North ~ Atlantis 4.1% Pale Ale (Session IPA)
North’s Atlantis is a laid-back and sessionable pale ale that effortlessly blends bright hop character with refreshing drinkability. The beer pours a pale, slightly hazy golden hue, topped with a frothy white head. The aroma immediately captivates with pithy grapefruit and crushed pine needles, setting the stage for a burst of flavour. On the palate, Atlantis delivers a juicy combination of sweet blueberry and fleshy pineapple, with a balanced bitterness that lingers pleasantly on the finish. The mouthfeel is soft and light, making it the perfect beer for a day of easy drinking or socializing.
Interesting Fact: Atlantis uses an exciting blend of American hops—Mosaic and Citra—along with Australian Galaxy hops. Each of these hop varieties brings something distinct to the table: Mosaic offers tropical fruit flavours like mango and blueberry, Citra adds a burst of citrus, and Galaxy contributes its signature passionfruit and pineapple notes. Together, they create a beer that is full of hop character, while the lower ABV makes it approachable and crushable.
Pairing Suggestions: Atlantis’s tropical fruit flavours and citrusy bitterness make it an excellent pairing with fresh seafood, especially dishes like grilled shrimp or ceviche. The beer’s light body and refreshing qualities also complement light salads with citrus dressing or a goat cheese salad, where the acidity and fruitiness of the beer enhance the tangy cheese. For dessert, Atlantis pairs nicely with a citrus sorbet or a fruit salad, where the beer’s bright, tropical flavours elevate the freshness of the fruit.
Abbeydale ~ Polarnaut 4.7% Experimental Pale Ale
Polarnaut from Abbeydale is a refreshing experimental pale ale that uses cutting-edge hop extraction techniques to deliver an exciting and unique hop experience. The beer pours a light, hazy gold with a creamy white head, offering aromas of pine, tropical fruit, and a hint of coconut. On the palate, Polarnaut is soft and juicy, with bursts of pithy pine and tropical coconut giving way to a crisp finish. The combination of Citra and Sabro hops creates a well-rounded beer, with Sabro’s distinct coconut character providing an intriguing twist. It’s a beautifully balanced pale ale that’s both refreshing and full of hop complexity.
Interesting Fact: Polarnaut features a new experimental approach to hop extraction known as sub-zero, supercritical extraction, which enhances the beer’s hop character by capturing more of the delicate, aromatic oils from the hops. This method allows Abbeydale to bring forward more distinct tropical and pine flavours, while the addition of Sabro hops introduces a coconut-like sweetness that adds a layer of complexity to the beer.
Pairing Suggestions: Polarnaut is a versatile beer that pairs wonderfully with a range of dishes. Its tropical and pine notes make it a great match for grilled chicken with a coconut curry, where the beer’s flavours complement the richness of the sauce. It also pairs well with fresh, tangy seafood dishes like grilled scallops or shrimp ceviche, where the beer’s crispness enhances the natural flavours of the seafood. For dessert, try it with a coconut cream pie or a fruit tart, where the beer’s coconut notes and tropical fruit flavours will enhance the sweetness of the dessert.
Bluntrock ~ Helles 4.2% Lager
Bluntrock’s Helles is a beautifully crafted, easy-drinking lager that showcases everything to love about the style. It pours a pale golden colour with a frothy white head, delivering a fresh, crisp aroma of bready malt and delicate floral hops. On the palate, Helles is clean and refreshing, with a well-balanced malt character that’s lightly bready and slightly sweet, while a touch of floral hop bitterness adds depth. The beer finishes smooth and crisp, making it a perfect example of a traditional Helles lager that is both satisfying and highly drinkable.
Interesting Fact: The Helles style, which originated in Germany, is known for its balance and subtlety. Unlike other lagers, which may focus on hop bitterness, Helles emphasizes a malt-forward profile with just enough hop bitterness to balance the sweetness. Bluntrock’s version adheres to these principles, using high-quality malt and hops to create a lager that is both classic and refreshing.
Pairing Suggestions: Bluntrock’s Helles is a fantastic beer to pair with a wide variety of foods. Its clean and crisp profile makes it ideal with rich, savoury dishes like sausages, bratwurst, or grilled meats. It also works beautifully with pretzels or a hearty cheese board featuring mild cheeses like gouda or havarti. For dessert, pair it with a light, fruity cake or a lemon sorbet, where the beer’s smoothness will complement the freshness of the fruit.
Siren Craft Brew ~ Fractal Reality 4.2% Session IPA
Siren Craft Brew’s Fractal Reality is a session IPA that’s as drinkable as it is flavourful. This beer pours a pale amber with a light haze, topped with a frothy white head. The aroma is immediately enticing, with juicy tropical fruit, pine, and a touch of resinous hops. On the palate, Fractal Reality is soft and balanced, with tropical fruit flavours like mango and pineapple, balanced by a subtle piney bitterness that keeps the beer refreshing. The beer’s mouthfeel is smooth, and the finish is clean, making it a perfect choice for extended drinking sessions.
Interesting Fact: Fractal Reality is made with Idaho 7 hops, which are known for their ability to impart juicy tropical fruit flavours alongside sticky piney notes. The addition of these hops in a session IPA allows the beer to pack a punch of flavour despite its lower ABV. This beer showcases the versatility of Idaho 7, offering both fruitiness and hop bitterness in perfect harmony.
Pairing Suggestions: Fractal Reality is a great beer to pair with a wide variety of dishes. Its tropical fruit flavours and light bitterness make it an excellent match for spicy foods like buffalo wings or a flavourful chili. It also pairs well with grilled fish tacos, where the beer’s crispness complements the smoky flavours of the grilled fish. For dessert, try pairing it with a pineapple upside-down cake or a fruit salad, where the beer’s tropical notes will enhance the sweetness of the fruit.
