Your good taste in beer news

Two Birds India Pale Ale

The stars of this brew are the Aussie (Galaxy) and US (Cascade and Simcoe) hops. They generate wonderful mango and passionfruit notes which are so befitting the India Pale Ale style. Our tasters also picked up a bit of orange. While Taco is a favourite child at Two Birds this is arguably the best of the Melbourne brewery's stellar stable of beers. This is the US West Coast IPA you were seeking.

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ABV: 5.8%

$6.25 per 330ml can

Akasha Canada Bay Ale

The toughest element for a 4.2% beer is to generate flavour. Akasha has found the right formula with the Canada Bay Ale. The Galaxy hop is the key. And as a result, this brew has far better taste than the Canadian PM. It must be highlighted the name has more to do with Akasha’s Downunder location than the country north of the US. And this is a fine Australian Pale Ale.

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ABV: 4.2%

$6.30 per 375ml can

Noman Piccolo Stout

A bit like that afternoon pick me up coffee. And as usual there is a strong Italian influence on this Nomad beer. The Picolo Stout is milky sweet and at 4% it will easily pass for a bean brew. This is another accessible drink that should encourage those against Stouts to take a step on the dark side. The sip is also roasty which somehow feels like a great winter warmer.

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ABV: 4%

$4.95 per 375ml can

Bad Shepherd Victoria Pale Ale

It is enough to turn a Sandgroper back underground. But Bad Shepherd's experiment with a beer carrying the spirit of a State is well worth a taste for any Australian. A native yeast not used in a beer for 80 years has been resurrected for the brew and it is distinct - in a good way - midway through the sip. The ale also has a strong earthy undertone that is appreciated. No doubt it is Big V turf! Play on.

ABV: 4.2%

$3.50 per 375ml can

Wayward Funky Pineapple Hand Grenade

At 640ml Funky Pineapple Hand Grenade (6.5%) is to be shared. Yet it is just as good to be selfish with the bottle because the Brettanomyces becomes more delightful with every sip. But the yeast in the Hand Grenade won’t blow your palate. It takes some patience to fully appreciate what is on offer from this groovy number from the New South Wales team. But the effort is so worth it.

ABV: 6.5%

$16 per 640ml bottle

Beerfarm Black IPL

Beerfarm takes risks and that is why they have so many followers amongst WA brew consumers. The original IPL tested the boundaries and the paleness has been darkened with this roasty malt special. There is plenty of burnt toast in this tasty number that has a remarkably crisp finish that belies what hint gleaned from the drinkers' eye. And make sure you don't miss the delectable hoppy middle.

ABV: 6%

$7 per 375ml can

4 Pines Kiwi Brut IPA

It certainly has some hops with Maori names. So there is a New Zealand edge before the fruit was added. And while it might not be as dry as some others in the Brut style, this 4 Pines short-term release definitely has a spritzy finish on the back of the tongue. Taiheke, Riwaka, Wai-iti and Moutere gives this brew a tasty edged backed by some lashings of Kiwi fruit. Give this beer a good sniff because the aroma is delightful.

ABV: 7%

$12.00 per 500ml bottle

Mash Melon Felon

Combining wheat, watermelon and mint doesn't sound like an easy task. But Bradley Nolen has performed a perfect brewer's juggle by conjuring up Melon Felon. This is one of the best packages of the summer in which the beer is greater than the sum of its parts. The right amount of melon on the taste before subdued sharpness of the mint finishes off the taste. And the wheat underpins the brew. Top marks and more please!

ABV: 4.5%

$5.00 per 375ml can.

Beerfarm Asam Boi Gose

Take me to a hawkers hut in Singapore. The Beerfarm Asam Boi Gose has the saltiness to replace the sweat on a humid day walking up and down on Orchard Road before the sweetness of plums adds refreshment like picking the best from an Asian fruit bowl. There is something in this brew for everyone, a bit like our favourite metropolis to the north. This is a perfect brew for summer.

ABV: 4.5%

$6.00 per 375ml can.

