Beer Stomping Ground Cherry Smash & Red Moon

Stomping Ground have been steadily releasing new cans since COVID-19 saw venues close and the brewery doesn’t look to be slowing down as Melbourne’s second lockdown kicks in. There’s Cherry Smash, the latest in the long-running fruited sour series from the brewery with one key difference: nitro cans. Other than tiny bubbles, the beer is also filled with cherries and lactose to make a bright red and equally soft beer. To my mind it was mostly reminiscent of tart cherry lollies from my childhood which, now that I think about it, might never have existed but I can say for certain is that Cherry is the most winter appropriate Smash to date.

Then there’s Blood Moon, a red IPA best drunk while floating through space. It seems like a particularly good way to socially distance and is a beer lush with rich toffee malts, gripping bitterness and pithy grapefruit and pine from the hops.

Will Ziebell