If anyone has followed the career of Reid Stratton since the American first started brewing at New England Brewing Co in northern New South Wales, a career that has since taken him to Bright in the Victorian High Country then on to Boston in WA's South West, you'll be aware that here's someone unafraid to try new things. In most cases, if you heard a regional brewery had released an IPA featuring hemp at the same time as a porter brewed with beetroot you might been somewhat taken aback; here, however, it's as much a case of Reid being Reid.
Another thing you'll be well aware of with Boston's new head brewer is that no matter how fanciful his ideas might seem, he has a happy knack of pulling them off. In the case of Hemp IPA, a collaboration with Total Hemp Co, they've started out with a solid West Coast-leaning IPA and used the addition of hemp seeds to provide a subtle earthy tone and a little residual sweetness. They sit alongside the firm bitterness and lifted aromatics of citrus and apricot, plus a little earthiness, courtesy of tried and trusted US hop trio Columbus, Simcoe and Centennial hops.
For those who prefer their beers dark, the Beetroot Porter is more than likely to pique interest. Dark malts and classic English hops deliver semi-sweet chocolate, nuttiness and a light earthy hop character, with a generous addition of roasted beetroots adding a touch of crimson to the dense head as well as notes of madeira sugar, earthy tones and a savoury character that lasts well into the long, roasty finish.
Reid's arrival seems to have Boston's creative juices flowing, with both beers maintaining the Denmark operation's ability to turn out high quality limited releases.
Jono Outred
Published June 13, 2023 2023-06-13 00:00:00
