The new year has seen Adelaide brewery Shapeshifter unveil a new look for their brand. And, alongside the reimagined core range comes a trio of limited releases.
Sports Mode is a hazy pale referencing Crocs, specifically imaging the popular footwear switched to sports mode in beer form. It features a shopping list of different hops – Sabro, Wai-iti, Amarillo and Nelson Sauvin SubZero Hop Kief – and local SA producer Ferveo’s English Ale 11 yeast tying it all together.
It's a case of letting the pineapple reign forth: huge and juicy, supported by a decent hit of passionfruit, a little peach, and a background flutter of coconut. As you'd expect in a hazy pale, the mouthfeel is soft, while Sports Mode comes with a balanced bitterness and a nice dryness throughout.
Culture Shock is a Japanese rice lager inspired by that nation's reputation for keeping the trains running on time. Brewed with flaked rice and Sorachi Ace hops with origins in Japan, it brings many elements to the table. Quaffable and easy to drink, doughy, bready elements form the dominant flavour profile, alongside some herbal and spice notes, and a finish that's crisp, dry and has a subtle acidic clip.
Eclipse is a West Coast IPA the brewers say has been "Reshaped from The Fruity Way" – a reference to the Milky Way. What does this mean in liquid form? On the one hand, it's bright and hoppy like the stars, on the other it's dank and crisp like the darkness of space.
Here, the West Coast in question is that of Australia, not the US, with the malt bill of pilsner, American ale and carapils the platform for Aussie hop Eclipse to shine alone. Those familiar with the hop will recognise its big citrus character – mandarin and orange – but there's also some pine hiding in there as well with a little sticky malt sweetness. It is grippy, with a solid mouthfeel and a balanced yet noticeable bitterness.
Matt King
Published February 5, 2024 2024-02-05 00:00:00
