Happy second month of winter beerthusiasts! This month we’ve got a few rad limited edition brews which are perfect for a winters evening, the resurgence of a few amazing seasonal and some cracking core range beers for you to enjoy.
I also had an email from someone asking if I could add serving temperatures and glass styles to use for each beer, so you’ll find those added to each beer as well. Please note that this is not a definitive guide or a definite “you can’t drink this beer unless it’s out of this glass and at this temperature!” kind of deal - it’s simply another option that is available. At the end of the day, you do what you enjoy! I’ll also fire up a few blog entries in the coming weeks regarding temps and glass styles.
As always, send us your reviews and/or pics from what you’re digging in the cubes to cheers@mrmods.beer or tag us on IG so that we can share the love with the interwebs.
Much love as always.
Love Rob x
Tasting Notes
Venom Brewing - Cherry Sour 4.0% ABV
Glass Style - Teku/Stemmed Glass Serving Temp - 8-10°
What They Say - Light & tart with a touch of cherry sweetness, Venom Cherry Sour pours a rich red colour. Wheat and ale malts combine with just a touch of fruity hops, making Venom Cherry Sour.... Deadly Good!
What We Say - This pours a pale pink rather than a rich red, however that really isn’t overly important. What is important is “Does this taste like cherries?” And the answer is yes. From the subtle hit of cherry in that initial aroma through to that first sip, it’s clear that this is indeed a cherry beer. I wouldn’t call it overly sour though as the fruitiness quickly gives way to a mild tartness and ends with an almost wheat ale kind of vibe, which when you think about it is probably a good thing given that they used wheat AND ale malts while brewing this. A nice introductory sour though for those playing along at home or just starting out on their craft/sour journey.
Beer Soundtrack - I Saw her In A Mustang by The Vandals
Mornington Peninsula Brewery - Squid Vortex NEIPA 6.5% ABV
Glass Style - IPA Glass Serving Temp - 6-8°
What They Say - Another in the legendary "Squid" series, expect intense passionfruit, mango and pineapple flavour from American and Australian hops. You'll be pulled into the Squid vortex
What We Say - Pineapple is definitely evident on the nose here, which also carries across to the palate along with more of a tropical vibe. Along with a slightly dry finish, Squid Vortex also carries with it a respectable bitterness, especially for a NEIPA.
Beer Soundtrack - Rats by Pearl Jam
Bodriggy X Hop Nation - The People’s Elbow Imperial Porter
6.5% ABV
Glass Style - Stout Glass Serving Temp - 8-10°
What They Say - Dark chocolate, medium bitterness, very pleasant sweetness. Touch of fresh tobacco and raisin, roasted character not overwhelming. Light coffee aromas. Warming alcohol heat, yet not solventy. Slight banana ester, moderate licorice aniseed flavour.!
What We Say - Let’s start at the beginning (because apparently, that’s a very good place to start) - this pours a delightful dark brown, almost black colour with a tan head. Aromas of banana and malt greet us as we crack this beauty. Let’s talk flavour though…imagine putting a few chocolate coated liquorice bullets in your mouth and letting them melt, then having a mouthful of black coffee and you’re getting close to what this is offering. Flavours develop as it warms, delivering dried fruit and a nice little bitterness.
Beer Soundtrack - Rock N Roll Is Where I Hide by Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes
Hop Nation - Karma Oatmeal Stout 5.0% ABV
Glass Style - Stout Glass Serving Temp - 6-8°
What They Say - What goes around comes around, and we'll always keep coming back to this beer. Using three, uniquely-toasted malts, alongside specialty oats and roasted barley, the result is a smooth and creamy mouthfeel with hints of chocolate and coffee and a toasty profile.
What We Say - Pouring a gorgeous dark brown with a tan head, the coffee and chocolate are both evident from the get go - both in the aroma and on the palate. Mix in that (good) burnt toast malt vibe with a subtle bitterness and you’re all set.
