As Sailors Grave collabs go, it has to be said this is a pretty strightforward one. They've got a pop-up Tap Bar in Meeniyan in cahoots with Trulli Pizza so, to pair with their pizzas, they've brewed an Italian pilsner, a hoppier take on the classic European style. There's not even any wacky ingredients within Birra del Marinaio (which translates to Sailor's Beer): water, malt, hops and yeast.
And yet, while much will be familiar to fans of such beers: distinctive straw / herbal florals waft from the slightly cloudy golden liquid, with the hops adding to the dryness of the cracker crisp malts. But there's something more lurking within: to me, it's like essence of vanilla filling the gaps between those spikier aromatics.
Presumably, it's been enticed from the Styrian Wolf hops which the labels credit for characteristics such as elderflower and violet; either way, it adds another dimension for those with a curious proboscis.
James Smith
The official launch is at Trulli Outdoors on February 23, ahead of their Local Beer Day event – Lost At Sea at Heartbreaker in Melbourne's CBD.
Published February 8, 2024 2024-02-08 00:00:00
