Elusive Serenity Dark Mild 3.8%
Elusive’s Serenity Dark Mild is a beautifully balanced beer that demonstrates how the Dark Mild style can pack surprising depth. At a modest 3.8% ABV, this beer opens with the comforting aroma of brown bread toast, quickly followed by the sweetness of caramel and molasses. The malt-forward body remains deceptively light, letting the subtle fruity hop notes peek through to provide a lift without overpowering the core flavours. It's an easy-drinking brew that doesn’t sacrifice complexity, making it a perfect session beer.
Interesting Fact: The Dark Mild was a popular English style during the 19th century, originally brewed to be low in alcohol but full of flavour, perfect for long, sociable pub sessions. While often overshadowed by stronger ales, Serenity Dark Mild highlights the enduring appeal of this style with its layered malt complexity, setting it apart in today’s beer market.
Food Pairings: Serenity’s malt richness pairs excellently with comforting foods like beef stew or braised lamb. If you're looking for lighter fare, a ploughman’s lunch with sharp cheese and pickles works beautifully. Roasted nuts or a slice of dark chocolate cake would also be a great match, enhancing the beer’s malt sweetness.
Brass Kitty Cherry Kitty Cherry Vanilla Porter 5.5% VG GF
Brass Kitty’s Cherry Kitty Cherry Vanilla Porter takes the classic porter style and adds a sweet, fruity twist with cherries and vanilla. At 5.5% ABV, the beer’s robust body is balanced by the smooth, sweet flavours of ripe cherries and vanilla, while the underlying roasted malts provide a rich backbone. The combination is reminiscent of a Black Forest Cake in beer form—decadent, yet incredibly drinkable, with a silky mouthfeel that’s sure to satisfy your dessert cravings.
Interesting Fact: The marriage of cherries and vanilla in this porter is a nod to dessert-inspired beers, a trend that has gained popularity for creating indulgent and accessible flavours. The cherry’s tartness contrasts perfectly with the sweetness of the vanilla, while the malt base adds a layer of depth, making it a well-rounded brew that’s gluten-free (GF) for all to enjoy.
Food Pairings: This beer is a natural partner for rich desserts like chocolate mousse or a slice of Black Forest cake. For a savoury option, try pairing it with a grilled cheese sandwich made with sharp cheddar—its creaminess will enhance the beer’s smooth texture. A bowl of spiced nuts could also make for a great snack, balancing out the sweet, roasty malt flavours.
Siren Craft Brew Pink Paloma Cocktail Inspired Sour 5.0%
Siren Craft Brew’s Pink Paloma is a refreshing and vibrant cocktail-inspired sour that effortlessly balances the tart and sweet notes of a traditional Paloma cocktail. Pouring a striking peachy pink hue, it immediately catches the eye, while the flavour profile teases your taste buds with the perfect blend of grapefruit, lime, and a sprinkle of sea salt. The beer takes you on a unique journey, with a subtle yet prominent tequila wood influence that gives an added depth of complexity. The malts—malted barley, wheat, and oats—bring a soft and smooth body that enhances the fruit-forward character of this beer, allowing the fresh citrus notes to take centre stage without being overpowering. The touch of agave syrup adds a light sweetness, which balances the sourness from the grapefruit and lime juice, rounding out the beer’s vibrant flavours.
Interesting Fact: The Paloma cocktail is one of the most popular drinks in Mexico, traditionally made with tequila, lime, and grapefruit soda. Siren Craft Brew has cleverly captured the essence of this beloved drink by aging the beer on tequila-infused oak, bringing that signature agave flavour to the brew. This playful and experimental approach allows beer drinkers to experience a cocktail-inspired brew in a new, exciting form.
Food Pairings: Pink Paloma pairs wonderfully with fresh, zesty dishes. Try it alongside ceviche, where the sharp lime and refreshing fish will complement the beer’s citrus flavours. It would also be a great match for grilled shrimp tacos or a zesty avocado and grapefruit salad. For something a bit sweeter, pair it with a lime and coconut cheesecake to highlight the refreshing citrus character and balance the sweetness of the dessert.
Electric Bear Sun Of A Beach Tropical Ice Cream Sour 4.8%
Electric Bear’s Sun Of A Beach is a tropical ice cream sour that transports you straight to a sunny beach with every sip. This 4.8% ABV sour is inspired by the nostalgic flavours of a classic ice lolly, blending mango, lemon, and mandarin with creamy vanilla. The beer pours a hazy golden colour, reminiscent of a sunny day, while the flavour profile is both fruity and smooth. The combination of fruit purees and mandarin essence gives it a burst of citrus, with the vanilla extract adding a creamy sweetness that ties everything together. The malts—extra pale, wheat, dextrin, and flaked malted oats—ensure the beer has a soft, smooth body that enhances its dessert-like quality. The sourness is well-balanced, offering just enough tartness to cut through the sweetness, making this beer the perfect balance of fruity refreshment and creamy indulgence.
Interesting Fact: This collaboration with Dutch brewery Kompaan has resulted in a beer that captures the essence of summer fun in a glass. Electric Bear’s use of tropical fruits, combined with a creamy vanilla finish, gives the beer a playful yet sophisticated twist, making it a standout in the growing category of fruit-forward sours.
Food Pairings: Sun Of A Beach is a fantastic match for fruity desserts like a tropical fruit salad or a sorbet, where the beer’s creamy, fruity flavours will amplify the sweetness. It also pairs wonderfully with spicy dishes, such as jerk chicken or a tangy Thai green curry, where the beer’s refreshing tartness will contrast beautifully with the heat. For something simple, try pairing it with soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese, where the smoothness of the cheese complements the beer’s creamy character.
