Melbourne’s Bonehead Brewing seems to be a good gauge of how craft beer currently looks, with the brewery taking inspiration from tradition and ignoring any such notions with two releases. Rauchbier is part of their Brewhouse Series and is that beer steeped in tradition, with it being inspired by Bamberg’s famous smoky lager. Pouring crystal clear with a deep amber hue, the Beechwood-smoked malts provide elements of bacon and charcoal-fired barbecue that are joined by some touches of biscuit and caramel and a dry and bitter finish that helps ensure one can might not be enough.
Anarchy black cold IPA meanwhile is surely a phrase that’s the stuff of nightmares for many German brewers. But here we are in 2022 and hopefully a combination of the words pale, India, black, cold and ale make you go, ‘Ah, of course, I understand what Bonehead are going for here’. If not, know that while it might pour looking like an ordinary stout, it’s anything but with a real leanness and crisp finish to Anarchy while its roasted and chocolatey notes ensure it's a long way from being a schwarzbier. As too do the classic American hop flavours brought by Simcoe, Amarillo and Centennial which bring out a mix of piney, earthy and citrusy flavours.
Will Ziebell
Published July 15, 2022 2022-07-15 00:00:00
