Back in the earliest days of The Crafty Pint, fresh hop releases were rarities; indeed, the longest-running series of such beers had only just commenced in the shape of Bridge Road's first Harvest Ale (which came top in a very early, pre-website launch, blind-tasting-of-sorts we ran with a few mates in and outside the beer world). Fast forward 13 years and not only are such beers commonplace at this time of year, but there's also events and festivals celebrating them in most states.
Yet Noodledoof, the brewers who ply their trade in Koroit in Victoria's west, have still managed to do something a little different for their 2023 releases. Sure, they're both IPAs and both brewed with fresh hops, but one features hops supplied by the country's largest grower, Hop Products Australia, and one is brewed with hops Noodles has grown with his neighbours on properties in Koroit itself.
Starting with the former, given there won't be a reader among you who's not tried beers featuring Galaxy, and you've got liquid with a deep copper hue reminiscent of traditional West Coast IPAs and a full off-white head. The tropi-citrus characteristics for which Galaxy is well known come across leaner and lighter than in beers featuring the processed version of the hops – even the malt presents leaner and drier than its compatriot – while a grassiness and soft bitterness complete the Galaxy Fresh Hop IPA.
Which brings us to one of the surprise packages of the year so far: the Farm Fresh Hop IPA. The homegrown hop varieties at play are classic American varieties Chinook and Cascade plus Victoria, a variety dropped from HPA's hop-breeding program many moons ago but now finding favour with some of the country's small, indie growers. And they come together in a banging old school IPA. The rich copper colour prepares you for the light caramel backbone before orange hits first: crisp and clear – aromatic and perfumed but still fruit forward. You might pick out a little red berry, while there's pine aplenty in its balancing West Coast bitterness. A really excellent IPA, fresh hop or otherwise.
James Smith
Published April 30, 2023 2023-04-30 00:00:00
