Leaping fast out of the starting gates in order to stay a few lengths ahead of the IP lawyers, Endeavour has released a beer just in time for the Melbourne Cup. Part celebration, part homage and mostly just an opportunity too good to pass up, Melba Bitter was the first new beer made by head brewer JB following the birth of his first child.
Using his newly acquired ability to make dad jokes combined with the beer using Melba hops and a release right on the cusp of the major racing carnival in his hometown, the beer effectively named itself. But there’s little here to confuse it with the much more famous pale lager from the CUB stable.
For starters, Endeavour’s MB has been made in the style of an English Best Bitter, leaning on some darker caramel and chocolate malts for sweetness and richness, while an English yeast and lower carbonation help deliver a more traditional cask ale type feel. The Aussie touch that’s present in all Endeavour’s beers comes from the Melba hops, which were added with the intention of adding an oaky spiciness and candied orange character alongside of a firm bitterness and dry finish.
Nick O
Published November 6, 2017 2017-11-06 00:00:00