Posted on 17/03/22
I tend to write a round up like this every week – but this week things are a bit different!
That’s cause this week I went on a Pretty Woman style shopping spree, gathering up all the best beers from all the sh*t-hot breweries I’ve never before been able to get in – so there’s tons of new stuff below, check these ouuuuut!
When a new brewery opens up by ex Cloudwater head brewer James Campbell, what do you do?
Here’s what I did – I beat a path to its door, gathered up every beer I could get my hands on, drank way more than I intended and, like everyone, I haven’t stopped talking about the quality ever since!
If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about there are two pale ales to dig into online, plus a gorgeous NEIPA and Bring Me The Head of John The Accountant DIPA. I think my favourite is the DIPA – but then the NEIPA is so keenly priced, if you’re on a bit of a budget beeline for it. (Update: we’ve been ransacked, and these are now unfortunately out of stock. To be notified first when we get new beer in, sign up to our mailing list below.)
While the Sureshot beers were always going to be great, the story of Baron couldn’t be more different. Basically, it seems like one guy, from absolutely nowhere, just went ‘yeah, I’ll brew some beer’, and has somehow ended up with two of the best hoppy beers of 2022 so far!
Hot Hands Pale Ale is loaded with orangey tangerines and has this silky smooth texture that’s hard to describe… but Matterbaby DIPA? This is a thick tropical soup that’s so creamy it coats your mouth then just refuses to leave – it’s an outstanding beer that really does merit the current Baron hype.
500ml cans too. Win!
Next up, Gravity Well, who I’ve wanted to get in for a long time now, but who never have enough beer to go around – which goes to show the quality of their operation!
Quantum Chaos DIPA is a thick and juicy mango and pineapple medley with squeeze of lemon, while Relativistic Beaming NEIPA all passionfruit and coconut with a bitter, vinous, gooseberry finish.
I’m showcasing the NEIPA here, but if you can, get both – these are ace!
With the amount of new breweries in it’d be so easy to overlook the usuals this week, but Track’s Sunset Trains Pale Ale demands attention as another belter!
With a smooth body, a biscuity sweetness, juicy pineapple jam with a little bitterness – it’s got it all!
Meanwhile, Pomona Island’s The Riddle Of Steel WCIPA carries the West Coast IPA flag wonderfully.
It’s an alluring amber in colour with not a drop of haze, then packed with resinous pine and a biting, hoppy bitterness – this is one hell of a WCIPA!
(Update: Our best beers sell out quickly and unfortunately, this is now out of stock. To get first pick of all the best stuff in future, just join our mailing list.)
It’s the battle of the Dark Milds – Boxcar are in competition with themselves!
Double Dark Mild you already know how good it is – a Cadbury’s fruit and nut with a smooth, thick, creamy body.
Just when you think they’ve achieved perfection Triple Dark Mild takes things up another level – with that same smooth, silky body, more chocolate, juicy plum, and warming booze from the 9% ABV – absolutely immense!
Polly’s are known for their hops, but you might have also noticed that recently they’ve been owning the Black IPA scene.
B-Side: Spur Black IPA is as good a black IPA you’re going to get all year long – Citra, Simcoe and Azacca combine for the joooooose, while dark roasted malts handle the roasty, chocolatey backbone. Oh yeah.
For those on their own no-holds-barred shopping spree, there’s Track’s BA Black Is Beautiful Double Coffee Imperial Stout.
After almost two years in rum barrels, expect a vanilla, almond and sticky date caramel-treacle, all topped up with fresh roasted espresso. Guaranteed to age well – if you can resist!
While some brewers are for some reason holding back on sours at the minute, Pastore clearly haven’t got the memo, for which we can rejoice, cause Margarita All’ananas Pineapple Margarita Gose is as good as it sounds!
It’s not a thick gloopy number by any stretch – that is not what this is trying to be!
It’s more like a beautiful palate cleanser made of pineapple, zesty orange and sour lime. The pineapple is what lingers, before a lovely hint of salt finishes things off – a proper gem!
Pomona Island have been souring stuff this week too – in the form of Literal Vampire Potbelly Goblins Sour DIPA. Sour IPAs don’t get much love, but if they’re your thing, this is a right treat.
Brew York’s Blood Eagle Blood Orange IPA revels in citrus, while Polly’s Tiger Bliss NZ Pale Ale blurs the line between pale ale and IPA.
There’s more of fan-favourite Locals IPA from Beak just in too, and a DIPA that really should get more airtime in Overtone’s Cutting Shapes DIPA (juicy mango & coconut with lingering bitterness – lovely stuff).
DEYA’s Routes To Remember IPA amalgamates juicy berry and pine, and there’s another wicked WCIPA awaiting in the Track/Sureshot collab Arc WCIPA.
Elsewhere, there’s dark fun to be had in Brew York’s Viva Flori-Ever! Cinnamon Bun & Coffee Pastry Stout, Left Handed Giant’s Fake Empires Blueberry, Cherry & Honeycomb Stout is as indulgent as it sounds, there’s a popular pilsner just in from Drop Project, there’s a Dry Hopped Pilsner from Track and Left Handed Giant’s Feedback Loop Hazy IPA is an IPA full of peach.
This week though it really is all about those new hype brews, so get dive in, get acquainted and find yourself a new favourite brewery to explore.
I hope you get to try some of these monsters this week.
Cheers and happy drinking!
Oli, Olly & Charlie
(The three people behind Craft Metropolis)
Step 1
We trawl the globe tasting great beer
