What's an XBA, you ask? Why, this is.*
This is the third annual collaboration between Malt Shovel and BentSpoke as they celebrate their friendship and mutual love of Belgian style ales. The 2021 iteration of BentShovel brings together a chewy amber malt bill, new-school hop varieties Idaho 7 and Cashmere and a farmhouse yeast to tie it all up with some of that lovely Belgian banana and spice character - all of which adds up to create an Extra Belgian Ale.
The deep hues in the glass tell of the malt richness it holds but while it starts with fruity esters and a sticky toffee character, both the malt and yeast flavours then ebb in a way that keeps it clean and moreish and not at all heavy. Pair with frites and good company and let the evening slip away.
Mick Wust
*Look, we're all still arguing about what an XPA is, so what's one more set of initials thrown into the mix?
Published May 6, 2021 2021-05-06 00:00:00
