Posted on 22/06/22
Although there are some huge dark beers in this list this week, realistically, it’s very much summer tinged.
We’ve got a Strawberry Daiquiri Sour to inspect, plus some of the best craft lagers released since… well, ever!
It’s a hoppy beer’s world though, so that’s where we’ll begin – with something new from Norway’s Sleeping Village.
Sleeping Village are bossing it over in Scandinavia at the minute and this week three of their hoppy numbers turned up which I couldn’t wait to crack open.
Light Science Dry Hopped Pale Ale is pretty much where it’s at right now – Mandarin Orange and Mosaic hops combine for this sweet orange opening that’s backed up by juicy summer berries, plus a subtle bitterness to keep you on your toes.
At 4.7%, this is lovely in the sun.
From there, things only get richer, beginning with Baron’s ace new Brainstorm Pale Ale.
Just like Light Science, Baron have been playing around with Mosaic for those summer berry vibes here, but Baron also call in Azacca for a juicy mango edge. Oats keep everything nice and soft.
500ml mega-cans, too!
Moving through the gears we have new Sureshot in, and the best of the bunch is the frankly outstanding Heavens To Murgatroyd! DIPA.
Sureshot’s early stuff marked them out as contenders. Now, they’re really hitting their stride.
If you drink Double IPAs then this is what you should be buying.
Brewed by Cloudwater alumni… and it shows.
Completing the top hops this week is the new stuff from Azvex, and of particular note is Parkour Pigeons West Coast DIPA.
As any West Coast fan will tell you, way out west you can expect a cleaner beer that’s not scared to show its hoppy bitterness.
Slaps you in the face with Centennial, Amarillo and Simcoe.
Citrusy with sticky pine resin.
As an 8.1% can that’s just £5.95, it’s a steal. Get one in!
You know it’s summer when Strawberry Daiquiri beers start appearing, and this year Three Hills are leading the charge.
Forbidden Cocktail: Strawberry Daiquiri Fruited Sour is packed with strawberies, as you’d expect, but it’s the zesty lime that makes this truly immense.
The lime cuts through the sweet fruit to land this firmly on the side of refreshing… despite it being full over 500g/L fresh British fruit.
Thick and delicious – how did brewing ever get here?!
Pivoting to the other end of the scale, there’s never been a better time to explore craft lagers, and if you’re going to do that then this week it’s Baron’s Scarecrow Lager for you.
Nicely chilled after maybe an evening run or returning home from the office, there is just nothing better to have in your fridge.
So crisp, so clean, and so refreshing – yet Simcoe and HBC 472 plus a full month of lagering make this magic.
For me, this has got to be the lager of the week.
Finally I know one or two of you have been asking where the radler’s are at right now so I present to you exhibit A, Brew York’s Lemony Snippet 2.5% Lemon Radler.
This isn’t as laden with lemons as you might expect, which means more refreshment, and that’s exactly what I’m looking for here.
For sessions, for after work, for cutting back on the booze. You don’t see many craft radlers.
Snap this one up.
It’s a case of quality over quantity on the darks right now, but that’s no bad thing when the quality in question is as outstanding as Nerdbrewing’s Continue 7th Anniversary Bourbon BA Imperial Porter.
An imperial porter aged in Heaven Hill bourbon barrels, you can expect all the bourbon, indulgent port wine and dried fruits you want from this, then toasted coconut takes this to another level.
It uses liquorice, which might put some people off, but if this didn’t say ‘liquorice’ on the bottle you’d never guess it was there. As opposed to overpowering, liquorice adds indulgence.
Would age well… if you can resist.
If you can’t be tempted by the above then Nerdbrewing’s Fold Double Vanilla Stout is hardly a bad runner up.
Again you have a thick, rich and indulgent impy stout, only this one’s on the sweeter side, with so much vanilla it’s almost a custard.
If I was you I’d share, compare and contrast this pair.
Honestly, both are just off the scale brewing.
As if I haven’t already recommended enough hoppy stuff this week, I can’t sign off without mentioning the new stuff from Northern Monk. Expect blackcurrant, blueberries and dewy melon in The Beautiful Game DIPA; expect nectarine oil, sticky apricot juice and fragrant elderflower from Thought Bubble DDH IPA. How can anyone say no to that?!
There’s more new Sureshot than I’ve mentioned above, there’s more good stuff just in from Brew York, there’s some Azvex stuff I haven’t even managed to snap and, in case you missed it last week, Pomona Island & To Øl’s Reflections After Jane Strawberry & Yuzu Sour DIPA is an experimental great.
As always, I hope you get to try some of these immense new beers this week.
Cheers & happy drinking!
Oli, Olly & Charlie
(The three people behind Craft Metropolis)
Step 1
We trawl the globe tasting great beer
