Test Lab Brewery (Christchurch) have been on the rise this year, and given that they’re a brewery I could walk to, I’ve been gravely remiss in taking this long to feature one of their beers.  And as my first check-in with their range, it was always going to be the West Coast IPA, as is only proper.

Pale Alien (6.2%) delivers fresh pineapple, grapefruit and juniper notes mixed with a rich malt in the aroma, while the palate delivers ripe citrus and melon that mesh beautifully with the exquisitely juicy and expressive malt base.  Long and satisfying, with the abundant flavours, gradually and precisely unfolding to a reserved and brooding bitter finish.  This is West Coast IPA in the fundamentally classic style, and one of the most true-to-form NZ-brewed examples I’ve tasted in a long time.

test lab