It feels like Ocean Reach have squished a few of their favourites things into one release here: beers with shared characteristics put out as a duo; eye-catching artwork (in this case, comic book nods to South American empires of centuries past); IPA.
The pairing of sibling beers with popping art is something they've been doing well for a while – we highlighted the approach in our 2023 look back at the best of beer in Victoria – and I suspect many people who spot these in the wild will be eager to see what's inside.
In the case of Found Treasure, it's a West Coast IPA keener to burrow deep in the weeds than come at you like an exploding fruitbowl. There are dank, dark citrus aromas but, for the most part, the toffee brittle / caramel malt base acts as home to an earthy, piney, resinous bitterness with plenty in the tank.
With Lost Odyssey, the Phillip Island brewers head to the East Coast, although the beer comes across as more of a hybrid. It's not as fluffy, creamy or fulsome as earlier hazy IPAs from that part of the States; instead, it's pretty crisp for a hazy, with a nicely tight 'n' bitter finish. That doesn't mean it's lacking in fruitiness; very much in the tropical camp, it's the jauntier of the pair with mango, melon and NZ savvy B aromas backed by a touch of grassiness.
Whether you're lost or found, if you're an IPA fan then this Ocean voyage is a trip worth taking.
James Smith
Published November 3, 2024 2024-11-03 00:00:00
