There’s something delightfully simple and to-the-point about the name Sunshine Juice. Just like a Jules Verne novel, this beer is aptly named: Journey To The Centre Of The Earth is about a journey to the centre of the earth; Around The World In 80 Days is about someone travelling around the world in 80 days; Sunshine Juice looks like sunshine and tastes like juice. Whether the Wayward crew were channelling simpler times when naming conventions were straightforward, or just using a word frequency app to find words most associated with hazy IPAs, they’ve landed on a beer name you can’t argue with.
But arguing is one of my favourite hobbies; I can never just let sleeping hops lie. So here’s my point of contention: Wayward have built Sunshine Juice up with Motueka and Rakau hops from New Zealand and US Citra, but two of these varieties are hiding behind the clouds. As a rule, Motueka boasts lime zest and Citra is sometimes called "the most citrusy aroma hop", but this beer doesn’t give me any hint of citrus. To my palate, this is all about stone fruit nectar, which is closer to the description the breeder of Rakau gives, calling that variety "the whole orchard".
It’s also got a pleasant acidity (although not sour) and some malt graininess (but only after you’re a third of the way through the can)… but a cocktail of stonefruit nectar is where I’ll plant my flag.
Anyone think any differently? Come argue with me. I’ve still got some juice in the tank.
Mick Wust
Published November 12, 2021 2021-11-12 00:00:00
