The reveal of the new Beerland Brut IPA during August's Beer Club blind tasting highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of this most nascent of styles. While Brutal IPA was celebrated by all for its white wine like characters, refined poise and drinkability, unfortunately the same couldn't be said of some of its stylistic peers. Whereas hazy New England style IPAs offer visual cues of quality to discerning drinkers, typically losing their brightness and developing a tired, murky look, it seems that allowing Brut IPAs to age beyond their prime can result in a beer that’s almost wilfully anodyne.
That's not an issue for Tom Fleay’s Beerland expression, which was only tapped mid August and shows life and finesse through its fine, prickly carbonation and a subtle sweetness that runs dry with almost no hop bitterness from the Hallertau Blanc, Citra and Slovenian Wolf hops – the last of which may be making its debut Australian appearance.
While its persuasive approachability and elegant execution is at odds with the decal – a riff on the Metalocalypse series – perhaps the overarching lesson with Brutal IPA, and Bruts in general, is that it’s something that needs to be enjoyed even fresher than most beers, preferably at the brewery itself.
Published August 20, 2018 2018-08-20 00:00:00