Posted on 20/10/21
Oli Meade
It was all set to be relatively quiet on the new beer front this week. But, apparently, neither Track nor Overtone got the memo.
Both weighed in with belters, including a big juicy Overtone TIPA brewed with unusual hops, and a WCIPA from Track that’s as good as they come.
However, when Track release a new Gold Top, it’s always hard to beat. So that’s exactly where this list starts this week.
First up, Track’s Beautiful Escape Gold Top DIPA!
Extra pale malts make the base of Track’s latest gold top sticky-sweet, then oats two ways (rolled and malted), wheat AND lactose take the creaminess into unchartered territories.
Guava, mango and soft coconut bring things home – a velvety fruit salad with a raspberry sherbet finish.
Oh yes!
More into your West Coast stuff?
Well, Track have got you there too!
Track’s Dream Of The Gentle Flood WCIPA is as good as the West Coast IPA comes, with a German malt base introducing a warm, bready sweetness and caramel wafer goodness.
Citra, Strata and Idaho 7 add fuzzy peach, juicy nectarine and herbal bitterness. Sticky resin on the finish.
This is top drawer.
I’m not sure Overtone have released a bad beer yet, and Overtone’s Dancin’ Fool TIPA is an 11% monster that continues the trend.
Unusual zappa hops add something new – mountains of passion fruit with fresh mint and gentle spicy undertones – for a wicked autumnal Triple IPA.
Meanwhile, of all the THREE new monster DIPAs Overtone came out with this week, Pure Magic DIPA, is probably my DIPA of choice.
On the fruity side, I’m getting the peachy mango goodness the tasting notes promise, then there’s a citrus sprinkle to keep things fresh, but the arc de triumph is the huge hit of dank that lords over everything.
A triple-dry-hopped thick hop-cake. Why can’t all Double IPAs be as good as this?!
Honesty, I really did try to avoid ordering a pumpkin spiced beer this year! But when I saw Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Imperial Pumpkin Spice Latte Stout had S43 AND Brew York behind it I couldn’t resist!
And you know what? It’s actually lovely.
A big old ABV at 9.5%, with warming seasonal pumpkin pie spices, plus a double dose of roasty coffee.
Genuine USA pumpkin adds a nice, thick, natural sweetness.
If you try just one pumpkin spiced beer this year, let this be it!
Phantom & Tartarus collab Reaper Sticky Toffee Pudding Stout is also a nice autumnal warmer.
With Tartarus involved you can expect top drawer quality, and this 10%, dark, rich and chocolatey sweet, sticky caramel stout is just £6.60.
A steal for the quality. Be sure to check it out.
Finally, Hammerton are back!
Fan favourite Crunch Peanut Butter Milk Stout is back, as is City of Cake Chocolate Fudge Cake Stout, and Sundae Sauce is the new kid in town.
For those yet to try this, think of a soft scoop vanilla ice cream with a thick, crunchy, biscuit wafer.
Top that with oozy hot chocolate sauce. Then sprinkle the lot with warm crushed hazelnuts.
Yep, that’s Sundae Sauce… except it’s a beer!
The two new Overtone sours just in are both, quite frankly, immense.
Cherry Berry Magic Pastry Sour is your more down-the-line fruited sour, crammed full of sour berries for acidity, all balanced by sweet milk sugar, creamy white chocolate and Madagascan vanilla. Can you resist?!
Well, do your best, cause Spice Jam Spiced Plum & Blackberry Sour is even more interesting. Juicy plums and sour raspberries and blackberries in this one all combine with warming cinnamon for something special.
Pours a thick and vibrant purple too, which makes everything all the more outrageous, then a final sprinkle of vanilla wraps everything up. This is what sour brewing should be!
Finally, if you want to get in on Drop Project’s J-Tear Triple Fruited Sour you’ll need to be quick – after unexpectedly flying off the shelves there are only 3 left in stock at the time of writing!
Over 250 kilos of apricot, peach & mango fruit puree go into this big, bold and fruity sour, which is also packed with plenty of zesty crispness. It’s been mega popular – and I can see why.
The hop front this week has been dominated by Track and Overtone, and I’d encourage you to just have a lucky dip – especially if you’re new to either brewery.
Track receives more hype… but not if you’re me! I love Overtone, more and more people do, they’re a brewery on the up, so fill your boots.
Elsewhere, two fresh Neon Raptor hop drops await which you know are gonna be good. .WAV NEIPA is sweet and juicy with a trusty combo of Citra Cryo, Amarillo and Azacca hops, then Neon Raptor / Overtone collab Stuck on Shuffle in a NEIPA is a four-hop showcase of Cryo Pop, Idaho 7 Cryo, Ekuanot and Columbus (and, somehow, only £4.95!).
There’s more good Monk awaiting too, including The Enlightenment TIPA (just 2 left in stock), a 3.0% Session IPA and OFS052, which is an exploration of contemporary German brewing.
Phantom are also at the top of the hop-ensemble this week, with creamy Ball Pit NEIPA and hazy A Meal For Two NEIPA. A brewery that don’t get enough love. Both of these are solid.
With sours starting to give way to winter warmers, now’s a good time to stock up. How about this box of 12 epic sours for £59.95 delivered? This is limited!
Finally, remember, if you want to get £20 off either of our Craft Beer Advent Calendars this year, you’ll need to order before the end of the month (quick warning though – I’m expecting them to sell out)!
Happy drinking!
Oli
(The founder)
Step 1
We trawl the globe tasting great beer