Heroes and Villains IPA

There is a non-descript nature about one of WA's new breweries. Heroes and Villains emerged from the Oakover Wine Grounds in the Swan Valley about six months ago. The packaging on its can are far from over the top but it reflects the no-nonsense attitude to its beers. The IPA has marmalade and enough bitterness but won't cause too much of a mouth overload. Very accessible.

ABV: 5.8%

$6.00 per 375ml can.

Otherside Lo-Fi

Let's be honest about mid-strength beer. The success of any sub 4% brew is its ability to provide flavour. Too many don't. Step forward Otherside Brewing with Lo-Fi - a beverage punching well above its 3.5% ABV weight. Lo-Fi is a Wheat beer but has been dry-hopped with such aplomb that grapefruit crashes through just before the swallow. Lo Fi ticks all the right mid-strength boxes. This is a limited release, get in quick.

ABV: 3.5%

$5.00 per 375ml can.

Nail Super VPA

Behind every Clark Kent there is a Lois Lane and for Nail owner John Stallwood it was Clare Munro who did the super work to help produce the brewery's latest canned release. It was Clare who led the mission to peel 100kg of lemon and limes that went into this beauty that was first showcased at the 2017 GABS Fest. Super juicy with the Eldorado hops giving Super VPA a significant boost. A super effort that can leap tall buildings with a single bound.

ABV: 8.5%

$6.90 per 375ml can.

4 Pines Big Brekky Porter

The latest Keller Door Small Batch release from 4 Pines is a special first meal of the day. Although it is probably better to have on an already full stomach. There are slabs of Weetbix and a splash of Milo in the mix of this malty Porter, which has been pulled from the back of the cupboard for a short term revival.

ABV: 7%

$11 per 500ml bottles at good beer stores.

Coopers Session Ale Cans

The response when this beer was tested last year was so strong that Session Ale has now gone into package. What first strikes is the beautiful sky blue label, and it has helped the new brew become Coopers' second-best seller. Galaxy and Melba hops give this beer a tropical twang.

ABV: 4.2%

$58 per 24-pack carton at Liquorland

Little Creatures Extra Pale Ale

The brewery's Pale Ale is a pioneer of Australian craft beer and is still a classy example of the US west coast style. What better way to pay homage to the original than to deliver a brew just like it - but with buckets of Cascade, Willamette and Chinooks hops to provide a grapefruit and piney delight. 

ABV: 6.5%

$11.50 per 568ml bottle at Mane Liquor

Akasha Hopsmith IPA

Our team has a love affair with Simcoe and Amarillo hops. So, too, does Dave Padden at Akasha because he has used the two varieties so well in his homage to the US west coast India Pale Ale. Pine needles almost reach up and pull you down by the nose hairs into a slightly citrusy but also suitably bitter brew.

ABV: 7.2%

$7.50 per 375ml can at Mane Liquor

James Squire The Hop Father

The legacy lives on at James Squire as another incarnation of The Hop Father emerges around the country. Seventh decedents of James Squire and brothers Ben, Matt and Chris Cooper have given this favourite a little extra punch for our 2018 release, landing on a thirst-crushing pale ale, dry hopped with Denali and Eureka.

ABV: 4.7%

$22.50 per six-pack at Dan Murphy's stores.

Black Saison

Saison is one. For starters, it is Not all beers are easy fits for drinkers more familiar with the customary styles. a sour and that is something unusual for many beer fans. Black Brewing has taken that onboard and delivered a very accessible delight that has some yeast funk without ripping off the taste buds.

ABV: 4.8%

$5.50 per 330ml bottle at Cellarbrations stores.

Coopers Session Ale

In an era of new beers every week it is surprising Coopers haven't added a beer to its core range in 13 years. The break is over as the SA brewery delivers an easy-drinking beer. The aptly named Session Ale is backed by Galaxy and Melba hops and has the customary Coopers' yeasty influence.

ABV: 4.2%

On tap only around the country for a short time

Billabong Wheat Beer

Wheat beers have for a while had a strong link with WA beer drinkers. And this banana and clove special from Billabong continues the run. The beverage was judged the best in competition at the Perth Royal Beer Show in 2012 and 2016. This is a classic Bavarian style brew.

