Polly's ~ All Sure Things 10.0% TIPA
All Sure Things is a bold and brash Triple IPA that celebrates the end of the festival season with unrestrained joy. This beer showcases the mastery of two hop giants, Citra and Galaxy, delivering an explosive aroma of fresh-cut citrus and tropical fruits. With a dry hop charge of 30g/l, expect flavours of zesty grapefruit, luscious mango, and bright passionfruit. The mouthfeel is creamy yet balanced, with a finish that is both satisfying and thirst-quenching.
Interesting Fact: This TIPA is a testament to Polly’s commitment to innovation in the IPA style, building on their previous successes since the launch of their DDH Spur in 2020. By continually experimenting with hop combinations and techniques, Polly’s keeps the style evolving, ensuring that each release offers something new for enthusiasts.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Pair All Sure Things with spicy Thai curries, where the sweetness of the fruits can counterbalance the heat. Alternatively, enjoy it alongside grilled seafood, such as shrimp skewers marinated in citrus, enhancing the beer’s vibrant hop profile.
Pentrich ~ Planets On Wires 8.0% DIPA
Planets On Wires is a super hoppy Double IPA that dazzles with its complex layering of flavours. Citra and Mosaic hops take centre stage, delivering an explosion of citrus and stone fruit flavours. You’ll find prominent notes of juicy mango and ripe pineapple that elevate the drinking experience to new heights. The beer’s mouthfeel is soft and pillowy, making it incredibly drinkable despite its elevated ABV.
Interesting Fact: Pentrich has a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hop expression, and Planets On Wires exemplifies this philosophy. By utilizing these specific hop varieties, they craft a brew that is both aromatic and flavourful, demonstrating the dynamic potential of modern brewing techniques.
Food Pairing Suggestions: This DIPA pairs wonderfully with a charcuterie board featuring creamy cheeses and fresh fruits, as the beer's fruitiness complements the board's flavours. It also works well with spicy tacos, where the hops can cut through the richness and add a refreshing kick.
Floc ~ Plenty of Motueka 8.0% DIPA
Plenty of Motueka is a hop lover's dream, showcasing the versatility of Motueka hops from multiple harvests. The result is a bold DIPA with an enticing aroma of zesty lime and tropical fruit. Expect bright citrus notes, alongside juicy undertones that create a refreshing and complex experience. The beer has a smooth mouthfeel, balanced perfectly with a clean finish.
Interesting Fact: This brew highlights the importance of hop freshness, as Floc utilizes early, mid, and late harvest Motueka hops along with Hop Kief. This innovative approach allows for a fuller expression of the hop’s character, ensuring each sip is a celebration of its distinct flavours.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Pair this DIPA with grilled fish tacos topped with lime crema, allowing the beer's zesty notes to enhance the flavours of the dish. It also complements spicy dishes, like jerk chicken, where the tropical fruit flavours can stand up to the heat.
Cloudwater x Green Cheek ~ West Coast IPA Is Dead 7.2%
West Coast IPA Is Dead is a collaboration that redefines the classic West Coast IPA style. This brew is characterized by a clear appearance and an assertive hop-forward profile, showcasing Simcoe and Citra hops. The flavour profile is dominated by bright citrus and punchy pine, while the malt background remains light, allowing the hops to shine. Each sip reveals a refreshing bitterness that is balanced by a subtle fruitiness.
Interesting Fact: This beer was crafted with the intention of stretching the boundaries of what a West Coast IPA can be. By omitting crystal malt, the brewers have produced a cleaner beer that emphasizes the hop experience, making it a fresh take on a beloved style.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Enjoy this IPA with grilled meats, particularly a citrus-marinated chicken, which will harmonize with the beer's bright flavours. It also pairs well with spicy Asian dishes, like Szechuan noodles, where the beer can provide a refreshing contrast to the heat.
