for Australia Day this is an homage to one of Fremantle's finest - ACDC's Bon Scott. Sure it was around about the same time last year but it is back with a little bit refinement. A big pineapple and passionfruit aroma is followed by a round and slightly sweet malt profile, with a clean bitterness cutting through and a dry finish. WHERE: It is floating around The Norfolk, Balmoral, BARK Subiaco and Sail and Anchor. You can some at Ashby Liquor Store, Marmion Village Cellars and Cellarbrations Superstore. 31/01/19

Beerland Saltwater Croc

Gose. 5.4%. Keg release

Plenty of grapefruit. Indeed, there were 130 hand zested citrus circles put in the 900 litre batch. This delicious unfiltered very pale, zesty and salty beer is immensely refreshing and balanced. The use of flaked salt in an otherwise soft water profile balances out the acidity from kettle souring and the massive amount of grapefruit zest thrown in the fermenter leaves a bright citrusy finish. WHERE: This received great support at the Northbridge and Whitfords Beer Clubs. Available from both venues for a short time only. 24/01/19

Thorny Devil Mandurah Local Lager

Australian Lager. 4.2%. Keg/330ml bottles

Brewed with finest Australian Malts and local rainwater, it is well-rounded in flavour, with an emphasis on crispness. The moderate bitterness and subtle fragrance of the hops allow for the pale malts to shine through at the beginning of the sip, and then comes in to cleanse the palate with a dry and bitter aftertaste. WHERE: Catch 22, Funky Mexican Cantina, Hog's Breath Cafe, Pinjarra Racecourse, Pinjarra Trots, Minibar Rockingham, The Sporting Globe and Cape Bouvard Winery and Brewery. 24/01/19

Rocky Ridge Karl's Date Turns Sour

Berliner Weisse. 3.2%. Keg/375ml cans

Poor Karl. First he needed assistance in an earlier Rocky Ridge brew now he has been treated badly in love. But there is nothing unromantic with this beer, particularly when it was consumed in high volumes on a very hot day at the recent Perth Beer Fest. Just sour enough to be very pleasant but it won't suck your cheeks into your mouth. WHERE: This is available on both tap and in vessels at many liquor stores across the State. Both like most Rocky Ridge brews it is around for a short time. 24/01/19

Nail Red Ale

Amber Ale. 6%. Keg/375ml cans

It has been around almost five years but there was considerable excitement with the news John Stallwood had decided to put this multi-award winner into aluminium. The Citra hops first hit on the nose before the dry hopping provides such a great balance to the malt of the style. This vessel is going to be striking on any bottle shop shelf - even more so than a Coca Cola can. WHERE: At a plethora of outlets, including soon to be in Dan Murphy's. The keg remains in circulation, especially at Bassendean Hotel. 24/01/19