ABV: 5%

$22 per four-pack from Liquor Barons

Coopers Vintage Ale 2017

It is one of the great days of Australian beer. Each year Coopers delivers us a high ABV brew that features premium ingredients. While it is a good beer to drink now, the best part of the Extra Strong Vintage Ale is that it is different, some argue better, when given time to develop. 

ABV: 4.6%

$22 per four-pack from Copper and Oak.

Cheeky Monkey Australian Lager

Not a bad way to start a new release. This Aussie classic won a gold medal at the Perth Royal Beer Show before it had made it on to the shelves.  This is a traditional Lager but brewer Ross Terlick has raised the standard with Australian summer hops giving it a crisp finish. 

ABV: 4.6%

$16 per four-pack from Copper and Oak.

Coldstream Grand Porter

Coldstream Brewery gave the labels a bit of a tweak and the Grand Porter has gone full purple. At 4.5% this has plenty of dark malt goodness and is perfect for the this time of year. Smooth and dense with caramel and burnt toffee flavours this is certainly not showing the boozy edge of others in the style.

ABV: 4.8%

$20 per six-pack from selected Dan Murphys

Malt Shovel Karni Kolsch

Thanks to Malt Shovel, you can know enjoy a beer and fairy floss from the same glass. In the brewery's GABS festival beer Sheehan had the idea to blend the vanilla taste of the floss with a Kolsch. Tettnang, Hallertau, and Saaz hops blends with the pale and malted wheat bas to evoke the unique fairy floss flavour.

ABV: 5%

$20 per two-pack from MoCU online

Little Creatures Dreadnought

It's back. The old standard from the Fremantle beer factory had a rest after active duty in 2011 and 2015, was re-introduced as a cut-down model before returning with all guns blazing in the big bottle this month.  Six specialty roasted malts have gone into the mash with the finish coming from the Fuggle hops.

ABV: 7.2%

$15 per 640ml bottle from MoCU online

Riverside 77 IPA

Unfortunately it can be tough to track the Riverside 77 to a pub because it is super from the top. As a celebration of hops this works superbly. Not overly resiny and with a strong malt backbone that underpins this easy drinking brew. It also doesn't have too much bitterness on the back end, making it such an easy IPA to drink.

ABV: 7.7%

$5.90 per 330ml bottle from BoozeBud

White Rabbit Teddywidder

If the name doesn't spark interest then not a lot of beer will grab your attention. White Rabbit is making the most of its sour storage program by taking the regular White Ale and giving it the acidification treatment to make a pucker-up brew. There is the zing but nothing that will upset. Part of the MoCu curation program.

ABV: 3.1%

$19 per 750ml bottle from MoCu

Nail Brewing Australia VPA

For those old enough to remember the 1970s they can recall the rise of Aussie pavlova, often splashed with liberal doses of passionfruit. This summer delight from Nail brought back those memories. There is plenty of passionfruit in this drop and a strong splash of melon fruit to make it a great summer brew. This brute is hoppy. 

ABV: 6.5%

$7 per $375 can

Six String Brewing Co Dark Red IPA

This is certainly more ruby than red but what a wonderfully rich colour to draw in the drinker. But even then the hue comes from caramel malts so this could easily be considered in the very dark character.    Drink it blindfolded and you'd swear it was a good old gold IPA. Yet this is more. There are great caramel and toffee tones before the palate becomes awash in a tsunami of dry hopping.

ABV: 6%

$5.50 per 375ml can.

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The Little Brewing Company Citra IPA

Don't let the brewer's name lull you into a false sense of beer security. This IPA from TLBC packs a big punch. But Citra was born to be in this style of beer and this drop showcases the hop in all its glory. Citrus, pineapple and melon come through, supported by that resin element so synonymous with IPAs. This drop is also very easy drinking in spite of its alcohol content.

ABV: 6.5%

$8 per 330m bottle

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Kaiju Beer Robohop

Kaiju make bold beers. After all the company name means monster so there should be some challenge for drinkers. But Robohop - a hybrid hop-packed Golden Ale - also has a pleasant side. With the pineapple and citrus it feels as if the drinker has gone on a tropical holiday for the festive season.

