Bad Shepherd Brew Crew Series 14: The Haze Of Revan

Style
Black NEIPA
ABV
6.2%
Bitterness
30 IBU

Of all the four million beers I've sampled since leaping aboard the roller-coaster marked The Crafty Pint, I can't say I recall trying a black NEIPA. Or a red or brown one (well, other than all the oxidised ones) for that matter, which seems a little odd in this climate of anything goes. Here to fix the situation is Steve, "Venue Vanguard" at Bad Shepherd, with their 14th Brew Crew release, one that mixes cloudiness, specialty malts and a quintet of US hops.

It has a gravy-esque appearance when leaving the can for your glass (maybe a reason why there haven't been too many?) before its aromas bring to mind many of the unlikely bedfellows inherent in black IPAs: some fruity, citrusy hops taken into dark berry and vaguely herbal territory by the darker malts, which also bring the bitter dark chocolate. This edge to the dark malts make The Haze Of Revan less perceptibly soft, more bitter than common or garden NEIPAs even at a relatively steady 30 IBUs.

Maybe it's down to the appearance of the pour, but I picked up (or imagined) a savoury / umami edge to proceedings like those sometimes found in stouts. As for the label artwork, there's a Star Wars meets The Avalanches vibe – and the beer inside has as much to unpick as you'd expect from such an unlikely collision.

James Smith

Published April 30, 2021

Name
Bad Shepherd
Address

386 Reserve Road
Cheltenham
VIC 3192

Phone
(03) 8555 3175
Open Hours

Mon & Tues: 4.30pm onwards
Wed to Thurs: midday to 11pm
Fri & Sat: midday to midnight
Sunday: midday to 8pm

Regular events

Wednesday: 50c wings all evening, with around seven different wing sauces and rubs available.

CBCo Goldy
Black Bad Boy Bao 2024 B

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