McLaren Vale Brewing Co. IPA

Rating:

Vale IPA“AN AUSTRALIAN INTERPRETATION OF AN AMERICAN IPA, USING A COMBINATION OF HOPS FROM THREE COUNTRIES. GALAXY FROM AUSTRALIA, NELSON SAUVIN FROM NEW ZEALAND AND CITRA FROM UNITED STATES. MALT FLAVOURS ARE DERIVED FROM THE COMBINATION OF PALE, WHEAT AND CRYSTAL. VERY HOP FORWARD SHOWING STRONG PINE AND CITRUS NOTES, WITH STONE FRUIT AND PASSIONFRUIT CHARACTERS. THE MALT STRUCTURE IS BEAUTIFULLY MATCHED WITH THE DRY HOPPING, GIVING THIS BEER A REFINED BALANCE”.

A good IPA from the brewers at McLaren Vale breing co. Served in an IPA glass the amber pour offers good clarity. Atop, the quickly diminishing off white head leaves little lacing. Sitting at 5.5%, it sounds mild for an IPA, but the flavour backs it up. Mild, yet lovely passion fruit and peach aromas are balanced by a modest caramel malt backbone. Maybe a hint of marmalade and mandarin in there too. The mouth feel is soft and slightly dry with medium carbonation. Quite light on. This brew uses 3 types of undisclosed hops which produces a lovely stone fruit element to the palate…peach or apricot maybe? We also get faint hints of wine grapes. Clean, citrusy finish with decent length. Really sessionable beer here though as it’s smooth and not too bitter like most American-style IPA’s. Simple, yet effective. Great entry level IPA here.