With the turn of the weather and the rising of the sun, so too comes a change in the nature of limited releases: from the dark and brooding to the light and quaffable. McLaren Vale’s Swell have been quick off the mark to make the change with the arrival of the aptly-named Spring Sessions: a 4.2 percent ABV American pale ale with a light malt base that allows the Mosaic hops to shine.
The aim was to inject big hop flavours in a lower ABV beer, not sacrificing flavour for lower booze and they are bang on the money. The Mosaic dominates, taking on tropical Pasito soft drink vibes. There's passionfruit aplenty, alongside equal measures of mango, lychee and pineapple. It really is a tropical fruit bowl. There is a little biscuit malt woven in as well, finishing with a crisp, dry finish and only a lick of bitterness.
