Beer Little Bang Bliss Point & Emotional Rescue

Nobody in Australia has released more hazy IPAs than Little Bang. Admittedly, they rigged the system somewhat when they released 12,000 different ones at the same time, but it's an area they've explored even outside that wee detour. And they're back at it again here.

Bliss Point is, booze wise at least, the smaller of the equally opaque duo, and pours a few shades darker too. Before we get to the hops (Nelson Sauvin, Nectaron and Strata since you asked), it's worth mentioning it possesses a crushed biscuit base sweetness reminiscent of many a dessert dish from my 80s childhood, while there's a syrupy nature to the passionfruit curd-meets-tropical perfume aromas too. If someone told you it was an oat cream you’d believe them, such is it’s density, yet there’s a lively sharpness to the hops and bitterness, seemingly aided by the pH level which helps lighten the load a little.

Give DDH DIPA Emotional Rescue a swirl and not only does the action reinforce a head that’s only a percentage point off becoming meringue but you can also see the bubbles fighting to get through the ooze. Yet, despite being the bigger beer by some distance, it has the flightier aroma: stone fruit, candied oranges, creamy vanilla and cake spices leading the way. They're all given a boozy boost on the palate, creating nothing less than a kaleidoscopic display of hop aromatics. It’s said Talus is a hop variety with an array of talents waiting to be unlocked but it also seems to play really well with others. And that’s the case here, where it sits with Mosaic, Ekuanot and Amarillo, while a touch of resinous bitterness does its best to offer a semblance of balance. A really top notch imperial hazy I'll be noting down for when it comes to "Best New SA Beers of 2023" time.

James Smith