Dark Revolution Space Ghost Hazy Pale Ale 4.9% VG
Dark Revolution’s Space Ghost Hazy Pale Ale is an effortlessly smooth and juicy beer, perfect for those who enjoy a tropical fruit punch in every sip. At 4.9% ABV, it provides a soft mouthfeel and a rich, hazy appearance that’s characteristic of the hazy pale ale style. The malt bill isn’t overly heavy, allowing the hops to take centre stage. On the hot side, Saaz and Citra hops contribute a bright, citrusy aroma, while the cold side blend of Talus and Galaxy hops introduces vibrant flavours of peach, tropical passionfruit, and pink grapefruit. Together, these hops deliver a beer bursting with tropical fruit character, without overwhelming bitterness. The addition of subdued cedar adds an intriguing layer of complexity, providing a mild woody undertone that balances the beer’s sweetness.
Interesting Fact: Space Ghost is an excellent example of how modern hop combinations can transform a classic pale ale. Saaz, traditionally known for its earthy, herbal qualities, is combined with the tropical punch of Citra, Talus, and Galaxy hops to create a complex yet approachable beer. The inclusion of cedar, while unusual for a pale ale, adds a nuanced layer of woodiness, making this brew an exciting and slightly adventurous take on the hazy pale ale style.
Food Pairings: Space Ghost pairs wonderfully with fresh, light dishes. Try it with a grilled chicken salad featuring citrus vinaigrette, where the beer’s fruity and citrus notes will complement the tanginess of the dressing. It also works well with seafood, particularly grilled prawns or a tuna tartare, where the beer’s tropical fruit character enhances the freshness of the dish. For something heartier, enjoy it with a pork belly sandwich, where the beer’s mild bitterness and fruitiness will balance the richness of the meat.
Full Circle Magical Bike Ride XPA 4.0% VG
Full Circle’s Magical Bike Ride is their first Extra Pale Ale (XPA), and it sets a high bar for the style. At 4.0% ABV, this XPA is a perfect balance of lightness and flavour. The beer pours a pale golden colour, with a bright, crisp appearance. The hops—Chinook, Hallertau Blanc, and Luminosa—create a delightful burst of lemongrass aroma that immediately grabs your attention, followed by juicy peach and candied orange flavours that develop as the beer hits the palate. The body is light and clean, with just the right amount of malt sweetness to support the vibrant hop character. The finish is crisp and refreshing, making this beer incredibly sessionable and ideal for warm weather.
Interesting Fact: Magical Bike Ride is a prime example of the growing popularity of XPAs, which sit somewhere between pale ales and IPAs in terms of both flavour and alcohol content. The use of Hallertau Blanc hops, known for their distinct tropical fruit and white wine characteristics, adds a unique twist to the beer’s profile. This, combined with the citrus-forward Chinook hops and the juicy peach and orange from Luminosa, makes it a wonderfully complex yet easy-drinking beer.
Food Pairings: Magical Bike Ride is a fantastic pairing for light, fresh foods. Try it with a goat cheese and beetroot salad, where the beer’s citrusy lemongrass notes will complement the earthy sweetness of the beets. It also pairs beautifully with seafood dishes like grilled white fish or scallops, where the beer’s hop profile will enhance the delicate flavours of the seafood. For a more indulgent pairing, enjoy it with a spicy chicken tikka, where the beer’s freshness will balance the heat of the curry.
Phantom New Obsession Pale Ale 4.9%
Phantom’s New Obsession Pale Ale is a beautifully balanced beer that showcases the synergy between hops and time. At 4.9% ABV, this pale ale pours a pale amber with a slight haze. The nose is dominated by a blend of Amarillo, Mosaic, Nelson Sauvin, and Citra hops, which come together to create a vibrant medley of citrus, tropical fruit, and floral notes. On the palate, the beer is crisp and clean, with juicy pineapple, mango, and citrus fruit flavours upfront, followed by a mild bitterness that lingers pleasantly on the finish. The malt profile is subtle, allowing the hops to take centre stage, but it provides enough body to give the beer a smooth, well-rounded finish.
Interesting Fact: The hop combination in New Obsession is a well-loved mix of both American and New Zealand hops, each contributing their unique flavour profile. Amarillo and Citra bring citrus and tropical fruit flavours, while Mosaic and Nelson Sauvin add a complexity of floral and earthy notes, making the beer multi-layered and exciting. The careful control of time and temperature during the brewing process ensures the hop character is fully expressed, resulting in a beer that highlights the best of both worlds.