Beer Soundtrack - Stroker Ace by Lovage
Mr Banks - Foam German Pilsner % ABV
Glass Style - Pilsner Glass Serving Temp - 4-6°
What They Say - Traditional German style pilsner. 100% floor malted pilsner malt hopped with Perle & Hallertau Mittlefruh. This is about as traditional as it gets, Naturally carbonated clean crisp, bready with an extended lagering period.
What We Say - It’s a lager all right! The above description is basically bang on. This is clean, crisp and malty. Enjoy the hell out of this while imagining you’re back at Big Day Out, Summerdaze or any other music festival you may have once frequented.
Beer Soundtrack - Hang Around by Tumbleweed
Bonehead Brewing - Red Hulk SMASH IPA 6.4% ABV
Glass Style - IPA Glass Serving Temp - 6-8°
What They Say - We used Red-X malt as our single malt addition to achieve the colouring depth of a Red IPA, then added Azacca in the kettle, whirlpool and and dry hop to bring some complexity to the hop character. All that with only one malt and one hop.
What We Say - This is a great example of a SMASH IPA. The malt delivers that glorious red colour we all know and love, and the use of Azacca brings an extremely subtle spice, tropical and pine vibe to the party. Extremely well balanced and definitely smashable.
Beer Soundtrack - Open Up The Border by Clutch
Co-Conspirators - The Butcher Red IPA% ABV
Glass Style - IPA Glass Serving Temp - 6-8°
What They Say - Red, the colour of passion. Brewing was his love but when you’re the fastest knife in the north the debt must be paid… They call him the artist of death, but he dreamt of the artistry of this brew. The bold and vivid ruby reds of a summer sunset and tropical, dank aromas inviting you to savour every last drop. Your taste buds swimming in fresh hop flavour; rounded off with a lingering bitterness and seductive but dry malt finish.
What We Say - It’s no secret that I’m a fan of red IPA’s, and this one has always been a favourite. From the subtle aromas of tropical fruit, to that well rounded and balanced malty yet slightly dank palate with a lingering bitterness, this is a perfect addition to a winters afternoon/evening while kicking back and listening to some of the black (or coloured) stuff spinning as you educate the youngsters about the music you grew up listening to and why it connected as strongly as it did.
Beer Soundtrack - You’ve Seen The Butcher by Deftones
Golden Hills Brewing - Pale Ale 4.2% ABV
Glass Style - Pint Glass Serving Temp - 6-8°
What They Say - Classic American style pale ale loaded with US hops that display typical characters of citrus and pine. Heavily dry-hopped to increase the aromatics whist keeping the bitterness in check.
What We Say - This pale is an absolute belter - mild bitterness, yet a decent citrus and pine profile with a nice malt presence. I could go on, but I’ll let this beer speak for itself.
Beer Soundtrack - Baby I’m Gettin’ Better by Gyroscope
Howler Brewing - Coconut and Pineapple Ice cream Sour 4.4% ABV
Glass Style - Teku/Stemmed Glass Serving Temp - 8-10°
What They Say - A kettle sour infused with fresh Australian Pineapple & Coconuts followed by a delicious ice-cream flavour.
What We Say - Pouring with a pale haze, this has heavy aromas of pineapple and coconut. Both are also extremely prevalent when you have that first taste, and are accompanied by a subtle yet noticeable tang from the kettle souring. Overall it’s a nice little nostalgia trip back to the ice creams of the 80’s that we enjoyed on those hot summer days.
Beer Soundtrack - Escape (The Pina Colada Song) by Jack Johnson
Bodriggy - Staunch Pilsner - ABV
Glass Style - Pilsner Glass Serving Temp - 4-6°
What They Say - Staunch is our new-world pilsner inspired by the brewing traditions of Germany. Herbaceous old-world hops are blended with uniquely fruity modern varieties, while a clean malt profile lets them shine. Staunch is a humble nod to noble heritage, but re-envisaged with the modern drinker in mind.
What We Say - Like many craft lagers being produced in Australia at the moment, this is crisp, clean and extremely well balanced. Nice little fruit hit intertwined with a brilliant malt profile. Another beer that wouldn’t have been out of place at our once legendary music festivals.
Beer Soundtrack - Monty by Spiderbait