The Kalash is one of great highlight’s of Melbourne’s dark beer calendar, with the barrel-aged beauties bursting out of barrel in time for winter each year. For 2024’s release, Hop Nation are marking the moment with a trip down memory lane too by pairing the newest two barrel-aged beers with previously vintages (you can grab a ticket (here)[on.com.au/products/the-kalash-vertical-tasting-event-2024]).
So, what lies in wait from the latest couple of cans? The Kalash Imperial Stout spent four months in bourbon barrels and it seems it was time well spent thanks to how the lad’s come out the otherside. At The Crafty Pint, we’re banned from using the word decadent in winter so at the risk of being fired: this is one decadent beer. There’s a whole lot of chocolate fudge to be found and it's made all the more rich by a flavour that's a bit more like a premium dark choccy milk. Spend some time getting to know the beer and you'll also find lasting vanilla characters, licorice, tar and slight touch of spice that reins in the otherwise very decadent beer.
As for the Whisky Edition, that spent time in barrels from Melbourne’s own Bakery Hill and it’s quite a different creation all together. Largely, that’s thanks Bakery Hill's peated edge that brings salinity, iodine and a touch of smoke to another rich and chocolatey serve of beer that's a touch bit more warming and fulsome compared to its sibling (an extra 3.0 percent of ABV can do that afterall).
Will Ziebell
Alongside the tasting, The Kalash launch on June 5 will see the brewery crew and Andrew Baker from Bakery Hill chat all things beer and whisky. Details are here.
Published May 31, 2024 2024-05-31 00:00:00
