A few hours drive south from Wollongong is the home of Ryefield Hops, growers of organic hops supplied to a small but growing number of breweries across Australia. One such brewery is The Barrel Shepherd, who work with the Bemboka growers on an annual whole cone, dry-hopped release called Sonnenschein – German for sunshine.
The 2023 release featured a blend of three different barrels, creating a golden sour base to which Victoria hops were added – straight after being plucked from the bines. Given all the elements at play, you wouldn't call it obviously hoppy, with the fresh hops working with the funk and oak of the base beer to create quite the journey for your palate.
The funk of the base beer hits first, with hints of barnyard in the mix, before it moves into softer, more floral territory. I shared a bottle with a wine drinker who would never normally touch a beer (the sort of wine drinker for whom such beers are surely designed) and she referenced lychee – not so much the juicy flavours, more their fragrant, floral aromas – while there's a touch of the savoury there alongside a lovely clean acidity.
James Smith
Published June 1, 2023 2023-06-01 00:00:00
