Hooray for dark beer weather!!!
Winter isn’t coming, it’s here! Good thing we have an abundance of amazing dark and winter friendly beers in Australia, as well as some beers that can help us forget about the cold and pretend it’s summer again!
This month we’ve got two new breweries we’re featuring - Wicked Elf Brewing from Port Macquarie and Warrandyte Brewing Co. (I’ll let you guess where they’re from…). On top of that, we’ve got limiteds from Banks Brewing, Gweilo and Co-Conspirators, seasonal joy from WOTW and Kaiju as well as some solid core range beers.
As always, I’d love to hear what you think about the cube contents, what you’d like to see in future cubes or any breweries that you think we should hit up - feel free to sling me an email at cheers@mrmods.beer or tag us in your IG posts (@mrmods.beer).
Mad love and thanks for the support.
Love Rob x
Tasting Notes
Banks Brewing - Cake Eater 8% ABV
Suggested Glass - Pint Glass Serving Temp - 6-8°
What they say - Our most sought after & signature Series beer here at Banks Brewing, Cake Eater is an Oat Cream Double IPA. Brewed just a handful of times throughout the year, Cake Eater has an ever changing and evolving hop combination that allows us to showcase just how unique & incredible different hop varieties can be. This iteration like all gets a generous double dry hop seeing Cashmere & Eldorado take centre stage this time around. With distinct tropical orange, citrus & candied fruit characteristics up front then a smooth and pillowy mouthfeel thanks to the oats & lactose. It's a seriously juicy treat with just the right amount of sweetness.
What we say - Big. Juicy. Creamy. Need we say more? If you’ve ever had Banks’ Cake Eater, then you know what to expect here. This is stupidly well balanced, the 8% ABV is nowhere to be seen while you’re drinking it and it looks and smells just like a juice you’d find at a juice making facility. The oats give a delightful, creamy mouthfeel and the lactose adds just the right amount of sweetness. Pour this bad boy into a nice big glass, fire up AIC’s MTV Unplugged on YouTube and just kick back and enjoy.
Beer Soundtrack - No Excuses by Alice in Chains (or just listen to their entire MTV Unplugged album!)
KAIJU - Cthulu on the Moon 6.5% ABV
Suggested Glass - IPA Glass Serving Temp - 6-8°
What they say - The beer on the moon sucks. Ask Cthulhu – he knows the gravity’s too low. Partial to an oxymoron, when he’s thirsty he always reaches for a KAIJU! Black IPA... and destroys it. A complex malt bill, yet refreshing beer, delivers layers of roasty flavours, coffee and panela, offset by a herbaceous hop profile.
What we say - This is a perfect example of a solid BIPA. Pours as black as the metal from Norway, with a coffee aroma strong enough to make any coffee roasted turn their head to see what that intoxicating scent is. That’s enough descriptive talk though - this bangs more than Ricky Martin! Kick back and enjoy.
Beer Soundtrack - Traust by Heilung
KAIJU - Paradise Pils 4.7% ABV
Suggested Glass - Pilsner Glass Serving Temp - 3-4°
What they say - Paradise Pils! Inspired by Nat's trip to the Pilsner cellars of Bohemia. A self-confessed IPA-fiend, everything that Nat believed to be true was challenged the fateful day he drank unfiltered Pilsner in the cellars of Urquell. Since then he has been working towards putting a unique KAIJU! spin on this classic lager style. Paradise Pils brings crisp palate perfection layered with fruity new world, German and US hops.
What we say - Crisp? Check. Fruity? Not overly, but check. Extremely well balanced and with a smashing malt backbone? Double check!
Beer Soundtrack - E Talking by Soulwax
Wolf of the Willows - Johnny Smoked Porter 6.4% ABV
Suggested Glass - Goblet Serving Temp - 4-6°
What they say - Campfire smoke evolves to a smooth, moderate body and earthy hop bitterness, finishing with layers of dark chocolate and espresso. Smoke up Johnny...
