Winter might be drawing ever closer, but the team at Rocky Ridge are holding onto what’s left of the warmth in WA’s South West and spoiling punters with a range of pale-erring quaffers: two fruited sours and two approachable IPAs.
Kicking off with Mel’s Gin Sour – in its second iteration – you'll find bright acidity and sweet, ripe melon character dominating alongside a touch of soft, herbaceous character and a strikingly clean finish that allow light spice aromatics to linger. A refreshing and approachable sour that's seen them improve on the first version.
Holy Shit! It’s A Mid also makes it return, this time spiked with plum. Bold but approachable acidity is upfront before being cut with a touch of residual sweetness that suits the plump, ripe plum notes that present throughout, and last well after each sip.
Moving into IPA territory and we have Harvest Hazy, a collaboration with Margaret River’s Swings Taphouse. Brewed with sauv blanc grapes to coincide with the region's grape harvesting season, this refreshing beer features estery aromatics along with grassiness, zesty white wine and a tight, clean finish. A simple, but distinct and full-flavoured IPA to add to the Rocky Ridge roster.
Rounding out the quintet is Crispy As, a New Zealand cold IPA. The recently-created style has been receiving plenty of exposure and, for Rocky Ridge’s interpretation, a stack of NZ hops feature alongside a lean malt profile, combining to yield delicate floral aromatics alongside light citrus, fresh cut grass and a lasting but modest, tea-like bitterness.
Jono Outred
Published April 11, 2022 2022-04-11 00:00:00