Urban Alley straddle old world and new with these spring releases, one of which was created as part of their Oktoberfest celebrations, the other continuing their fondness for brewing hazy IPAs.
Given Oktoberfest is back in hibernation for another year – the celebrations, at least, as there's still plenty of festbiers around – let's start with the punnily-named Ein Stein. This amber lager / Märzen could be described easily enough as liquid pretzels. That said, there's a bit more lurking in the copper-coloured drop than that, not least a touch of floral hop aromas, some apricot-y fruit spice, and a spicy bitterness that's there to dry out the rich biscuity, bready malts.
Leaping forward from Bavarian traditions to a beer much more of the 2020s we have Siren's Call. This hazy IPA could just as easily be called a milky IPA, such is the denseness of the pale haze; it looks a little like frothy pineapple juice. Alongside the ubiquitous Citra hops are Sabro and its daughter, Talus, with Sabro and its coconut creamy nature presumably contributing to the creaminess that hits first, and Talus bringing rind and resin. Aroma / flavour-wise, young mango leads the way, with said citrus rind contributing to a surprisingly grippy bitterness.
James Smith
Published Today 2024-11-01 00:00:00