ABV: 5.7%

$6 per 330ml bottle

La Sirene Sour Red

Aussie brewing is very fortunate to have Costa Nikias. Not only is he a fine beer maker but he is also providing wonderful examples of traditional varieties. The aroma of fruit and flower is complemented by striking acidity of the style. This is tart as it should be. But it leaves behind a pot pourri of rose and hibiscus.

ABV: 6.5% 

$9.70 per 375ml bottle

Bridge Road Brewers' Enigma Pilsner

A great aspect to a beer club is that a delivery comes to mark the seasons. The latest arrival in Bridge Road’s Posse Pack had a summer favourite. The Enigma hop underpins this brew which will sate a thirst but also reward the buds with a floral taste. This hop is well suited to this style and Ben Kraus showcases it in all its glory.

ABV: 5%

$6 per 330ml bottle

Barossa Valley Special Batch Chocolate Stout

Forget the wines. Some of the best things to come out of the Barossa Valley have a bit more froth to them. Barossa Valley Brewing's Stout sensation has so much flavour it is a wonder it can fit in the small can. There is an overwhelming caramel chocolate feel before a traditional coffee taper. With oats thrown in this is quite a mix.

ABV: 7%

$5.40 per 330ml can

4 Pines Hoppy Doppelbock

First Australian brew tried after five weeks in the US was latest in 4 Pines' Keller Door series. Manly's favourite brewery love to give these special releases a tickle of creativity and this continues the trend. Just don't expect it to be a mammoth hop bomb. It is a nice blend of a German classic with some new world flavour thrown in.

ABV: 7.5%

$11.50 per 500ml bottle

Stone and Wood Forefathers Doppelbock

The team at Stone and Wood have been paying tribute to craft beer's local roots with an excellent Forefathers series.  The latest in the spotlight is Willie Simpson, who was writing about beer long before it was cool.  Simpson and Stone and Wood's Brad Rogers settled on a German favourite for the new drop. This brew has chocolate, a bit of nuttiness and wonderful rich fruits. Not your usual Lager.   

ABV: 7%

11 per 500ml bottle

Blackman Brewing's Reginald IPA

Our man in the office loves that a beer has finally been named after him. We're positive Blackman's Brewery have never heard of our Reg but it is nice to know they have made an IPA worthy of his taste buds. Reginald IPA is as fruity as a mardi gras with that final bitter kick to remind the drinker who is boss.  This is very much of the US IPA variety and it is following the American trend of going into cans.

ABV 6.4%

$5.50 per 330ml can

Mornington Peninsula Dog’s Bollocks

What's this item about? What makes it intThere is no doubt the latest in MPB's tinnage series has balls. The Extra Special Bitter has been boosted by nitrogen to give the beer some extra grunt. But don't think of this as a frothfest. This addition makes Dog's Bollocks a smooth brew in mouthfeel before the bitterness at the end. It could also be considered man's best friend. 

ABV 6.2%

$7 per 330ml can

Stone and Wood Big Scrub

A prominent WA judge said this week that Lagers are going to be big in craft beer in 2017. It would be wise for future makers to try the fruity Big Scrub to learn about how to make a beer of the style with plenty of taste. Dry hopping gives this beer a great edge. Influenced by German and Czech Pilsners but with a new world twist. 500ml.

ABV 5.5%

$10 per 500ml bottle

4 Pines Double Cascadian Dark Ale

Thanks to the wonderful people of N-W USA (and parts of Canada) for providing us with this style. Close your eyes and you'd swear this was an amber nectar. Plenty of hops from the Land of the Free makes this beer tick so well. There is plenty of dark malts that provide a great foundation for this brew before those green bulbs kick in. Hits 80 IBU. Got plenty of alcohol.

8% ABV.

$10 per 500ml bottle

Matso's Rare Release Ginger Barley Wine

This was always one for today and one for tomorrow when released last year. And it will only get better over next six to 12 months. No reason why it can't last longer. Alcohol can be tasted but the ginger stands out very early to balance. The Barley Wine effect hits late. It is one for the sippers. Would go well with a smokers jacket and pair of slippers.

ABV 11%

$15 per 500ml bottle

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