As one of Otherside’s most anticipated hop forward releases every year, new head brewer Andy Scade describes Headliner 2024 as a fight between the respective favourites of fellow brewers Andrew Skipp and Rob Sutton: the former loves US hops, the latter is obsessed with those from NZ. Judging by the five varieties included here, it seems their lupulin tussle resolved with a little por ques no los dos, albeit with Rob’s amour tipping this year’s balance.
So, what does that mean? Simcoe and Citra (US) meet Motueka and Waimea (NZ), with a third Kiwi – Nelson Sauvin Hop Kief – securing the win for our trans-Tasman neighbours. There’s malt presence too, although its lean yet juicy presence doesn't distract, save for balancing a deceptive building bitterness and a veiled resinous flow.
And what of the hoppy quintet? Well, that’s more cohesive than you might assume, as if years of being the main act have brought refinement and an assured swagger rather than enduring youthful brashness: at 66 IBUs this Headliner sits around the early 2010s level of hoppy outrage before the escalating IBU wars collapsed into soft, beerified fruit juice.
Those looking for it should find muted OJ and ruby grapefruit melding into pan-tropical notes, a flitter of melon and white grape adding sparkle, before a precipitous drop into an arid finish and booze warmth.
Guy Southern
Published October 11, 2024 2024-10-11 00:00:00
