This double drop from Cornella Brewery features beers that both bear the name of previous releases from the Victorians, which is something outside the norm for a brewery that prefers its limiteds ephemeral, but is not without reason.
Fourteen months ago, Cornella Brewery released Cosmic Slop, a homage to a legendary club night in the northern English town Leeds that proved to be a standout hit for the brewery, flaunting psychedelic artwork of which the Cornella team were particularly fond. Cosmic Slop Vol 2 is differentiated from its predecessor by minor changes to the ingredients, as well as subtle tweaks to the graphics, but in essence it's the same Galaxy-and Nectaron-showcasing DIPA.
Pouring slightly hazy with a persistent white head, it presents tropical grapefruit aromas both on the nose and palate. Vol 2 retains the core characteristics of the original, but it has a somewhat firmer malt backbone and a more resinous, sweet and bitter finish.
In March 2024, in time for St Patrick’s Day, Cornella released a dry Irish stout named Old Town, aimed at satiating dark beer lovers through the winter. But, with stores depleted before the end of April, the brewery sought to follow up with something in the same vein that would capitalise on the success of the original. Featuring the tagline “Beers From The Pub”, Old Town Dark Ale continues the dark, malt-driven theme, and salutes no-nonsense, working-class UK-style ales.
With a hue somewhere between an porter and a brown ale, a combination of roasted malt and chocolate, a smooth and creamy mouthfeel, medium bitterness and a dry finish effortlessly warms the cockles on a chilly winter’s night – open fire recommended. If not for its 4 percent ABV, this medium-bodied beer would sit squarely in dark mild territory, a space that's been growing in popularity for British craft brewers for a few years now, and seems to be enjoying a revival across Australia now too.
Daniel Ridd
Published June 18, 2024 2024-06-18 00:00:00
