This IPA from Brothers Beer (5.9 per cent ABV) utilises the new Cryo Pop pellets from Yakima Chief. They are extracted from a blend of American hops and designed as a fire-and-forget solution to aroma in an IPA.  Are they any good?  Let’s see… The nose is clean and relatively soft, with stone fruit, white grape and grapefruit citrus along with a streak of more lifted tropical melon and pineapple.  The palate is still a fairly soft touch, with the tropicals and citrus taking command alongside a nicely dry crunchy malt.  A light body, rapid palate and keen bitterness all make for a supremely drinkable IPA that I could blast through a couple of pints of all too easily.  As for the effectiveness of Cryo Pop, I’ll need to try some more examples before rendering a verdict, but I’d say it’s working well here.

Exploring Vancouver’s historic Brewery Creek

It's 12 years between drinks in Vancouver, but I'm finally back at one of my favourite taprooms. In late 2014, Brassneck Brewery was just a year old, but it's now transitioned from craft beer pioneer to a community hub for the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. Brassneck's...

Don’t Fear The Dark — How To Enjoy Stout

In 15 years writing and talking about beer, I’ve learned the style that most surprises people — once they give it a chance — is stout. The fear is about the “weight” of the beer — that it’ll be “heavy” and/or high in alcohol. Or it’s a fear based on a fledgling sip of...

Price of Beer: Paying More Might Be Worth It

Inflation, that invisible bandit, has been nicking coins out of our pockets faster than you can say “another round, please.” It’s no wonder we wince when we see the price of beer these days. The old “cheap as chips” supermarket beer now looks like a bargain bin...

Fermented Culture — After The Fall

An email comes crashing through the ether like Arnold Schwarzenegger on a motorbike shouting come with me if you want to drink… “I write to you my Friends from the Past in the 9th month of the year of our lord 2036. The changes we have seen over the last decade seem...

Continued Consolidation with Volstead Takeover

The group behind Christchurch’s small and experimental Concept Brewing have taken over the larger Volstead Trading Co and brewery, continuing the consolidation of the industry that’s been the trend of the past year. And the owners are joined by American Steve Sloan,...

Globe-trotting Kiwi Brewer Sets Up In Singapore

Nick Calder-Scholes the Kiwi brewer behind the phenomenal success of Sydney’s One Drop is now head brewer at the just-opened People People Brewing Co. in Singapore. He talks about his global journey. Nick Calder-Scholes spent his teenage summers in Nelson picking...