You'd struggle to find two more disparate beers than this pair which departed Deeds' Glen Iris home side-by-side. As such, it's another insight into the diversity on offer from the team that picked up multiple trophies at the 2023 Australian International Beer Awards.
Maverick Sour is a 4 percent ABV passionfruit sour – the sort of beer we've seen frequently over the past few years – but comes packing plenty of the brewery's signature oomph, from a level of passionfruiting well beyond most beers of its ilk, to the added zing brought by a dash of lime. The inspiration is the Maverick, or Pornstar, Martini, which means there’s vanilla in there too, but not to the extent it was found in their Milk Bar series. Instead it adds a milky creaminess that actually reminds me of a White Russian once the fireworks subside.
Fans of Deeds will be well-versed with Once More Into The Fray, their bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout that's something of a cult classic. It has a head darker than most brown ales and thick as cake mix. Sweet, sugary bourbon aromas leave you in little doubt as to where it’s been hanging out for 12 months. And the gloopular texture and gathering warmth leave you in no doubt what’s happened to what would have been a hefty beast even before it moved into said barrels.
It's easy to understand why it’s become an icon for the brewery, given everything – chocolate, vanilla fudge, oak, aged sherry and dark molasses – is layered on with the most generous of trowels.
James Smith
Published October 11, 2023 2023-10-11 00:00:00
