“This medium bodied Red IPA with a decent bitterness. Caramel, toffee & rich roasted flavours combined with aromas of pine & citrus from Chinook, Amarillo & Mosaic hops are a perfect combo.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Super deep amber with copper highlights. It forms two fingers of finely beaded foam which retains well. Excellent lace work left on the glass.

Aroma: Massive sweet malt presence – oodles of toffee and caramel, butterscotch and crystallised sugars but as any good Red IPA should, the hop profile immediately cuts through the sweetness with its sharp notes of ruby grapefruit, blood orange, pine, stewed fruits and weedy/sappy resins. Getting some spicy-ness from it too. Smelling the goods thus far!

Flavour: It’s been flipped really well. Upfront it kicks off with an assertive hop bitterness then shifts right into the pithy and citric grapefruit and rind, resinous pine and weedy herbals. The malts are never far behind though, swiftly counteracting with toffee, caramel and butterscotch. This tussle reaches well into the sweet yet rather aggressively bitter finish.

Mouthfeel: Gelatinous, slightly chewy and well rounded with a sturdy bitterness post swallow. Medium body and Co2. The 6.4% ABV comes in and out.

Overall: This one came recommended and we must say we can see why. It’s our first crack at this Victorian brewery and they’ve kicked it off in style. Nicely balanced, full flavoured and with a bit of grunt which we like. Solid drop.