Food Pairings: New Obsession pairs wonderfully with bold, flavourful foods. Try it with a grilled lamb burger or a smoky barbecue chicken, where the beer’s fruitiness will complement the richness of the meat. It also works well with a fresh seafood platter, particularly with oysters or prawns, where the beer’s crisp finish will enhance the freshness of the shellfish. For a more casual pairing, enjoy it with a pizza topped with fresh vegetables and citrusy dressing, where the beer’s tropical fruit flavours will add a refreshing contrast to the pizza’s richness.
Siren Craft Brew Intergalactic Lumina DDH Session IPA 5.3% VG GF
Siren Craft Brew’s Intergalactic Lumina DDH Session IPA is a flagship beer that represents the brewery’s innovative approach to brewing. At 5.3% ABV, it is a soft, hazy, and crushable IPA that packs a punch without the heavy bitterness often found in traditional IPAs. The beer is double dry-hopped with Galaxy and Strata hops, resulting in an explosion of tropical fruit flavours, particularly peach, tropical berries, and citrus. The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, thanks to the low carbonation and hazy texture. The beer finishes crisp and refreshing, making it the perfect session IPA for those who want flavour without the high ABV.
Interesting Fact: Lumina has become Siren Craft Brew’s best-selling beer since its launch in 2020, and it’s easy to see why. The double dry-hopping technique, which involves adding hops during both the fermentation and conditioning stages, results in a more intense hop aroma and flavour without increasing the bitterness. The combination of Galaxy and Strata hops is particularly exciting, as they bring tropical fruit notes that make this beer bright and fresh, with just a hint of earthy complexity.
Food Pairings: Intergalactic Lumina is ideal for pairing with fresh, vibrant dishes. Try it with a light seafood ceviche or a citrus-infused crab salad, where the beer’s fruity flavours will complement the freshness of the dish. It also works wonderfully with grilled chicken, particularly with a mango salsa or a citrus marinade, where the beer’s tropical character enhances the sweetness of the fruit. For a more indulgent option, enjoy it with a grilled cheese sandwich or a fresh Caprese salad, where the beer’s smooth mouthfeel and hop profile add a delightful contrast to the richness of the cheese.
Blue Monkey Pac-Man Weisse 4.0%
Blue Monkey's Pac-Man Weisse is a Berliner Weisse that brings a delightful twist to the classic style. At just 4.0% ABV, this beer is light, crisp, and refreshing, with the perfect balance of tartness and fruitiness. The beer pours a pale, hazy yellow with a thin, white head, releasing aromas of fresh pineapple and zesty ginger. On the palate, the sharp tartness typical of a Berliner Weisse is balanced by the sweet, tropical fruitiness of pineapple puree. The root ginger adds a pleasant, spicy warmth that lingers on the finish, enhancing the beer's refreshing qualities without overpowering it. The overall experience is smooth and easy-drinking, making it an ideal choice for a summer day or as a palate cleanser between richer dishes.
Interesting Fact: Berliner Weisse is a traditional German sour wheat beer that has been brewed for centuries. Typically low in alcohol and intensely refreshing, the style is often enjoyed with flavoured syrups to enhance its fruity tartness. Pac-Man Weisse takes a unique approach by infusing the beer with both root ginger and pineapple puree, elevating the complexity and adding an extra layer of warmth and fruitiness. This blend of flavours makes it a contemporary take on the classic Berliner Weisse.
Food Pairings: Pac-Man Weisse pairs beautifully with light, fresh dishes. Try it with a simple goat cheese salad, where the beer’s acidity and fruitiness will complement the tangy cheese. It also works wonderfully with grilled seafood, like shrimp or scallops, where the beer’s crispness will enhance the delicate flavours of the fish. For a snack pairing, enjoy it with spiced nuts or lightly salted popcorn, where the beer’s ginger warmth and tartness will balance the salty flavours.
SALT Blackcurrant Krush Fruited Sour 4.5% VG
SALT's Blackcurrant Krush is a fruited sour that packs a serious punch in terms of both flavour and refreshment. At 4.5% ABV, this beer is juicy, tart, and downright sessionable. The colour is a deep, vibrant purple, and the nose is bursting with the rich, tangy aroma of blackcurrants. On the palate, Blackcurrant Krush is incredibly juicy, with the blackcurrants providing a tangy burst of fruitiness that is both tart and slightly sweet. The sourness is bright and clean, cutting through the richness of the fruit and leaving a crisp, refreshing finish. The beer’s moderate alcohol content and vibrant flavour make it an ideal choice for easy drinking.
