Posted on 24/03/23
Roll up beer lovers and gather round, cause I’m back once again to tell you all about the best new beer releases we’ve unearthed this week, new hoppy stuff all the way from Italy, something juicy and bitter inspired by the West Coast, and Neon’s new Easter beer – based on Mini Eggs!
First up though we turn our attention to Verdant – in what could be their best IPA ever…
It might seem like an obvious thing to say but Verdant really are a bleedin brilliant brewery.
Whether rebrewing citrusy classics like Fruit Car Sight Exhibition DIPA or coming out with new hoppy goodness, they just get better and better, and this week Lightning Struck Itself IPA once again proves how good the Cornish outfit can be.
Citrusy-tinged, vinous, luscious and thick goodness. With Verdant, you cannot go wrong.
Next up this week, I’m loving Orto e Apiario IPA from Italian hopmeisters CRAK.
Here you have a brewery that strikes the perfect blend of innovation without going wayward, while celebrating local produce at the same time.
Orto e Apiario IPA sums this up perfectly – with just a hint of fresh honey on the tongue and luscious hops on show.
Elsewhere CRAK’s Agriturismo e Malteria spelt IPA is interesting, with a smidge of wheatiness and spice from the spelt that pokes through the brews tropical, juicy goodness.
Try one of these babies out.
The West Coast resurgence has been gathering pace lately, and when Pomona Island are offering up brews like If I Hear the Music, I’m Gonna Dance IPA it’s easy to see why!
Here strata, enigma, galaxy and zappa all collide for a seriously juicy affair with classic pine-tinged bitterness in droves.
Immense.
Speaking of West Coasts, big-ABV fans are in for a real treat this week with an epic partnership between Double Barrelled and Elusive.
Perpetual Motion is 8% of dank goodness and bad-ass bitterness, while those who need more hazy juice can turn to Overtone’s big bring Shatter TIPA and Starstruck Express TIPA – Starstruck just takes the win for me with a more passionfruit mellowness on the finish.
With Easter just around the corner breweries are naturally amping up the chocolate, as is exemplified by Moersleutel’s new Willy Tonka & the Seven Chocolates!
Here you have 7(!) different additions colliding to take the chocolatey goodness to uncharted territory, yet you can expect a drinkability, smoothness and maturity that’s pure brilliance.
How anyone can keep so much chocolate in check is a mystery but Moersleutel have done it – this is ace.
Rounding off the dark front, Neon’s Mini Egg Clusters is here!
Mini eggs! Easter! Beer!
This is rich, chocolatey, sweet, silly and great – get involved!
When Overtone and Vault City get together you’d be insane not to take notice, so the latest Berry, Acai Maple and Coffee sour – Overnight Oats should be worth your attention this week…
It’s thick and fruity up front with the raspberry and blueberries, then it punches through with a hint of fresh coffee beans and a tickle of sticky maple. Yes!
The award for my favourite branding this week goes to Neon and their Knightmare-inspired brews.
Spellcasting “Potion” Sour is laden with lemons and blue raspberries and magically transfers you back to those heady days in the 90’s watching kids in a helmet side-stepping superimposed spiders.
No idea what I’m talking about? You’re too young for your own good!
Notable mentions this week that I simply couldn’t fit in include Dilson DIPA, Sureshot’s DIPA version of the excellent Milson, and sours like No Dart Board, Just a Dart and 23rd of Loneliness – which both show the strength of Pomona Island’s left-field sour brewing.
Finally Track’s Rise Early DIPA is an outstanding beer full of peach that slips down far too easily, and that proves Track are just getting better and better with big beers.
Happy shopping my beery buddies. Cheers for your support!
Oli, Charlie & Agnes
(The people behind Craft Metropolis)
Step 1
We trawl the globe tasting great beer
