Two Flints x Phantom Brew ~ Chilly Bin 6.5% DDH Hazy IPA
Chilly Bin is a vibrant collaboration between Two Flints and Phantom Brew, showcasing New Zealand hops in a hazy, juicy IPA. This 6.5% DDH Hazy IPA is a true celebration of New Zealand’s hop culture. With Nelson Sauvin, Motueka T90, and a touch of Phantasm powder, it delivers an explosion of flavours. Expect aromas of ripe apricot and green fruit pastilles, alongside the distinctive Sauvignon Blanc character from Nelson Sauvin hops. The mouthfeel is smooth, with a substantial haze contributing to its creamy texture.
Interesting Fact: The addition of Phantasm powder during fermentation enhances the thiol production, intensifying the fruity and aromatic qualities of the hops. This innovation in hop usage is a nod to the growing trend of enhancing hop expression in modern IPAs.
Pair Chilly Bin with a fresh goat cheese salad topped with apricot vinaigrette. The fruity notes in the beer will complement the tangy cheese and the sweetness of the apricot. Alternatively, enjoy it with a Thai green curry; the beer’s juicy profile will balance the spice and enhance the flavours of the dish.
Siren Craft Brew ~ Flying Circus 4.5% West Coast Pale Ale
Flying Circus is a West Coast Pale Ale that pays homage to classic American hop varieties. With a blend of Citra, Columbus, Centennial, Cascade, and Chinook hops, this 4.5% pale ale offers a crisp, clean finish with a subtle hint of rye. The result is a well-balanced beer with a floral, citrusy aroma and a lightly caramelized malt character that adds depth.
Interesting Fact: The use of Crystal Rye malt adds a touch of complexity to the beer, offering a slight spiciness that complements the traditional West Coast hop bitterness.
Flying Circus pairs excellently with a charcuterie board featuring salami and aged cheeses. The beer’s bitterness cuts through the richness of the meats and cheeses, while its clean finish refreshes the palate. For a main dish, try it with grilled shrimp tacos; the hops will enhance the citrusy notes of the taco seasoning.
Jiddlers Tipple ~ Hop & Cold IPA 5.5% Cold IPA
Hop & Cold IPA is a refreshing Cold IPA that combines the best attributes of a pilsner with the intense hop profile of an IPA. At 5.5%, it features a clear, crisp appearance and a fruity character derived from Nelson Sauvin, Citra, Ekuanot, and Galaxy hops. Expect flavours of gooseberry, melon, pineapple, and guava, all balanced by a clean, lager-like finish.
Interesting Fact: Cold IPAs are fermented with lager yeast and conditioned to achieve a super clear, crisp finish, which is less common in the world of hop-forward IPAs.
Enjoy Hop & Cold IPA with a dish of spicy sriracha chicken wings. The beer’s fruity and refreshing qualities will complement the heat, while its clean finish helps to cool the palate. Alternatively, try it with a seafood paella; the beer’s bright fruit notes will enhance the dish’s rich, savoury flavours.
Duration ~ Adventure Defender 4.5% Session IPA
Adventure Defender is a tropical Session IPA crafted to accompany your adventures with its 4.5% ABV. Bursting with mango and lime flavours, this session IPA is designed for easy drinking and refreshing moments. Its tropical profile makes it a perfect beer for summer escapades, offering a light yet flavourful experience.
Interesting Fact: This beer was brewed as a collaboration with St Giles Pantry in Norwich to capture the essence of adventure and exploration, reflecting the brewery’s commitment to creating beers that enhance the experience of enjoying life’s moments.
Pair Adventure Defender with a tropical fruit salad or grilled fish tacos. The mango and lime flavours will enhance the sweetness of the fruit salad and complement the bright, zesty notes of the tacos. For a lighter option, enjoy it with a fresh summer vegetable pasta; the beer’s tropical notes will add a delightful contrast to the dish.
Wilderness ~ Until I Met You 4.8% Rhubarb Sour
Until I Met You is a spritzy, sharp sour that balances the tang of rhubarb with crisp apple notes. This beer offers a refreshing tartness, enhanced by a lively carbonation that tickles the palate. The rhubarb brings a distinctive, slightly earthy tartness, while the apple adds a crisp, fruity sweetness that complements the sour profile.
Interesting Fact: Rhubarb is often used in sour beers to add a vibrant tartness. This vegetable’s natural acidity and complex flavour profile make it ideal for brewing, especially when combined with other fruits like apple.
Pair this Rhubarb Sour with a variety of dishes. It complements creamy cheeses like brie or goat cheese, where its tartness cuts through the richness. It also works well with light salads and seafood, adding a refreshing contrast to the flavours.
Overtone ~ Glimmer 3.4% Session Sour
Glimmer is a bright session sour that combines zesty lime with the fruity depth of blueberry. The result is a beer that is both refreshing and flavourful, with a balanced sourness that is approachable yet vibrant. Its low ABV makes it ideal for extended sipping, while the lime and blueberry offer a harmonious blend of citrus and fruit.
Interesting Fact: Lime and blueberry are an intriguing combination, as lime’s bright acidity complements the rich sweetness of blueberry. This flavour pairing not only enhances the fruity profile of the beer but also creates a refreshing and balanced taste experience. The interplay between these two ingredients highlights how well contrasting flavours can harmonize in a sour beer.
Enjoy this session sour with dishes that can match its fruity and zesty profile. It pairs well with spicy dishes, such as Mexican cuisine, or with a light dessert like lemon sorbet. Its refreshing nature also complements summer salads and grilled seafood.
Disruption IS Brewing ~ Talk To Your Alchemist 6.3% Key Lime Sour
Talk To Your Alchemist features a bold Key Lime Pie flavour, with a refreshing burst of lime juice balanced by the richness of biscuit malt and vanilla. The lactose adds a creamy texture, reminiscent of pie crust. This sour offers a well-rounded, dessert-like experience with every sip.
Interesting Fact: Key lime pie, a classic American dessert, is traditionally made with key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and a graham cracker crust. This beer captures those flavours, making it a unique take on a beloved dessert.
This sour pairs wonderfully with rich, creamy dishes. Try it with a slice of key lime pie, or with creamy seafood dishes like crab cakes or a lobster roll. It also complements tangy cheeses and citrus-based salads.
Cloudwater ~ Pineapple & Lime Breeze 4.5% Fruited Sour
Pineapple & Lime Breeze is a smooth, crushable sour that combines the tropical sweetness of pineapple with the zesty tang of lime. The base is soft and smooth, with fruity aroma hops enhancing the vibrant fruit flavours. The acidity is tart but not overpowering, making this sour a refreshing summer choice.
Interesting Fact: Fruited sours like Pineapple & Lime Breeze use fruit to add complexity and balance to the sour profile. Pineapple and lime are often chosen for their vibrant flavours, which stand out against the tartness of the base beer.
This fruited sour pairs well with tropical and light dishes. It’s excellent with grilled shrimp or fish tacos, where the tropical fruit flavours can complement the food. It also works well with fresh salads and light desserts like coconut sorbet.