Interesting Fact: Blackcurrants are known for their high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C, and they are often used in beverages for their bold, tangy flavour. SALT has taken full advantage of these qualities by creating a beer that showcases the fruit’s sharp, tart profile. This fruited sour combines the refreshing acidity of blackcurrants with the complex, funky characteristics of a sour beer, offering a lively and satisfying drink.
Food Pairings: Blackcurrant Krush is perfect for pairing with fresh, summery dishes. Try it with a goat cheese salad or a fruit-forward cheese platter, where the tartness of the beer will complement the creamy cheese. It also works wonderfully with chargrilled chicken, where the beer’s acidity contrasts with the savoury richness of the meat. For dessert, enjoy it with a lemon meringue pie or a berry sorbet, where the beer’s blackcurrant flavours will enhance the fruitiness of the dessert.
Vault City Sugar Plum Spritz Plum, Grape & Cherry Cocktail Sour 4.5% VG
Vault City's Sugar Plum Spritz is a cocktail-inspired sour that combines juicy plum, grape, and cherry flavours in a beautifully balanced brew. At 4.5% ABV, this beer is crisp, refreshing, and bursting with fruitiness. The beer pours a light pink, almost sparkling, with a fizzy carbonation that makes it feel like a fizzy, fruity cocktail. The plum flavour is prominent, providing a rich, sweet base, while the grape and cherry add layers of tartness and complexity. The wine grape juice enhances the beer’s vinous character, making it feel almost like a spritz or a sangria in beer form. The finish is clean and crisp, with a slight sweetness that balances the tartness of the fruit.
Interesting Fact: The idea for Sugar Plum Spritz came from the growing trend of cocktail-inspired sour beers, where brewers are taking inspiration from popular mixed drinks and infusing them into the beer world. The combination of plums, grapes, and cherries is particularly notable because these fruits work together to create a beer that is both sweet and tart, with a complexity that mirrors the layered flavours of a cocktail. The use of wine grape juice adds a touch of sophistication and depth to the sour beer style.
Food Pairings: Sugar Plum Spritz is an excellent pairing for light, fruity dishes. Try it with a goat cheese salad with fresh berries, where the beer’s fruitiness will complement the tangy cheese. It also pairs well with grilled seafood, especially shellfish like prawns or lobster, where the beer’s crisp finish will enhance the natural sweetness of the seafood. For dessert, enjoy it with a fresh fruit tart or a citrus sorbet, where the beer’s refreshing acidity and fruit flavours will complement the dessert’s sweetness.
Farm Yard Stay Crumble Plum & Apricot Sour 4.5%
Farm Yard’s Stay Crumble is a fruit-forward sour inspired by the comforting flavours of a classic fruit crumble. At 4.5% ABV, this beer is rich and fruity, with the tangy sweetness of plums and apricots leading the way. The beer pours a hazy amber, with aromas of baked fruit, vanilla, and a hint of creaminess. On the palate, the fruit flavours are front and centre, with the plums providing a tart, juicy kick and the apricots adding a smooth, mellow sweetness. The lactose and vanilla add a creamy, dessert-like quality, balancing the tartness and giving the beer a smooth, satisfying finish that’s reminiscent of a warm fruit crumble topped with custard.
Interesting Fact: The use of lactose in Stay Crumble is key to achieving the smooth, creamy mouthfeel that makes this beer feel like a dessert in a glass. Lactose, a milk sugar that doesn’t ferment in beer, adds sweetness and body without contributing to alcohol content. The combination of plums, apricots, and vanilla gives this sour a well-rounded, dessert-inspired character, making it a beer that is both refreshing and indulgent.
Food Pairings: Stay Crumble is a natural match for rich, dessert-like foods. Try it with a classic apple crumble or a fruit tart, where the beer’s tart fruit flavours complement the sweetness of the dessert. It also pairs well with a soft, creamy cheese like brie or camembert, where the beer’s fruitiness will enhance the richness of the cheese. For a savoury option, enjoy it with a roasted pork dish with a fruit glaze, where the beer’s fruity sweetness will balance the richness of the meat.