Brew York What Would Ripley Do? NEIPA 5.5%
Brew York’s What Would Ripley Do? is a bold and hop-driven New England IPA (NEIPA) that embraces the vibrant, juicy flavours that the style is famous for. With a 5.5% ABV, it strikes a balance between drinkability and flavour intensity. The beer pours a hazy, golden yellow, with an inviting tropical aroma that promises a juicy and fruity experience. Expect a luscious combination of citrus, pineapple, and a hint of tropical fruit, which is complemented by a smooth, creamy mouthfeel thanks to the use of oats and wheat in the malt bill. The bitterness is kept in check, allowing the fruit-forward character of the hops to shine through in every sip.
Interesting Fact: Brew York’s celebration of Ellen Ripley, the iconic protagonist of Alien, in the form of this NEIPA is a nod to one of the most empowering female characters in science fiction. Ripley’s resilience and fearlessness serve as the perfect inspiration for a beer that combines bold hop flavours with a smooth, easy drinkability—a beer that packs a punch but remains incredibly approachable.
Food Pairings: The juicy, hop-forward profile of this NEIPA pairs wonderfully with dishes that emphasize bright and fresh flavours. Try it with a spicy Thai green curry, where the beer’s fruitiness complements the heat and complexity of the dish. It also works great with a zesty ceviche, where the citrus and tropical notes will enhance the freshness of the seafood. For a simple but delicious pairing, enjoy it with a goat cheese salad featuring fresh fruit, which will highlight the beer’s tart and juicy character.
Electric Bear Maximum Decibels IPA 6.2%
Electric Bear’s Maximum Decibels IPA is a loud and vibrant brew that delivers a powerful hop punch while maintaining a smooth, balanced mouthfeel. At 6.2% ABV, it’s a well-crafted IPA that boasts a rich complexity without overwhelming the palate. The beer is dominated by bright notes of pithy orange rind, resinous pine, and a spicy mango bite. The malt base of wheat, flaked malted oats, and Vienna malts provides a smooth foundation, allowing the hops—Mosaic, Sabro, and Motueka Cryo—to shine through with their bold citrus, tropical fruit, and resinous pine flavours. The bitterness is well-managed, making this a beer that’s both bold and easy to enjoy.
Interesting Fact: The use of Motueka Cryo hops in this IPA is a nod to the latest advancements in hop processing, where Cryo hops are known for their ability to provide intense hop flavour with less bitterness. This results in a beer that delivers big hop character without being too harsh, allowing the complexity of the fruit and pine flavours to shine through.
Food Pairings: Maximum Decibels IPA pairs well with bold, flavourful dishes. A juicy, char-grilled burger with a spicy barbecue sauce would complement the beer’s citrus and pine notes, creating a satisfying contrast between the sweetness of the sauce and the beer’s bitterness. It also works well with a grilled chicken salad featuring citrus dressing, where the hops’ zesty flavours will enhance the dish’s freshness. For a more indulgent pairing, enjoy it with crispy fish tacos, where the beer’s tropical and citrus notes will complement the fish and salsa perfectly.
Farm Yard Oui Chef Little Pale Ale 3.4%
Farm Yard’s Oui Chef Little Pale Ale is a low-alcohol beer that punches well above its weight in flavour. At just 3.4% ABV, it’s a sessionable pale ale that doesn’t skimp on the juicy, tropical hop character. The beer showcases an impressive blend of Strata, Azacca, and Maui Nelson hops, which combine to produce a delightful medley of pineapple, passionfruit, and mango aromas. The malt bill, including barley, wheat, and oats, provides a light and smooth body that allows the hops to shine without being overpowering. The beer finishes clean and crisp, making it a refreshing choice for any occasion.
Interesting Fact: The use of Maui Nelson hops in this pale ale is a tribute to the growing popularity of New Zealand-grown hops, which are known for their tropical and fruity flavour profiles. These hops are a perfect match for the bold tropical flavours of Azacca and Strata, creating a beer that is bright, juicy, and incredibly refreshing.
Food Pairings: Oui Chef Little Pale Ale is a great pairing for light, flavourful dishes. Its tropical fruit character complements seafood dishes like shrimp or scallops, especially when prepared with a citrus glaze or mango salsa. It also pairs well with grilled chicken or vegetable skewers, where the beer’s hop profile enhances the freshness of the ingredients. For a simple, light meal, enjoy it with a goat cheese and avocado salad, where the beer’s crisp finish will balance the creaminess of the cheese.
Turning Point Daydream Nation Pale Ale 3.8%
Turning Point’s Daydream Nation is a soft and sessionable pale ale that delivers a delightful burst of citrus and tropical fruit flavours. At 3.8% ABV, it’s an easy-drinking beer that’s perfect for any time of day. The beer is brewed with Amarillo, Vic Secret, and Mosaic hops, which provide a combination of bright citrus, juicy pineapple, and a touch of stone fruit. The malt base of barley, wheat, and oats ensures a smooth mouthfeel that allows the hops to take centre stage without being too bitter. It’s a pale ale that’s bursting with flavour but remains light and approachable.
Interesting Fact: The use of Vic Secret hops, a variety grown in Australia, brings a unique twist to the beer’s tropical profile. Vic Secret is known for imparting flavours of pineapple, passionfruit, and pine, making it an excellent complement to the citrusy character of Amarillo and the juicy fruit notes from Mosaic hops.
Food Pairings: Daydream Nation pairs beautifully with a range of light dishes. Try it with a fresh and tangy citrus salad with avocado and feta cheese, where the beer’s tropical fruit flavours will enhance the freshness of the salad. It also works well with grilled fish, such as salmon or trout, where the beer’s citrus and tropical notes will complement the fish’s richness. 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.