The first time I sampled (well, had a pint of) Bells Beach's black IPA was when they were hosting a Metallica cover band at their Torquay brewery. Very appropriate, don't you think? That said, Tidal Shift 13 – so called as it's the 13th in a series of IPA releases from the brewery – isn't as brutal as some of the music pounding from the stage that night. There's an oily, almost creamy texture to the beer which ensures the roast barley doesn't come across too, well, roasty, while the use of Midnight Wheat and Eclipse to add colour without bitterness means they were able to use a little less roast barley anyway.
I suspect the Talus hops (present alongside Simcoe) played a role here too: they're the daughter of Sabro which is known for its coconut oil / cream character. As for the flavours, you'll discover silky dark chocolate, coffee essence, and a herbal almost mint leaf hop character.
Equally suited to that gig is Groundswell 4 Cherry Bourbon Imperial Stout, but given it tips the scales at 11.4 percent ABV I'm quite glad I saved it for another day. Built upon a base of eight malt varieties, the beer spent 12 months in ex-bourbon barrels before being dosed with "lashings of cherries". If Tidal Shift 13 kept its roast under wraps, Groundswell 4 does the opposite with the bourbon character: sweet and spicy, it's prominent throughout, warranting the use of "lashings" in the way it rides over the thick, sticky, rich chocolate imperial stout. The cherries add a touch of tartness to the finish, where the undemonstrative hops and roasted malts do their best to insert a little drying bitterness.
James Smith
Published August 16, 2024 2024-08-16 00:00:00
