R-I-N-S-H and repeat - Ballistic has added a couple of new beers to their year-round Reef range.
While they’ve had a mid-strength red in the past, Ballistic brought this Red Ale up to 5.5 percent for a rounder mouthfeel and fuller flavour. It begins up front with a hoppy aroma of mango and berry - almost a suggestion of raspberry cordial - and before laying out the red carpet for the malt. Layers of burnt caramel and nuttiness bring depth, with a little bitterness wrapping it all up nicely.
When it comes to the XPA, you get a real sense of Far North Queensland with big sweet sticky pineapple filling your nose, joined by a little blueberry.* But the fruit is dialled back on the palate, and dry pine takes the lead with tropical notes playing a supporting role. This all then transitions to an earthy bitterness in the finish - tame at first, before amping up in the aftertaste.
You don’t have to head up to FNQ to experience the Reef - you can find these beers on tap at all Ballistic venues, in cans at all Ballistic locations except West End, as well as anywhere else Ballistic beers are found.
Mick Wust
*I mean a small amount of blueberry aroma. I don’t mean a single small blueberry. Although, if I had to choose between a single small blueberry or a big pineapple to go up my nose…
Published October 25, 2023 2023-10-25 00:00:00
