West Coast IPA lovers can get ready to be hit with hefty wafts of intense and primal hops before they’ve even had a chance to admire the clear honey gold appearance that is Badlands' West Coast IPA. Opening bold yet balanced, pine, grapefruit and oily hop notes slowly expand over your tongue and cheeks as you sit a little in awe. The robust 6.7 percent ABV hits just right in an IPA that's MSG-like in the way the resinous flavour profile encourages repeated sipping.
One of the Orange brewery's seasonal classics is back with a mutinous vengeance too, in this case Trinity Strong Porter. An ominous opaque shade of dark, dark earth, Trinity cradles some meaty aromas including dark chocolate and toasted almonds. Chocolate is at the forefront, with sweet complexities coming from the vanilla – both of which have been soaked in rum to make up this self-described "unholy trinity" of flavours that makes this beer very fun, engaging and easy to write about. And, at a bitter and warming 6.1 percent ABV, Trinity won’t leave you walking your wobbly legs down the plank.
For GABS 2024, Badlands looked to do Scotland rather prouder than the national team at the Euros. Wee heavy Feiladh-Mòr – "great kilt", a reference to their Kilt Scottish ale – pours a dead-ringer for golden syrup with a creamy head, then hits you with boozy aromas of sultanas, brown sugar and brandy. At 9.1 percent ABV you might want to start with a wee sip, knowing that's all you need to pick up potent notes of plum, caramel and sweet and salty malts.
A proper night cap, friend of people who forgot their blankets, and homesick Scots who need something to sip alongside some some of grannie's homemade cornershop tablet (Google it).
Benedict Kennedy-Cox
Published July 15, 2024 2024-07-15 00:00:00