Pilot ~ The Antidote 4.5% Fruited Lager
Pilot’s The Antidote is a refreshing fruited lager that’s perfect for those looking for a light, crisp beer with a twist. The beer pours a pale, golden yellow, with a tight white head that quickly dissipates. On the nose, the beer offers aromas of fresh apple and blackcurrant, while the first sip delivers a bright burst of fruit flavour. The apple and blackcurrant juices give the beer a refreshing sweetness that’s balanced by the crisp, clean lager body. The finish is dry and clean, making it a highly drinkable and enjoyable beer.
Interesting Fact: The Antidote is fermented with fresh apple and blackcurrant juice, creating a beer that is reminiscent of the classic British “Snakebite and Black” drink. This combination of apple and blackcurrant is a nod to the 80s and 90s, offering a nostalgic fruit-forward experience that sets it apart from other lagers.
Pairing Suggestions: The Antidote’s fruity flavours make it an excellent pairing for a variety of dishes. It pairs beautifully with light, fresh seafood like grilled shrimp or a crab salad, where the beer’s fruity sweetness complements the delicate flavours of the seafood. For a heartier dish, try it with a grilled chicken sandwich or a pulled pork wrap, where the beer’s crisp finish balances the richness of the meat. For dessert, pair it with a fruit tart or a berry sorbet, where the beer’s fruitiness enhances the freshness of the fruit.
Marble ~ Liberation Frequency 4.0% Pale Ale
Marble’s Liberation Frequency is a gluten-free pale ale that delivers a flavourful, hop-forward experience without the heaviness. The beer pours a hazy gold with a frothy white head. On the nose, you’ll catch bright citrus and tropical fruit aromas from the Ekuanot, Mosaic, and Azacca hops. The first sip is refreshing, with a burst of grapefruit, pineapple, and piney bitterness. The beer is crisp, light, and easy-drinking, with just enough bitterness to keep things interesting while the hops shine through in the finish.
Interesting Fact: Liberation Frequency is crafted with Ekuanot, Mosaic, and Azacca hops, each bringing unique characteristics to the beer. Ekuanot adds a complex fruitiness with tropical fruit, pine, and citrus notes, while Mosaic contributes mango, citrus, and earthy flavours. Azacca enhances the beer’s tropical profile, adding notes of pineapple and citrus. Together, these hops create a vibrant and refreshing pale ale that’s perfect for hop lovers.
Pairing Suggestions: Liberation Frequency is ideal for pairing with dishes that feature bold flavours. It works well with spicy foods like Thai curry or Indian vindaloo, where the beer’s bitterness helps balance the heat. It also pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or burgers, where the hops complement the smoky flavours. For dessert, try it with a lemon meringue pie or a tropical fruit salad, where the beer’s citrusy and tropical fruit flavours enhance the sweetness of the dessert.
Sureshot ~ In 1975 No One Died 4.5% West Coast Pale Ale
Sureshot’s In 1975 No One Died is a West Coast pale ale that brings a crisp, refreshing bitterness to the forefront. The beer pours a clear golden amber with a foamy white head. On the nose, the beer offers a combination of fruity aromas and a hint of resinous pine. The first sip delivers a clean, crisp bitterness, with flavours of grapefruit, pine, and a touch of tropical fruit. The body is light and crisp, making it an easy-drinking pale ale with a satisfying, slightly dry finish.
Interesting Fact: In 1975 No One Died is dry-hopped with Galaxy, Nelson Sauvin, and Motueka hops, which are known for their ability to impart fruity, citrusy, and piney flavours. Galaxy brings tropical fruit and passionfruit, while Nelson Sauvin adds a unique white wine-like character. Motueka adds bright lime and citrus notes, creating a hop blend that gives the beer its signature fruity, piney character.
Pairing Suggestions: In 1975 No One Died pairs well with bold, flavourful foods. Try it with a spicy barbecue chicken or a grilled steak, where the beer’s crisp bitterness helps cut through the richness of the meat. It also works beautifully with a hearty cheese board, featuring sharp cheeses like cheddar or blue cheese, where the beer’s bitterness complements the bold flavours. For dessert, try pairing it with a citrus cheesecake or a lemon sorbet, where the beer’s fruity notes enhance the tartness of the dessert.
Abbeydale ~ Cryo Heathen 5.0% American Pale Ale
Cryo Heathen from Abbeydale is a vibrant American pale ale that showcases the versatility of Mosaic hops in their cryo form. The beer pours a hazy golden yellow with a frothy white head. On the nose, it’s a hop-forward explosion of tropical and stone fruit aromas, including mango, pineapple, and peach. The first sip reveals a juicy, fruity character with a zesty bitterness that’s perfectly balanced by the smooth malt backbone. The cryo Mosaic hops intensify the beer’s fruitiness, making it a flavourful and refreshing pale ale with a clean, bitter finish.
Interesting Fact: Cryo Heathen takes the well-loved Mosaic hop and amplifies its tropical fruit character using cryo hop technology. Cryo hops are processed to concentrate the aromatic oils, resulting in a more intense hop flavour with less vegetal matter. This technique has allowed Abbeydale to push the flavours of Mosaic to the next level, creating a beer that’s bursting with tropical and stone fruit notes.
Pairing Suggestions: Cryo Heathen is a great beer to pair with a variety of dishes. Try it with spicy Mexican food, such as tacos or nachos, where the beer’s citrusy bitterness complements the heat. It also pairs well with grilled meats, particularly chicken or pork, where the beer’s fruity character enhances the flavours of the grilled food. For dessert, consider pairing it with a mango sorbet or a fruit tart, where the beer’s tropical fruit flavours will elevate the sweetness of the fruit.