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.
Howling Hops Single Hop No.8 Strata Pale Ale 4.8% VG
Howling Hops’ Single Hop No.8 Strata Pale Ale is a beautifully juicy and flavourful beer that lets the Strata hop shine. At 4.8% ABV, this pale ale pours a hazy golden colour, releasing aromas of strawberry, passionfruit, and bubblegum. On the palate, the beer delivers an exciting burst of tropical fruit, with the sweet and tart flavours of strawberry and passionfruit leading the way. There’s also a slight hint of bubblegum and herbal notes that add complexity to the beer. The malt base is soft and smooth, providing just enough sweetness to balance the hop-forward flavour, and the finish is clean and refreshing.
Interesting Fact: Strata hops are a relatively new hop variety that has quickly gained popularity for its unique flavour profile, which combines tropical fruit flavours like passionfruit and strawberry with earthy, herbal notes. The hop’s versatility makes it perfect for pale ales, as it imparts a burst of fruitiness without overpowering the beer. Howling Hops’ Single Hop No.8 series allows different hops to take centre stage, showcasing the diverse flavours each variety can offer.
Food Pairings: Single Hop No.8 pairs excellently with fresh, fruit-forward dishes. Try it with a citrusy shrimp salad or grilled tuna, where the beer’s tropical fruit flavours will complement the fresh fish. It also works well with a fruit cheese board, especially one featuring fresh berries and soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese, where the beer’s fruity and herbal notes will enhance the cheese’s creaminess. For a more indulgent pairing, enjoy it with a spicy barbecue chicken pizza, where the beer’s crisp finish will balance the heat of the sauce.
Burning Sky Easy Answers IPA 6.0%
Burning Sky’s Easy Answers IPA is a luscious, clean-drinking IPA that balances full-bodied flavour with a restrained bitterness. At 6.0% ABV, this IPA is smooth and drinkable, with a soft malt base that allows the hops to shine. The beer is dry-hopped with a blend of piney and citrusy hops, delivering a generous aroma of pine needles, citrus zest, and tropical fruits. On the palate, it’s smooth and balanced, with a clean finish that makes it highly drinkable, even at its moderate ABV. The beer’s subdued bitterness makes it perfect for those who enjoy a hop-forward beer that isn’t too harsh.
Interesting Fact: Easy Answers uses a combination of hops known for their piney, resinous qualities, which are a signature of many classic IPAs. The clean malt bill allows the hops to take centre stage without being weighed down by too much sweetness, resulting in a beer that is both flavourful and easy to drink. The double dry-hopping adds to the intensity of the hop aromas and flavours, ensuring that each sip is as fresh and vibrant as the last.
Food Pairings: Easy Answers pairs wonderfully with rich, savoury dishes. Try it with a grilled steak or charred lamb, where the beer’s piney bitterness will complement the smoky, meaty flavours. It also works well with a sharp cheese like aged cheddar or gouda, where the beer’s smooth body enhances the complexity of the cheese. For a more casual pairing, enjoy it with a chicken quesadilla or a spicy chicken tikka, where the beer’s balance will cut through the richness of the dish.
Electric Bear Sir Cancelot The Cautious Session Pale Ale 3.4%
Electric Bear’s Sir Cancelot The Cautious Session Pale Ale is a light and easygoing beer that delivers a refreshing session experience at just 3.4% ABV. This session pale ale has a beautiful pale golden colour with a frothy white head, and its aroma is a delightful blend of peach iced tea, zesty grapefruit, and a hint of black pepper spice. The flavour profile is crisp and tropical, with peach and grapefruit dominating the palate, followed by a subtle spiciness from the hops. A slight dankness in the finish rounds out the beer, making it both refreshing and flavourful despite its low ABV. The low alcohol content makes this the perfect beer to enjoy over multiple pints without worrying about overdoing it.
Interesting Fact: The name Sir Cancelot comes from the playful nature of this session pale ale, emphasizing its easygoing, cautious nature. The beer is brewed with Simcoe, Idaho 7, and Ella hops, which are known for imparting vibrant fruitiness and a subtle herbal spice. The combination of these hops creates a beer that is both juicy and slightly peppery, making it an interesting take on the session pale ale style.
Food Pairings: Sir Cancelot is a great match for a variety of light, fresh dishes. Try it with a simple seafood dish like grilled white fish or a shrimp salad, where the beer’s tropical fruit character will complement the seafood’s delicate flavours. It also pairs wonderfully with a fresh goat cheese salad, where the acidity of the beer cuts through the creaminess of the cheese. For something more indulgent, enjoy it with a grilled chicken sandwich, where the beer’s crisp, refreshing qualities will balance the richness of the meat.
New Bristol Brewery Baby Beaut Aus/NZ IPA 4.0% VG
New Bristol Brewery’s Baby Beaut Aus/NZ IPA is a lighter version of their award-winning Beaut IPA, brewed with a combination of New Zealand and Australian hops. At 4.0% ABV, this IPA is sessionable yet packed with bold, fruity flavours. The beer pours a hazy golden yellow, with aromas of white grape, peach, and a hint of gooseberry. On the palate, Baby Beaut is smooth and juicy, with the hops delivering flavours of stone fruits like peach and apricot, complemented by the bright acidity of gooseberries. The malt base is soft, made with oats and wheat, providing a smooth mouthfeel that supports the hop-forward profile without overwhelming it.
Interesting Fact: The use of Australian and New Zealand hops, such as Enigma, Eclipse, Nelson Sauvin, and Motueka, is what gives Baby Beaut its distinct fruit-forward character. These hops are known for their tropical fruit flavours, with Nelson Sauvin contributing white grape and gooseberry notes, while Motueka and Eclipse add bright citrus and peach flavours. By dialling down the ABV, New Bristol Brewery has created a lighter, more accessible version of their flagship IPA that’s perfect for extended drinking sessions.
Food Pairings: Baby Beaut pairs excellently with a wide range of dishes. Try it with a fresh, light seafood salad or grilled shrimp tacos, where the beer’s fruitiness will complement the delicate flavours of the seafood. It also works wonderfully with a grilled chicken Caesar salad, where the beer’s tropical fruit flavours contrast with the rich dressing. For a more indulgent pairing, enjoy it with a sharp cheddar cheese or a creamy brie, where the beer’s lightness and fruitiness will enhance the richness of the cheese.