Pentrich ~ Double Soul Doughnut 8.0% Double Caramel Custard Doughnut Milk Stout
The Double Soul Doughnut is an irresistible treat that captures the essence of your favourite high street bakery. This milk stout pours a deep, rich brown with enticing aromas of sweet caramel and creamy custard. On the palate, it’s a delightful explosion of flavours, where sweet caramel and custard dominate, perfectly balanced by light bready notes and a comforting warmth from the dark malts. The smooth, creamy mouthfeel rounds out this decadent experience, making it an indulgent treat that lingers on the tongue.
Interesting Fact: This stout’s inspiration comes from a beloved pastry, showcasing the brewer's creativity in transforming a familiar favourite into a beer. The use of lactose not only enhances the creaminess but also contributes to the beer's signature sweetness, elevating the dessert-like qualities of the stout.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Enjoy Double Soul Doughnut with a warm chocolate brownie topped with vanilla ice cream for a truly indulgent dessert experience. Alternatively, it pairs wonderfully with a cheese board featuring rich blue cheese, where the beer's sweetness can counterbalance the cheese's tangy notes.
Round Corner ~ Society For The Encouragement Of Virtue 11.0% BA Imperial Stout
Society For The Encouragement Of Virtue is a majestic Imperial Stout that invites you to indulge in its complexity. Pouring an opaque jet black, this brew is a rich tapestry of aromas that includes dried fruits, molasses, and hints of liquorice. After maturing for several months in freshly disgorged Planteray Rum barrels from Barbados, the stout develops a velvety mouthfeel complemented by smooth oak and rum notes. The bitterness lingers gracefully, offering a perfect counterpoint to the stout's rich sweetness.
Interesting Fact: The aging process in rum barrels adds depth and character to the beer, allowing it to absorb unique flavours from the wood and the previous contents. This practice highlights the brewer's dedication to crafting a truly luxurious drinking experience that evolves with time.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Pair this Imperial Stout with a rich chocolate tart or a slice of fruitcake, where the stout's dried fruit notes will resonate beautifully. It also complements a robust blue cheese, which enhances the beer’s complexity while balancing its sweetness.
Sureshot x Coolhead ~ No Serving Nonsense 8.0% Mango & Mandarin Sour
The No Serving Nonsense sour is a vibrant collaboration that delivers a refreshing twist with every sip. Infused with 300g of Alphonso mango and sweet mandarin per litre, this fruited sour is thick and smooth, reminiscent of a fruity blender. The bold tropical flavours burst forth, creating a harmonious balance of sweetness and tartness that dances on the palate. This beer is not just a thirst-quencher; it’s an experience, with layers of fruitiness that linger pleasantly.
Interesting Fact: The use of Alphonso mango, known for its rich sweetness and creamy texture, elevates this sour to a whole new level of indulgence. This collaboration with Coolhead Brewing brings together the best of both breweries, combining their expertise to create a deliciously refreshing beer.
Food Pairing Suggestions: This sour pairs beautifully with spicy Asian dishes, such as sweet and sour chicken, where the sweetness of the beer can enhance the flavours. It also complements fresh fruit salads, allowing the beer's tropical notes to shine alongside the natural sweetness of the fruits.
Pastore ~ Big Easy 8.0% Fruited Sour
Big Easy takes you on a journey through flavours inspired by the beloved dessert, Bananas Foster. This fruited sour is a delightful blend of ripe bananas, warming cinnamon, and sweet vanilla, resulting in a smooth and creamy experience. The tartness of the beer balances beautifully with the sweetness of the fruit, creating a refreshing yet indulgent treat that feels like dessert in a glass.
Interesting Fact: The combination of cinnamon and vanilla in this brew pays homage to the classic Bananas Foster recipe, demonstrating the brewer's commitment to flavour innovation. The use of lactose adds a creamy texture, making this sour feel rich and decadent.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Pair Big Easy with a slice of warm banana bread topped with a dollop of whipped cream for a comforting dessert experience. Alternatively, it complements spicy dishes, such as jerk chicken, where the sweetness of the beer can offset the heat.