To mark the final moments of 2023, Bright Brewery have released a mix of festive beers. OK, maybe they aren’t strictly “festive” in the sense they don’t taste like Christmas pud or ham but if you brought this trio along to a big lunch, you’d certainly feel satisfied.
Irrationally Hazy is a thick and smooth oat cream pale ale packed with Mosaic, Kohatu, Motueka, Enigma and Idaho 7. But despite the name, it’s not all that irrational at all thanks to those hops bring quite a quintessential hazy pale mix of mango, melon and juicy orange while a light finish keeps it in the sessionable camp.
Big Jolly Boi was designed for that meditative moment during Christmas where you’re staring deeply into the soul of your barbecue and as your prawns burn, their crisp remains take all your worst moments from the year with them (OK, I admit I might be projecting here). The old school West Coast IPA has the kind of chewy, orange malt base we don’t often see in hoppy beers anymore and was made with a mix of Magnum, Columbus, Simcoe, Citra, Amarillo and Azacca for an earthy mix of resin, grapefruit and caramel with a bitter finish.
Thirdly, Lemonade Radler was made by blending a crisp lager and adding both lemonade and fresh lemon. So zesty is that lemon that if you told me it used lime, I would believed you, while the beer's refreshig and slightly sweet nature is a reminder of why cyclists came up with the style in the first place.
Will Ziebell
Published December 15, 2023 2023-12-15 00:00:00
