“Sunrise Valley itself is a unique brew, I think for both of our breweries. It was an experiment in a totally hop free boil, relying instead on a massive dose of dry hop to deliver balancing bitterness, and huge flavour and aroma. The name is a reference to the idyllic spot in the Upper Moutere where Freestyle Farms grows their hops, and this brew is bursting with harvest fresh Nelson Sauvin and Rakau. This is the biggest dry hop addition we’ve ever done – so massive in fact that the beer delivered the most appalling yield with a huge amount of it soaked up in the hops.”
Glassware: IPA
Appearance: Proper turbid Dijon mustard kind of affair. A thumb of finely beaded head forms on top and retains reasonably well. Healthy lace as we go.
Aroma: Pow! This smells the goods. Lots of white peppery spice, frosty fruits, juice concentrate, mango puree, fennel, ripe pineapple, peach skins, grain husks, flambeed orange and other spicy herbs i.e basil, rocket etc. Kind of a dry and bready malt structure. This is shaping up to be an absolute corker.
Flavour: Like a replica of the aroma – oodles of juicy brekky fruits like mango, peach, pineapple and orange. White pepper and peppery herbs i.e fennel, basil and rocket in spades with a white bready/doughy malt filling it out. Epic finish of spicy herbals and soft juicy fruits with excellent duration.
Mouthfeel: Creamy AF! Soft and fluffy, finely carbonated. Where is the 8% ABV?! Completely hidden which is remarkable.
Overall: Wow this is 10x better than Aro St. The overall balance and ultra smooth creaminess is superb. Then there’s the depth of flavour. Brilliant stuff.