Margaret River Beer Co can’t seem to stop the limited release train now their new brewing facility is running full tilt. They’re coming so fast, in fact, that they’ve released not one but two at once in collaboration with Mane Liquor, Grain Cru and Liquor Barons Marmion.
The duo, released under the Criss Cross moniker, comes loaded with New Zealand hops: Outbound is a DDH NZ IPA; Inbound an NZ IPL.
Starter with the latter, Inbound lands in that hoppy lager sweet spot: modest clarity and a light malt base heaving with crisp white wine notes, tropical juice, grassiness and a touch of something more phenolic. It finishes clean and bright as a good IPL should, with Motueka lending some citrus notes that persist after each sip. Its 5.2 percent ABV keeps approachability in check and lets the clean, generous hopping shine through.
Outbound, on the other hand, leans a smidge heavier courtesy of its big tropical disposition. Double dry hopping with Moutere, Nelson Sauvin and Motueka, plus Subzero Hop Kief and Clayton Hops' Amplifire oil and pellets – read about these new hop products here – give this beer a concentrated hop profile that lends sticky resin to the palate plus a sizeable nose featuring everything from diesel, overripe apricot and fresh cut grass to navel oranges and sticky pine. The boosted ABV is necessary here to balance Outbound's richer, sweeter side in a body with just a hint of malt character.
Their collaborators cleverly show the scope and diversity of New Zealand hops with Criss Cross, giving drinkers a view of hops from across the Tasman two ways.
Jono Outred
Published September 16, 2024 2024-09-16 00:00:00