What we say - You know those beers that taste exactly like what is written on the can? Well this is one of those beers. This tastes like I want to be sitting around a campfire with Scotty from WOTW talking about life, music and rolling down a snowfield in a park barrel. Smokey, with richness AND bitterness from dark chocolate and black coffee all rolled into one. Enjoy x
Beer Soundtrack - Dead Star by Silverkord
Warrandyte Brewing Co. - Seasonal Ale 4.2% ABV
Suggested Glass - Pilsner Glass Serving Temp - 3-4°
What they say - The Sunnyside Ale is a beer for the community. An Australian pale ale brewed locally to be enjoyed with family and friends, on any occasion, all year round. It's an easy drinking pale ale that's low in bitterness and full to the brim of tropical fruit flavours which makes it an ideal plus one to any party.
El Dorado & Simcoe hops used gives off tropical aromas of fruits such as stone fruits, pineapple, watermelon and grape fruit! With the addition of Verdant Yeast which brings out these delicious flavours and makes this pale ale such an afternoon delight.
What we say - This is the first time we’ve featured Warrandyte brewing, and it definitely won’t be the last. This is a solid pale ale with a rocking hop profile loaded with tropical fruit. Crank up the heater, listen to some Aus rock and pretend it’s summer again.
Beer Soundtrack - Black Sheets by Birds of Tokyo
Wicked Elf - Fastidious Bastard IPA 6.8% ABV
Suggested Glass - IPA Glass Serving Temp - 4-6°
What they say - One for all the hop heads out there. The IPA s of America's West Coast are about as hoppy as they come. This painstaking homage to the India Pale Ale tradition throws out citrus, spice and a hint of pine forest, before heading home with a long bitter finish.
What we say - Another new brewery for the Craft Cubes! This is a great example of what a West Coast IPA should be - citrus, pine and a solid bitterness holding it all together. Add to that an amazing light amber colour and you’ve ticked all the boxes.
Beer Soundtrack - Ratamahatta by Sepultura
Wicked Elf - Porter 6.2% ABV
Suggested Glass - Pint Glass Serving Temp - 4-6°
What they say - Craft brewed on the NSW coast - this robust porter packs a smooth punch. The scent of roasted coffee rises from the motley blend of the finest Aussie, German and British hops. Dark as a winter storm rolling in, but a heck of a lot friendlier.
What we say - Let’s start with the visuals shall we? Pouring a dark brown with a tan head, this Porter gives off a sweet chocolate like aroma, or possibly even a mocha like dealio. The palate is robust alright - with lashings of biscuity/toffee laden goodness. To really make the most of this, get everyone in your house to pack a bag, carry their bags to the car for them then go sit in the kitchen and enjoy this, knowing you’re following in the footsteps of the fine folk that this beer was named after.
Beer Soundtrack - Secret Garden by Spiritbox
Co-Conspirators - Nonna Pilsner 5% ABV
Suggested Glass - Pilsner Glass Serving Temp - 3-4°
What they say - A classic Italian Pilsner thats as satisfying a big hug from Nonna. Conspired with Small Axe, She’s a light-bodied mama made with Italian Adriatic Coastal Barley and Noble Hops. A Perfume of gentle citrus and spice wafts around the living room, while water cracker malts give a dry, crisp finish that lingers longer than nonnas lipstick on your cheeks. Nonna always says you need to eat more, so why not grab four.
What we say - Take a crystal clear straw yellow body with a super subtle citrus aroma, add a generous pinch of bitter orange/lemon, a sprinkling of malt sweetness and a hearty dry finish and you’ll find yourself with the latest Pilsner from Co-Conspirators. Guaranteed to impress your Nonna. Or Nuna. Or Nan.
Beer Soundtrack - Title Holder by the Interupters
Gweilo - Key Lime Pie Sour 7% ABV
Suggested Glass - Tulip Glass Serving Temp - 4-6°
What they say - Key Lime Pie Sour transforms this tasty dessert into a beer. Barley, oats and wheat combine to create the biscuit base, on which we layer tart citrus flavours from the lime, balanced by the sour cream body. The sharp and sweet combo makes for a tasty brew!
What we say - This really is something different - it’s one of those beers that could prove to be rather divisive - kind of like the recent Boba Fett series on Disney+. From the sharp, bitter yet slightly sweet aroma to the tart yet biscuity taste that finishes with a lingering bitterness wrapped in a creamy mouthfeel. Thumbs up or down, this beer will definitely be an experience.
Beer Soundtrack - Squeeze Me Macaroni by Mr Bungle